How to find money, how to lose money
Those in attendance at Tuesday's meeting of the Ridgway Rotary gathered some valuable information from Rotarian, Judith Manno Stager.
Stager questioned if the members knew they had something in common. Looking around the room everyone present had a puzzled look on their face. What could many of them have in common?
“What you have in common is, you all have “found money,” Stager stated. “It can be found on a web site, patreasury.gov. Either you or a close family member could have their name on this site. All amounts of money are available for viewing. However, if you have over $100 it will show this information so a person knows it not just a few dollars,” added Stager.
According to Stager, this is a Pennsylvania web site controlled by the Commonwealth and if your name is on their very large list of names you are able to claim exactly what is owed you. Stager noted, there is no interest earned. It is worthwhile to check this site as you could have some “found money.” There is also a national registry site, missing money.com that covers most of the 50 states.
Finding money was the good news Stager shared. The bad news is many can, and have lost money from scammers. Some a little, and some a lot. It is a dangerous game that preys on the unknowing. Some Rotarians present acknowledged they had been scammed and it was a scary feeling knowing someone could get into you phone or computer and be so believing when speaking with you that in a blink of an eye, you were “had”.
However, there are red flags that one should be aware of. These scammers are professional and make you believe they will help you with your account that is over due, a credit card debt, a bank error, a major company, and the list goes on. These people prey on the unsuspecting and quite frequently senior citizens.
BEWARE: One of the red flags is, if they ask for your debit card, as they are for some reason not able to scam as easily on your credit card. Also, look for them asking for a “3rd party sharing device”, or ask you to go to a web site called “anydesk.com”. Some of the scammers will use a pop-up on your computer or call you on your phone. You also may receive an email in your personal account from a name you do not know telling you your account is over drawn or they have taken your yearly fee from your account, adding, if you do not have an annual fee with us please call the following number and they will help you delete it from your bank account. If you dial that number, then you are caught and they are into you computer.
How can you prevent this scammer from taking money and peace of mind from you? don't answer a call from a number you do not know. A lot of these scammers buy lists of phone numbers from companies so the area code looks like it from the area you reside in. don't open an email from someone you don't know. Delete it to the spam box on your email. Also, check and update your do not call list, change passwords frequently and make sure they are unusual, not your birth date or other personal information, check you fraud alert and remember this: Don't call a number you don't know. Don't answer a number you don't know.
Currently, in the Elk County area there have been a lot of reports to local and state police from those who have been scammed. One of the most recent calls being received shows an 814 area code and they very politely state they are calling about the upcoming Pennsylvania primary elections and ask what party you are registered with and if you are active in that party. This is dangerous information to give out as this is not the way political parties and local committees due business.
“Beware, there are scammers out there and they don't care who they hurt,” noted Stager.
The next meeting of the Ridgway Rotary is Tuesday, March 23 at noon, at Aiello's Cafe. New members are always welcome. Come and see what you can do to serve your community.