Alabama State

FinanceBuzz

Are you vulnerable to text message scams? Here are seven popular financial scam messages circulating today that you'll want to delete immediately.

These 7 Text Messages Are Almost Always Financial Scams

Senior citizens are often targets for scams, and as scams are getting more sophisticated, it’s getting easier to deceive even the most tech-savvy person. Elder fraud involves a variety of scams targeting seniors, from fake prizes to pleas for help from their “grandchildren,” resulting in an annual loss of $3 billion, according to the FBI. Seniors are often targeted due to their good credit, financial security, and trusting nature. Here are the top elderly fraud scams of the year:

Top 12 elderly fraud scams of 2024

The US Sun

YOU might be able to claim some cash from a $5.5 million wine and spirits settlement. You don't need to do anything to get your part of the payment. This lawsuit, initiated by Wiseman Park, LLC ("Plaintiff"), alleges that Southern Wine and Spirits charged excessive late fees on purchasing wine, beer, or liquor, per the settlement website.

Americans can receive one-time payment from $5.5 million overcharge settlement – and you don’t need any proof

With the emergence of AI and other new technologies, people have become more susceptible to scams online, especially older people. Seniors are targeted by scammers due to their little knowledge of the internet, so here are five scams that older people should look out for. If someone calls you claiming to be a government department and is asking for money, you should hang up, as that isn’t standard procedure and is likely a scam. While it may be a dream come true to receive a call telling you that you won the lottery, it is definitely a scam and you should hang up. If you receive an email that claims to be from Amazon and is asking for personal information, check the email address it comes from. Some scammers will ring you and say, “Can you hear me?” and while you may reply "yes," you should try not to, as they are recording your voice. Lastly, if you get a message from someone claiming to be a relative who is asking for money, make sure you verify the number.

5 Scams That Seniors Need To Avoid

Georgia State

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Douglas, GA

Daily Coffee Press

Last week, a 32-year-old was arrested on trafficking charges after allegedly fleeing from a traffic stop and abandoning the vehicle with a child in the passenger seat. The chase resulted in the discovery of 230 grams of methamphetamine, which the suspect allegedly threw out while fleeing on foot. According to local detectives, the vehicle the suspect was driving was registered to NFL football player Tyreek Hill.

Man Driving Vehicle Registered to Tyreek Hill Arrested on Drug Trafficking Charges in Douglas

Massachusetts State

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Camilo Díaz

(MA) Meet Gibson Band, a pocket-sized pup with a huge heart full of love. This 4-year-old Chihuahua grew up as an owned pup in a loving home. Unfortunately, Gibson's owners recently went through some unexpected life changes, and as such were no longer able to provide him with the care and love he needed. Now, Gibson is living safely with a foster family found through Great Dog Rescue New England. Despite loving his foster family, Gibson hopes he will not have to wait very long before he can make his final move to a furever home!

Tiny 8-Pound Chihuahua Searching For Love After Owner Forced To Surrender

Parade

There are multiple ways to block your phone number when calling someone.

Need to Make a Private Call? Here's How to Block Your Number

Ohio State

The Lantern

On Tuesday, licensed Ohio dispensaries began legally selling non-medical marijuana to consumers; however, the drug’s possession, growth and/or usage are still prohibited on Ohio State’s campus. Credit: Jefferee Woo/Tampa Bay Times/TNS [Original caption: Four citizen-led petitions with proposals to update Dallas’ charter hit the 20,000 valid signature threshold to make it on the Nov. 5 election ballot, including one that would ban police officers from arresting or citing people carrying less than four ounces of marijuana.] As of Tuesday, students 21 and older can now legally purchase marijuana in Ohio.

Dispensary sales of recreational marijuana began Tuesday; possession and usage still prohibited on Ohio State’s campus

THOUSANDS of people across the country are eligible for a one-time payment after a settlement has been reached in a lawsuit. A data breach in 2021 impacted over 710,000 Americans who were connected to the eye-care provider Nationwide Vision and Vision plan provider Sightcare. In agreeing to a $3.45 million...

Americans to get $300 payment from $3.45m pot after company ‘failed to protect them’ – certain customers will get $5,400

The chances for the tropical wave in the Atlantic developing have now risen to 80% over the next seven days. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has advised that this disturbance could become the next tropical storm or hurricane within the coming days, potentially targeting the U.S. East Coast.

