Scam Alert: Beware of What You Share!
Identity thefts and scams are rampant in Suffield. The Suffield Police report that they receive calls concerning identity theft and scams at least once a day. It is important to know that the victims of these attacks are not just the elderly. Teens. Millennials. The Middle-Aged. Businesses. Seniors. We are all victims.
It’s impossible to catalog all of the scams but they are similar, if slightly different. And they are also seasonal. It is tax season now and scammers are out in full force. But in the last winter holiday season, scams were up 129%. Typically, during the tax season, scammers masquerade as an IRS agent who wants to verify personal and financial information over the phone. Or they claim your taxes are in arrears and payment is needed immediately. Or a refund was deposited in the wrong bank account. Hang up on any of these phone calls! Delete those emails! Scammers are clever but they can’t steal from you if you are aware of their tactics.
In an effort to warn caregivers, sons and daughters of senior citizens, and all Suffield residents of what the current scams and identity thefts are, several community groups are banding together to spread the word. The Suffield Police, Suffield Community Aid, the Suffield Senior Center, Suffield Housing, and Kent Memorial Library are presenting programs in March and April alerting of these dangers. At the programs, a Suffield police officer will describe various scams and identity thefts, teach people how to identify them, and what to do. Handouts will be provided at each meeting.
Scam Alert Meetings
March 19, 7 p.m. at Kent Memorial Library, 61 Ffyler Place
April 3, 11 a.m. at Suffield Senior Center, 145 Bridge Street
April 11, Noon at Maple Court Recreation Room, 81 Bridge Street
April 25, Noon at Laurel Court Recreation Room, 81 Bridge Street
April 25, 6:30 p.m. at Suffield Police Department, Amiel Zak Community Room, 911 Mountain Road
Other Events
Healthy Creations Cooking Demo – Tuesday, April 23 at 2:30 p.m. Welcome back TouchPoints chefs. Please register for this free event by April 19.
Introduction to Card Making – Tuesday, April 16 at 9:30 a.m. $10 for 4 cards.
Medicare is complicated! Trained volunteers are available to provide unbiased assistance on the first Wednesday and third Saturday of each month. Call for an appointment.
Parkinson’s Peer Support Group meets monthly on the second Monday of each month at 11:30 a.m. Topics vary monthly. Refreshments are served. For more information, call Janet at SCA at 860-668-1986.
Veterans Coffee Hour – April 26 at 8:30 a.m. with Wayne Rioux, Veteran and Veteran’s Liaison from Hartford Healthcare at Home. This is a great opportunity for Veterans to come together, ask questions, share stories, and build relationships.
English High Tea Party
Friday, May 3, 2-4 p.m.
Suffield Senior Center – Prizes awarded for the best hat! Great food, lots of tea varieties & fun raffle prizes.
Tickets – $10 available at the Senior Center or call Terry Arciszewski at 860-668-2274
Proceeds benefit the Suffield Senior Center.
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