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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Tips for Protection from Scammers Trying to Steal Holiday Cheer

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Monday, December 13, 2021   

PORTLAND, Ore. - People are out and about, shopping for the holidays. Unfortunately, scammers are looking to take advantage of their good cheer.

Carmel Snyder, director of advocacy and outreach with AARP Oregon, said the season offers plenty of opportunities for thieves.

"The point isn't to take the joy out of this time of year," said Snyder, "when we're talking about it or the fun out of gift-giving, but to help you be aware so you can protect yourself and your loved ones."

According to a new AARP survey, more than a third of American adults have experienced fraud when buying a product through an online ad. Snyder said it's best to steer clear of these ads altogether when shopping online.

"Avoid clicking on links, even if you think the message or ad is from a familiar retailer," said Snyder. "Instead, use your web browser and type the web address you know to be the right one to avoid getting sent to a cloned site."

Snyder said scammers use cloned sites that look like legitimate sites to steal people's information.

Package deliveries also are ripe for theft and fraud. The AARP survey finds a quarter of people responding have had a package stolen from outside their home and more than third have received a fake notification about a shipment.

Snyder said don't respond to these messages, and be on the lookout for red flags that make the message sound urgent.

Scammers try to pressure people to act quickly before they have time to think about what they're doing.

Snyder also said people shouldn't be embarrassed to report scams because they could be helping someone else.

"These are professionals," said Snyder. "They do this all the time, they're very sophisticated and they're good at what they do. They steal billions of dollars from Americans every year."

Snyder hosts Watchdog Wednesday, a webinar where experts share tips on how to avoid scams. She said the event will become a podcast in 2022.



Disclosure: AARP Oregon contributes to our fund for reporting on Consumer Issues, Health Issues, Livable Wages/Working Families, Senior Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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