Resources Guide Update
During the past 4 months I have worked to update the Office for Aging and Disabled Citizens Resources Guide. The last copy was dated Summer 2012. As you can imagine, many business have closed or adjusted their services during this time. There is still more work to be done to complete this project! I have created a quick and easy way for service providers to let me know about their updated business information. If you are a new or established service provider for aging or disabled citizens in the Jefferson County area, please click HERE to enter your preferred contact, address, description and company logo. I will use these entries to make the final edits. Feel free to share within your provider networks as well. The new Resources Guide will be available on the OADC website in January 2022. Copies may be printed from that link. Thank you all for what you do for the citizens of Louisville and Jefferson County. If you have any questions or concerns about the new Resources Guide, please contact me at 502.574.5092 or allison.woosley@louisvilleky.gov
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Better Business Bureau 12 Scams of Christmas
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Misleading Social Media Ads: As you scroll through your social media feed, you often see items for sale from a small business. Sometimes the business even claims to support a charity to try to get you to order, or they offer a free trial. BBB Scam Tracker receives reports of people paying for items that they never receive, getting charged monthly for a free trial they never signed up for, or receiving an item that is counterfeit or much different from the one advertised. The 2020 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report found that online purchase scams were the most common cons reported to Scam Tracker and the category with the most victims. Do your homework and research the company before ordering. Check out the business profile on BBB.org and read the reviews.
Social Media Gift Exchanges: Each holiday season this scheme pops back up, and this year is no different. A newer version of this scam revolves around exchanging bottles of wine; another suggests purchasing $10 gifts online. Another twist asks you to submit your email into a list where participants get to pick a name and send money to strangers to "pay it forward." There is even a twist about "Secret Santa Dog" where you buy a $10 gift for your "secret dog." In all of these versions, participants unwittingly share their personal information, along with those of their family members and friends, and are further tricked into buying and shipping gifts or money to unknown individuals. And-- it's an illegal pyramid scheme.
Holiday Apps: Apple's App Store and Google Play list dozens of holiday-themed apps where children can video chat live with Santa, light the menorah, watch Santa feed live reindeer, track his sleigh on Christmas Eve, or relay their holiday wish lists. This holiday season, like last year when COVID-19 caused children to skip the traditional in-person visit with Santa, apps may play a more important role than ever. Review privacy policies to see what information will be collected. Be wary of free apps, as they can sometimes contain more advertising than apps that require a nominal fee. Free apps can also contain malware.
Alerts About Compromised Accounts: BBB has been receiving reports on Scam Tracker about a con claiming your Amazon, Paypal, Netflix or bank account has been compromised. Victims receive an email, call, or text message which explains that there has been suspicious activity on one of their accounts, and it further urges them to take immediate action to prevent the account from being
compromised. Be extra cautious about unsolicited calls, emails, and texts.
Free Gift Cards: Nothing brings good cheer like the word 'FREE'. Scammers have been known to take advantage of this weakness by sending bulk phishing emails requesting personal information to receive free gift cards. In some of these emails, scammers impersonate legitimate companies like Starbucks and promise gift cards to loyal customers that have been supporting their business throughout the pandemic. They may also use pop-up ads or send text messages with links saying you were randomly selected as the winner for a prize. If you have received an unsolicited email with gift card offers, do not open it. Instead, mark it as Spam or Junk. However, if you opened the email, do not click on any links.
Puppy Scams: Many families, especially those with children, may be considering to add a furry friend to their household this year. However, you could fall victim to a pet scam, which are on the rise this year. Request to see the pet in person before making a purchase.
Temporary Holiday Jobs: Retailers typically hire seasonal workers to help meet the demands of holiday shoppers. Shippers and delivery services are top holiday employers this year because of the increase in online orders and the need to get most of these packages delivered before Christmas. These jobs are a great way to make extra money, sometimes with the possibility of turning into a
long-term employment opportunity. However, jobseekers need to be wary of employment scams aimed at stealing money and personal information from job applicants. Keep an eye out for opportunities that seem too good to be true.
Look-Alike Websites: The holiday season brings endless emails offering deals, sales and bargains. Be wary of emails with links enclosed. Some may lead to look-alike websites created by scammers to trick people into downloading malware, making dead-end purchases and sharing private
information. If you are uncertain about the email, do not click any of the links. Instead, hover over them to see where they reroute.
Fake Charities: Typically, 40% of all charitable donations are received during the last few weeks of the year. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many organizations had to cancel their usual fundraising events and awareness campaigns and are now inviting donors to support online. Donors are advised to lookout for fraudulent charities and scammers pretending to be individuals in need. Avoid impromptu donation decisions to unfamiliar organizations. Responsible organizations will welcome a gift tomorrow as much as they do today. Verify a charity at BBB's give.org or on the Canada Revenue Agency website. Where possible, donate to the charity through their website and use a credit card.
