PERSONAL SAFETY Watch for a new wave of con artists trying to get into your wallot

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Well, May is in the books and we survived another pollen-apalooza where, as divided as this country seems at times, we are all unified in Georgia by our green cars, itchy eyes, congestion, and headaches.

It does, however, signal the end of the winter cold and the arrival of the Gods of Humidity who, in my case, bestow on me the ability to sweat enough for three showers minimum every day. I can make the short walk to the mailbox and return looking like I just crossed the Sahara.

In the spirit of Mr. Blackwell’s list of best dressed, AARP came out with a list of the hottest frauds right now. Some have been discussed before and some are new.

How about Zoom phishing? If you use Zoom often enough, this one may sneak up on you. You receive an email stating your account is suspended or that you missed an important meeting. To correct it, a link is provided.

The link, of course, is the trick. It’s intended to download malicious software to search for personal information. Needless to say: don’t click the link. Zoom’s real website is www. zoom.us. You can always verify if you suspect fraudulent activity.

I use Zoom rarely, mostly because I look worse every time I see myself on video. If the light is just right, I look amazingly like Boris Karloff. Not easy to pull off.

Another new way scammers have found to rip people off during the pandemic involves copying vaccine cards posted online. Here is a hint: don’t post your vaccine card on your social media. Your information is on the card. Scammers surfing Facebook and Instagram will see your information. Just tell your family and friends that you got the shot, if that seems necessary.

A more familiar hack is the online shopping fraud. The site looks legit, complete with the company logo and an offer of great prices and limited deals, but before you go all in, check the site with the Better Business Bureau’s online directory at www.bbb.org.

Then there are the online romance scams. Apparently, scammers are branching out from dating sites in their quest for victims. Now they’re showing up in online prayer groups, book clubs, and game sites such as Words with Friends.

According to one recent article, con artists can lure victims into sites such as Google Hangouts or Facebook Messenger, where they eventually hit up their new friends for money. Lonely soldier overseas, or the doctor in another country who used his own funds to help heal the sick and now has no money to get back to the states, and to you, of course. Sometimes, these online communications last months, meaning the scammer can hone his skills.

Medicare fraud showed a significant increase with the onset of the virus. Pandemicrelated services including Medicare cards with chips and vaccine upgrades for relatives that are promised, but require verification of the intended victim’s Medicare number.

Regardless how they approach you, by phone, email or in person, hang up, delete, and shut the door. COVID-19 vaccines are free. Never give your Medicare number out and remember Medicare will not contact you soliciting services for a fee.

Venmo, PayPal, Zell, and other cash-transfer services also are popular — meaning subject

Steve Rose is a retired Sandy Springs Police Captain, veteran Fulton County police officer and freelance writer. He is the author the book “Why Do My Mystic Journeys Always Lead to the Waffle House?” and the column “View from a Cop.”

to fraud. One such con is the “accidental transfer,” in which the scammers sends hundreds of dollars to your account from a stolen credit card, then notify you the transfer was “accidental” and should be refunded. Seeing this as an honest mistake, you send the funds. Eventually, the money from the stolen credit card is removed from your account and you are out the money that you sent. If you see “Accidental Transfer” on your e-mail, get your guard up.

As always, hackers want to scam you using Social Security.

One such attempt involves contacting the intended victim, informing them their Social Security number was used in a crime and the victim is subject to arrest. For instance, they may say your number was used to rent a car that was used to transport drugs and the DEA is on the way to your home to arrest you unless you send money to take care of the rental fee or “legal” matters. The phone number used is often “spoofed” to appear to be from Washington, D.C. or New York.

The goal is to hit you with this information, demand a quick response to keep you from giving the situation time so that you can think things out. Remember that if this message, any message, is that important, they will call back.

Text messaging cons are similar to the email scams. We expect them to appear occasionally on email, but not as a text message. It is the same goal. A link is left for you to click on. Don’t click on it. Time is always in your favor. Take time to think.

One more thing, don’t cut corners on the installing and maintaining of your security software. So, in the words of the great comedian George Carlin, “May the forces of evil become confused on the way to your house.”

MARGY MANCHESTER

Resident since 2006

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For more than 50 years, AARP Foundation Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) has provided people over age 55 with opportunities to fill entry-level and mid-level positions with employers in their communities.

SCSEP trainees are placed in a variety of community service activities at nonprofit and public facilities like day care and senior centers, schools and hospitals. This on-the-job training experience can be a bridge to find employment opportunities outside of the program. Participants work an average of 20 hours a week and are paid the highest federal, state or local minimum wage.

You must be age 55 or older, unemployed and financially qualified. Please contact your local office to learn more about the financial qualifications.

AARP Foundation SCSEP program (CFDA 17.235) is funded with $77,808,096 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Labor. This funding provides 90% of the support for SCSEP, with the AARP Foundation matching 10% ($8.774,913 million). AARP Foundation operates in 21 states and Puerto Rico.

We provide participants with training and support services that are important for funding future employment. The services include Individual Employment Plan (IEP) development, specialized training to prepare for placements, wages and fringe benefits, annual physicals and assistance in securing future employment.

You could be placed in a wide variety of community service positions at both nonprofit and public facilities including day care and senior centers, governmental agencies, schools, hospitals and libraries. These training assignments help build the skills and experience needed to obtain future employment. Additional training through lectures, seminars, one-on-one instruction, training programs and community colleges may also be provided

L earn more at aarpfoundation.org