Tropical Wave That Could Impact Georgia Now Has 80% Chance of Development

Chicago, IL

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Foodie in Chicago

Shortly before 3 AM, people in the Chicago area may have felt their houses shake as a 3.4-magnitude earthquake occurred about 60 miles west of the city. (CHICAGO) The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 3.4-magnitude earthquake around Somonauk, IL. Somonauk is in DeKalb and LaSalle Counties, 64 miles west of Chicago.

Did You Feel the Earthquake?

Tuskegee, AL

HUNDREDS of drivers are eligible for a refund after a mayor pulled a speed monitoring system from the roads. Drivers may receive a check in the mail refunding up to $330 in road law violation tickets. Tuskegee, Alabama’s ambitious automated camera traffic ticket initiative, which launched earlier this year, is now in limbo, according to […]

Hundreds of drivers to get one-time payment up to $330 as tickets are thrown out & enforcement put on hold over lawsuit

Florida State

Jacksonville Today

Republican Donald Trump has a 7-point lead over Democrat Kamala Harris among Florida voters, 49% to 42%, according to a new poll from the University of North Florida. Four percent are backing another candidate, and 6% are undecided or didn’t answer.

New Florida poll: Trump leads; support strong for abortion and recreational weed

Polk County, FL

Fort Meade, FL

Uncovering Florida

The Polk County Sheriff's Office has made an arrest after conducting an investigation into a case of credit card fraud involving 28-year-old Burger King employee, Kellyn Miley. The incident was discussed in detail during this morning's briefing with Sheriff Grady Judd.

Burger King Employee Caught Using Customer's Credit Card for Food at Former Job

Jacksonville, FL

A former Jacksonville police officer pleaded guilty Tuesday to enticement of a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Josue Garriga III, 34, faces a mandatory penalty of 10 years to life in federal prison and must register as a sex offender. A sentencing date has not been set.

Former cop pleads guilty to enticing 17-year-old girl

Dianna Carney

Sandy Paws Rescue Inc., a foster-based rescue in Massachusetts, has recently introduced a tiny 8lb dog named Bingo who is looking for her forever home. Bingo is a 3-year-old Shih Tzu mix with an adorable appearance and a sweet disposition. However, she needs a patient and understanding owner who recognizes that "dogs are not toys, and not all dogs love to be picked up right away," explains Sandy Paws Rescue Inc. This little lady requires some decompression time upon arriving at her new home to settle in comfortably.

Meet The Sweet Little Lady Looking For Love

Appling County, GA

A 40-year-old man from Appling County, Christopher Eric Stone, with a significant criminal history, was recently sentenced to over five years in prison after pleading guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, according to officials from the Department of Justice.

Georgia Man Sentenced to Over 5 Years for in Federal Prison for Meth Distribution

Now, hackers and scammers could be looking for just your phone number. It’s called “port-out hijacking” or “SIM-swapping,” and it’s been a nightmare for those who’ve fallen victim to it. In one instance, someone received an email notification from their bank that a hacker was trying to transfer $20K from their credit card to an “unfamiliar Discover Bank account.” Once that was resolved, days later, another attempt to score $19K to that same account was attempted. In this lesser-known form of identity theft, the hackers take over your phone number, so even calls and text go directly to them…and not to you. In this type of hack, even two-factor authentication can be used against you. These scams are only going to increase, but you can still be proactive in protecting yourself by regularly changing passwords, signing out of apps that you’re not currently using, and being diligent about keeping your personal information off the internet. According to the FBI, complaints regarding “SIM-swapping” have increased 400% between 2018 and 2021 and have caused over $68 million in personal losses to the victims.

How Phone Number Theft Can Be Your Latest Scamming Nightmare

Protect your nest egg by knowing how to spot a retirement scam. From fake gift cards to identity theft, here are 10 popular scams that target retirees.

10 Types of Money Scams (Almost) Everyone Is Falling For

The Current GA

Since 2020, the condition known as long COVID-19 has become a widespread disability affecting the health and quality of life of millions of people across the globe and costing economies billions of dollars in reduced productivity of employees and an overall drop in the work force .

Elderly remain primary target for most scams

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