The vacation purchasing season is already in full swing, and AARP Arkansas has some recommendations on tips on how to keep away from changing into a sufferer of fraud or identification theft.
The newest AARP Fraud Watch Community report finds the most typical issues this yr are associated to on-line purchasing, empty present playing cards and bundle supply scams.
Ashley McBride, state director of AARP Arkansas, stated present playing cards are favorites for many individuals, however scammers can manipulate present playing cards on retailer racks, and may use software program to look on-line for activated playing cards with balances.
“Present playing cards are very fashionable, with 67% of customers planning to buy one this vacation season,” McBride reported. “Elevated threat comes with elevated reputation; 26% of US shoppers say they’ve given or acquired a present card with no stability.”
AARP really helpful individuals buy a present card instantly from the cardboard issuer’s web site, moderately than off a rack at a bodily retailer, to make sure the cardboard has a reputable stability on it for items from the service provider.
McBride additionally warned in opposition to buying from on-line or social media adverts utilizing what she calls peer-to-peer apps like Venmo, Zelle and Money App, to pay for gadgets. She suggested the most secure method to make use of the cost providers is with trusted contacts.
“These are rising in reputation, with 53% of customers saying it is possible that they are going to use a kind of this vacation season,” McBride acknowledged. “However these apps present a possibility for criminals to extend the fraud, and to take cash with little to no repercussions from the buyer and little to no method for the buyer to get their a reimbursement.”
She advised it might be higher to make use of bank cards, which have extra client protections constructed into the acquisition.
And whereas individuals are purchasing on-line, McBride cautioned to by no means click on on a hyperlink instantly from social media, or an unsolicited e mail or textual content saying they’re having supply points with a bundle.
“It is best to sort the online handle of the positioning that you just want to go to instantly into your browser,” McBride really helpful. “And in addition know that retailers won’t ever contact you instantly about an issue and request login data.”
She added for transport points, join instantly with the retailer or the transport provider. And if you happen to suppose you have been focused for fraud, you may contact the AARP Fraud Watch Community helpline at 877-908-3360.
Disclosure: AARP Arkansas contributes to our fund for reporting on Shopper Points, Well being Points, Starvation/Meals/Diet, and Senior Points. If you want to assist help information within the public curiosity, click on right here.
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As a showdown looms in Congress over whether or not to lift the federal debt ceiling, AARP Arizona is among the many teams voicing issues about the way forward for Social Safety and Medicare.
Dana Marie Kennedy, state director of AARP Arizona, stated they’re applications Arizonans have paid into and now rely upon for his or her livelihoods. Regardless of leaders in each events insisting Social Safety and Medicare are “off the desk,” she stated some Republican lawmakers are nonetheless eyeing trimming these applications to handle finances issues.
Kennedy emphasised AARP will struggle potential cuts.
“It feels a bit bit like déjà vu,” Kennedy remarked. “Now we have been down this highway earlier than. It is actually outrageous to even counsel that — reducing Social Safety and Medicare — in any deal. Now we have a robust message to ‘preserve your palms off of Social Safety and Medicare.’ “
Greater than 1.4 million Arizonans obtain Social Safety advantages, and greater than 1.3 million depend on Medicare for well being protection. Kennedy burdened the applications are very important for Arizonans to remain afloat, particularly with the results of inflation and better price of dwelling.
Kennedy identified cuts to the applications would depart older Arizonans with troublesome choices. The state is already seeing a wave of seniors experiencing homelessness for the primary time attributable to increased housing prices.
She acknowledged the latest will increase to Social Safety advantages have been useful, however stated with inflation, it “looks as if a wash.”
“That does not imply that it would not assist their pocketbooks,” Kennedy famous. “However we definitely should not be reducing any advantages at this cut-off date, when inflation is so excessive.”
Kennedy added the federal government must honor its commitments and never have debates on points behind closed doorways. She acknowledged older Arizonans need elected officers to do their jobs, cease partisan bickering and convey bipartisan options to the desk.