Fake Shipping Notifications: More consumers are making purchases online, there is also an increase in the number of notifications about shipping details from retailers and carriers. Scammers are using this new surge to send phishing emails with links enclosed that may allow unwanted access to your private information or download malware onto your device. They may also try to trick people into paying new shipping fees.
Pop Up Holiday Virtual Events: This year, many local in-person events such as pop-up holiday
markets or craft fairs, have moved online. Scammers are creating fake event pages, social media
posts, and emails, charging admission for what used to be a free event. The goal is to steal credit
card information. Confirm with the organizer of the event if there is an admission fee. In the cases
where there is a charge, use a credit card. If the event is free, watch for scammers trying to claim
otherwise.
Top Holiday Wishlist Items: Low or ridiculously priced luxury goods, jewelry, designer clothing, and electronics are almost always cheap counterfeits and knockoffs. This year, the Galactic Snackin’ Grogu Animatronic ( Baby Yoda) and game consoles are some of the items in high demand. Be very cautious when considering to purchase these high-value items from individuals through social sites.
For more information, visit the BBB HERE
Help Get Older Adults to Vaccine and Booster Appointments
NCOA is partnering again with Lyft! Now through December 31, a new ride redemption code can be used to help older adults get transportation to a COVID vaccine or booster appointment—or any other service they might need. There are no location restrictions and the cost is covered up to $50 round trip. The new code will only be available while funding lasts or when it expires at the end of the year, whichever comes first.
Click HERE to get the code
Christmas Cards for Seniors
Catholic Charities wants to collect, write and deliver more than 10,000 cards to seniors in Long-Term Care facilities during the holiday season.
Cards must be dropped off at 2911 S. 4th Street
due by December 6th.
 For more information, or to schedule a drop off, contact Moira at 502.965.8303 or HERE
December is National Identity Theft Prevention and Awareness Month: Use these tips to protect yourself
Scammers and Phishing. Watch for scammers using phone calls or “phishing” emails falsely claiming to be from a company, credit reporting agency, or government agency, and be very careful about clicking on links that may lead you to legitimate-looking websites urging you to give up personal information. Never respond to pop-up ads that ask for personal or financial information.
Fraud Alert. Consider placing a free “fraud alert” on your credit report.
Credit Report. Check your credit reports for free.
Monitor Accounts. Carefully monitor communications from anyone you have an account with or obtain a service from. Regularly review your transactions, accounts, and debit and credit cards. Watch for other warning signs that your identity or credit information has been misused, such as: receiving credit cards for accounts that you did not open; receiving an address or account change notice you did not initiate; being denied credit or favorable credit terms for no apparent reason; receiving collection calls for accounts that you do not know are late; or you suddenly stop receiving statements from a creditor for no good reason.
Call your bank or the merchant if you see mistakes or signs of misuse, and ask that any fraudulent charges be removed. Ask the bank or merchant whether you should close the account or replace it with a new one.
If you have an online account, consider changing your password and pin numbers. Log in to that account and change your password. If possible, also change your username. If you can't log in, contact the company. Ask them how you can recover or shut down the account.
If you use the same password anywhere else, change that, too.
Monitor your child's or ward's identity regularly to be sure no accounts are opened in his or her name. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com or to a credit reporting agency's website for information on how to check with the credit reporting agencies to see if a credit history has been established in the name of your child or ward.
Security Freeze. Consider placing a credit freeze for you or your child or ward.
Taxes. File your taxes early before a scammer can. Respond right away to letters from the IRS.
Don't believe anyone who calls and says you'll be arrested unless you pay for taxes or debt even if they have part or all of your Social Security number or they say they're from the IRS.
Learn More. Review the FTC's information on Identify Theft and Child Identity Theft.
For additional information, visit the Kentucky Office of Senior Protection HERE
Every winter, people reach out to the Coalition for the Homeless to offer donations and support for people experiencing homelessness during our coldest months. And while we frequently refer Louisvillians back to partner agencies, this year, we wanted to provide a more helpful guide.
The truth is that these organizations—nonprofits, grassroots outreach groups, and others who serve people living on the streets and in shelters—often have very specific needs for the people they serve. They know which specific supplies they need, and how much space they have to store things, and when they will need volunteers. So we put together this list, with the goal of guiding Louisvillians eager to help the people in our community in the ways that are most critical this winter.
To make a donation to the Coalition for the Homeless click HERE
Helping Older Adults Prepare for 3G Network Shutdowns
3G wireless networks are scheduled to shut down next year, which will prevent older cell phones that utilize these networks from making or receiving calls or using data services. In addition to cell phones, other connected devices such as certain medical devices, alert systems, and security systems that use 3G network services will be impacted.
Although most people have devices on 4G or 5G networks, the shutdown will likely disproportionately impact older adults and low-income individuals, who may be using older phones, life alert systems, and other devices still on 3G. Connectivity is critically important in this time when people are utilizing telehealth services and connecting with the courts and service providers remotely.
Click HERE to view the Federal Communications Commission's Consume Guide for more details
Recipe of the Month
Cranberry Brie Bites
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