Athens, GA

Columbus, OH

The US Sun

AMERICANS have the opportunity to claim a one-time payment from a billion-dollar class action settlement. Visa and Mastercard agreed pay $5.6 billion after consumers paid excessive fees to accept their payment cards. The lawsuit alleged that Visa and Mastercard violated the antitrust laws. Antitrust laws also referred to as competition laws, are statutes developed by […]

Americans to receive one-time payment from $5.6 billion Visa Mastercard settlement – and the deadline has been extended

Colorado State

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David Heitz

A bill quietly introduced this spring in the Colorado legislature to decriminalize the possession of drug paraphernalia obtained by harm reductionists has become law. As low-key as the legislation was introduced, the bill was signed into law without fanfare June 6. It garnered little to no media attention.

Colorado legalizes needles, pipes for meth and crack if obtained by harm reduction group

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

Salem, OH

Northern Kentucky Tribune

Every day, 8-year-old Emma sits in a small garden outside her grandmother’s home in Salem, Ohio, writing letters to her mom and sometimes singing songs her mother used to sing to her.

Thousands of parents die of overdoses; advocates say their kids need more help

Los Angeles, CA

Las Vegas, NV

SAN DIEGO, California — An indictment unsealed today alleges that five individuals participated in a massive fraud and money laundering scheme resulting in losses of more than $27 million to over 2,000 seniors. During a coordinated law enforcement operation this morning in Los Angeles, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada,...

Five arrested in $27 million fraud scheme targeting seniors

THOUSANDS of drivers are likely eligible for repayment after a company reached a $10 million settlement agreement with the Federal Trade Commission, of FTC. CarShield, a company that offered car owners service contracts and promised lower prices on maintenance fees, agreed to the payment. The company didn’t admit wrongdoing in the settlement. The FTC filed […]

Drivers to get direct payment from $10m settlement if they used monthly service – company ‘used celebs to trick people’

Douglas, GA

Daily Coffee Press

A man out on probation for drug charges less than a year ago and a woman from Douglas were recently arrested following a search at a local apartment. On August 7, 2024, at around 1:00 PM, Detectives from the Coffee County Sheriff's Office Drug Unit were conducting a proactive narcotics patrol in Douglas. During their patrol, a detective spotted 30-year-old Christopher Lamar Hawkins, who had outstanding warrants for fleeing police and methamphetamine possession, driving a white 2021 Kia Sorento. Hawkins was stopped in front of apartment 203/204 on N Wheeler Ave, where two detectives approached him. Breanna Henderson, 33, then came out of apartment 203 to "investigate what was going on with Hawkins" and appeared to whisper with Hawkins during his arrest. The report states that Henderson, who temporarily lived with Hawkins, began whispering with him "presumably about nefarious activities due to Hawkins's previous history with drug distribution and evading law enforcement."

Douglas Man and Woman Arrested Following Drug Bust and Search at Apartment

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

Montana State

Wyoming State

WyoFile

To increase the genetic diversity of an island population of grizzly bears , Wyoming and Montana wildlife managers recently worked together to import fresh bloodlines into the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Two Montana grizzly bears trucked to Wyoming to bolster genetic diversity, help states’ delisting case

The Department of Veterans Affairs has established both a web site – VSAFE.gov – and a toll-free telephone number – 1-833-38V-SAFE (1-833-388-7233), to educate veterans and their families about scams targeting their benefits, and serve as a clearinghouse to report fraud or suspected fraud. Through the web...

VA Sets Up Fraud-Watch Call Center

Writers represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program and self-verified their accounts. Writers are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

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Advocate Andy

Rent-a-Center affiliate charged with deception, illegal lending. A consumer finance company affiliated with Rent-A-Center is facing charges that it misled or deceived as many as 5 million of its customers and that it engaged in illegal lending practices.

5 Million Consumers Deceived in Rent-to-Own Lending Scheme

Florida State

Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville Today

Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said he will consider more DUI patrols if voters legalize recreational marijuana use in Florida. Voters will consider Amendment 3 in November. It would allow adults 21 or older to possess, purchase or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for non-medical purposes.

More DUI patrols possible if marijuana issue passes

A new scam is hitting US bank accounts by starting with an unusual target – people’s photos on social media. In a warning to consumers, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says the scam begins with unsolicited messages on social media from someone who says they like a photo you took, and are willing to pay thousands of dollars to use it in a painting.

New Bank Scam Boosts Account Balances, Tempts Targets Into Giving Their Money Away: FTC Warning

Job scams are on the rise. The Identity Theft Resource Center says employment scams rose 118% last year. The FBI says they cost people more than $70 million in 2023 alone. Senior Consumer Investigative Correspondent Anna Werner has tips to keep you safe.

Job scams on the rise

Fox News

Elder scams are a prime threat. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals the top cons.

Top 12 elderly fraud scams of 2024

“I am worried about a phone call I received from someone claiming to be from Medicare who had my personal information and was verifying it. The caller mentioned that I would receive a new plastic Medicare card with a chip the following day. It has now been over a week, and I still haven’t received the card. I think I may have made a serious mistake by confirming my details and responding to the questions the caller posed to me. What steps should I take or whom should I contact to verify if this was a legitimate communication from Medicare?” – Jeanette.

Latest Medicare Scam Targeting Seniors

Denver, CO

In addition to collecting more than 8,000 used needles in the past year from Denver drug users, the Harm Reduction Action Center passed out 10,000 meth pipes and “snort kits,” according to a newsletter sent to its supporters Thursday. They also connected about 1,700 people to medical, mental health and substance abuse treatment.

Denver group hands out 10K meth pipes, ‘snort kits,’ connects 1,700 to treatment annually

A permanent marker will be erected to honor the victims of the racist mass shooting nearly a year ago at a Dollar General store in the New Town community. City Council approved the marker 17-0 on Tuesday night.

Marker will honor victims of racist Dollar General shooting

Kiplinger

Venmo users should always be on the lookout for scams. Here are the most common tactics fraudsters are using to cheat you out of your money.

The Most Common Venmo Scams — and How to Avoid Them

IF you're one of the 50 million Americans who use a popular mobile payment app, you may be entitled to a payment from a $15 million settlement. Cash App is facing a class action lawsuit regarding data breaches between 2022 and 2023. The suit alleges that Cash App failed to...

Americans can claim up to $2,500 from $15 million mobile payment service settlement – you must meet three criteria

Winterville, GA

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Colbert, GA

Nicholson, GA

Bishop, GA

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Lexington, GA

Comer, GA

Good Hope, GA

NewsBreak

ACCA's Scam Jam 2024 Aims to Protect Seniors from Scam Artists

The Athens Community Council on Aging is working to help prevent seniors falling prey to scammers. The ACCA is hosting Scam Jam 2024 on August 26th...

ACCA's Scam Jam 2024 Aims to Protect Seniors from Scam Artists

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