Disclosure: AARP Arizona contributes to our fund for reporting on Price range Coverage & Priorities, Shopper Points, Well being Points, and Senior Points. If you want to assist help information within the public curiosity, click on right here.
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Southern Oregon continues to get better from the fires of 2020 and grants are serving to residents within the area. The Almeda Hearth in Jackson County devastated the cities of Expertise and Phoenix. About 1,700 manufactured houses have been destroyed, and greater than half of these houses have been in communities for individuals age 55 and older. A lot of these of us are nonetheless displaced. AARP Oregon has donated $10,000 {dollars} to Firebrand Resiliency Collective to assist with restoration.
Government Director Tucker Teutsch stated there are a selection of limitations to restoration for older residents.
“We skilled this fireplace on high of COVID and its personal supply-chain points but in addition the most important building-supply value bubble that I feel any of us have ever seen,” he stated. “So, that revenue disparity in that group actually prevented individuals from having the ability to buy new houses or construct new houses.”
Teutsch added incapacity is one other barrier. His group has additionally centered on victims’ entry to expertise and their social circles, each of which have been struggles for older Oregonians.
The Rogue Valley Council of Governments’ senior and incapacity providers has additionally offered a $5,000 grant to Firebrand Resiliency Collective.
Constance Wilkerson, senior and incapacity providers director, stated like Firebrand Resiliency Collective, her group helps with the heightened want for catastrophe preparedness within the area. She added it is going to take a very long time to rebuild however efforts are underneath method in Expertise and Phoenix.
“It is actually heartening to see companies are being rebuilt and opening, gardens are being planted across the new houses which are bobbing up, and plenty of houses are underneath development,” Wilkerson stated.
She stated the Group Motion Company of Jackson County’s Heart for Group Resilience is the purpose of contact for hearth survivors within the area.
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In her fifth State of the State handle this week, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer emphasised insurance policies designed to place more cash in Michiganders’ pockets.
The second-term Democrat included a number of proposals, together with a plan to chop the tax on retirement revenue, that performed effectively with Michigan seniors.
Melissa Seifert, affiliate state director for presidency affairs at AARP Michigan, stated the governor’s speech set a optimistic tone for the brand new legislative session. She stated her group’s priorities embody extra funding for long-term care and assist for the state’s caregivers.
“Proper now, 68% of Michigan’s Medicaid {dollars} truly go to nursing houses,” she stated. “We wish to see a rebalancing of these {dollars}, to place again into sources for dwelling and community-based providers.”
Seifert stated AARP can be watching laws to decrease drug costs, broaden entry to reasonably priced housing and make it simpler for individuals to avoid wasting for retirement.
Republican lawmakers, within the minority for the primary time in years, have stated they will await the governor’s proposed finances earlier than passing judgment on her applications.
Seifert stated lawmakers have to discover a answer to the disaster in Michigan’s direct-care trade, the place she stated poor wages and dealing situations have led an annual worker turnover price of as much as 80%.
“We wish to see Medicaid wages enhance for direct-care employees by $4,” she stated. “And we’re additionally asking for an funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to supply retention bonuses for direct-care employees.”
Seifert stated she believes house is one of the best place for seniors to get care, however stated that it usually results in lengthy hours and excessive stress for members of the family doing the caregiving. She stated it is essential for the state to develop and supply sources for these households.
“It is estimated that 1.73 million Michiganders are household caregivers,” she stated. “So, we’re a really massive chunk of Michigan’s inhabitants. We wish to create Caregiving Useful resource Facilities to supply data and sources for those who want it.”
The Michigan Legislature opened on Jan. 12 and can meet periodically by Dec. 28.
Disclosure: AARP Michigan contributes to our fund for reporting on Well being Points, Livable Wages/Working Households, Senior Points. If you want to assist help information within the public curiosity, click on right here.
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