Page 16 - NBY News April 2020

“SOCIAL SECURITY SCAMS” BRIDGE BITES
Bridge Bites is sponsored by the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL). ACBL’s
By Dr.Sherry McCoy, PhD KUDOS TO OUR SSSAP Marketing Director, Vicki Campbell promotes Bridge Bites in the United States and
Stop Senior Scams! Acting Program* EDUCATORS Canada. NBY! provides a way to reach the bridge players of Southern California. It
Eva Greene is an attorney, encourages participation in duplicate bridge. There are dozens of bridge clubs in the
Stop Senior retired L.A. Public defender, LA area and they welcome players of every skill and experience level- many provide
lessons for newcomers to the game. Enjoy a engaging, stimulating game in a friendly
Scams from County DPSS Social worker, and social environment somewhere close by.
community educator and actor. She
Happening has been a part of SSSAP for ten years! Visit www.acbl.org and search the Club Directory to find a group near you.
Ann M. Stahl is an Adjunct
Professor in the Family and Consumer
It’s now April 2020, Sciences Department of
and I think it’s safe to California State University-
say that the most pressing concern we share Northridge, where she teaches courses
as a society is how best to protect ourselves in Consumer Protection and
and our loved ones from the Coronavirus. Consumer Education. After 44 years
And because a pandemic tends to bring out of service with FTC, she recently
the best AND the worst in us, it’s imperative retired as a Senior Investigator with
that we stay conscious and aware of the the Federal Trade Commission’s
many Coronavirus scams that are being Western Regional Office, Los Angeles.
perpetrated by con artists around the world. Ann Stahl is a welcome addition to
All of these fraudulent schemes have one SSSAP!
theme in common — it plays into our fears
about this virus. When we’re fearful, we’re If you have questions about Medicare
not thinking straight. And when we’re not fraud / abuse, or believe you have
thinking straight, we’re more likely to take been the victim of Medicare fraud
actions that are not in our best interests. So, contact the Senior Medicare Patrol
remember to stay informed. Knowledge is (SMP*) at 1-855-613-7080.
power. Here are some of the latest
Coronavirus scams. If you feel you have been the target
- Beware of price-gouging of items or victim of a scam, report it to the
in high demand during a pandemic. Federal Trade Commission
- Be on the lookout for fake cures, at 877-382-4357 or https://
fraudulent charities, counterfeit www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov. And
products, phishing emails. then — Pass It On!
- Beware of fake websites that
purport up-to-date info re virus – “A In addition, please utilize the U.S.
website mimicking the legitimate Johns Senate Special Committee on Aging’s
Hopkins University site, which is used to Fraud Hotline at 1-855-303-9470 to
track coronavirus cases worldwide, is being report scams. Contact the Los Angeles
spread across the internet.” County District Attorney’s office
online at http://da.lacounty.gov//
The FTC recommends you follow these or phone (213) 974-3512.
tips to protect yourself against Coronavirus
fraudulent schemes. https:// Remember: You may be a target,
www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/ but you don’t have to be a victim!
coronavirus-scams-what-ftc-doing. Also,
please take note that Medicare now covers
Coronavirus testing (https:// *Dr. Sherry McCoy, PhD, is a
www.medicare.gov/blog/medicare-now- freelance writer & actor for the Stop
covers-coronavirus-testing). However, the Senior Scams ! Acting Program
likelihood is great that in the days to come, (SSSAP) in Los Angeles. For more
con artists will develop creative ways of information, please contact Adrienne
trying to cash-in on our Medicare benefits. Omansky at SSSAP4U@gmail.com.
So, keep a watchful eye on your Medicare Follow SSSAP on Facebook at https:/
account. And finally, the latest updates on /www.facebook.com/SSSAP2016/
the Coronavirus can be found at Centers for ?fref=ts. Questions for the writer
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and
the World Health Organization (WHO). should be directed to “Dear Sherry”
at Not Born Yesterday! P.O. Box 722,
SSSAP ON HIATUS / UPCOMING Brea, CA 92822 or nbynews@juno.com.
PODCASTS — Because of health concerns
surrounding the Coronavirus, SSSAP is on
hiatus from performing in public venues. *********************
We look forward to the day when we can be
out on the road again and seeing everyone Not Born Yesterday! readers,
face-to-face. In the meantime, however, we we encourage you to read
are working behind the scenes to develop
podcasts about scams that target seniors. the ads and call for informa- ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○
Expect to be “hearing” from us – quite tion if you could use the
literally – in the near future! products or services of the ‘Stay Safe at All Times’ from the Not Born Yesterday Staff-
advertisers in this issue.. We appreciate that you enjoy the print publication and on line version. We
will find us online ONLY until the closures and limitations are lifted.

16 April 2020