At our December 2, 2024 Rotary Meeting.
Karen introduced our guest speaker for the evening, former club member Carol Johnson, speaking on Avoiding Scams. Carol was born and raised in Billings, Montana, and attended Montana State University. She became an X-ray technician and moved to Denver, Colorado, to work at a children's hospital. Later, she returned to Montana and started an estate liquidation business. Carol also earned her pilot's license and became a certified scuba diver. She and her husband traveled extensively and enjoyed cross-country skiing. After her husband's passing, Carol moved back to Skagit Valley to be near family and friends. She enjoys traveling, volunteering, and various fun activities.
Carol shared her experience of being scammed twice, emphasizing the emotional impact and prevalence of scams. She recounted receiving a fraudulent email about a TV purchase and another scam involving their LifeLock account. Despite being cautious, she fell victim to a scam that resulted in a significant financial loss.
Carol highlighted the emotional toll of being scammed, including feelings of embarrassment and depression. She stressed that scammers are professionals who exploit emotions and pressure their victims. Carol shared various types of scams, including investment, romance, and charity scams, and provided tips on recognizing and avoiding scams.
She also mentioned the importance of not giving out personal information, and being cautious with emails and phone calls. Carol concluded by encouraging everyone to protect themselves and stay informed about the latest scam tactics.
Carol provided several tips to avoid scams:
- Caller ID and Unknown Numbers: Don't trust caller ID or answer calls from unknown numbers. Scammers often use these methods to fish for victims.
- Emails and Links: Never click on links from unknown sources. Be cautious with emails, especially those from Gmail, as they can be scams.
- Social Media: Be careful about sharing personal information on platforms such as Facebook, as scammers can use this information.
- Pop-ups and Texts: Block unwanted pop-ups, calls, and texts. Monitor your mail with informed delivery from USPS.
- Online Banking: Use strong, unique passwords with at least 15 characters, and enable two-factor authentication.
- Odd Payment Methods: Be wary of payments via Zelle, Venmo, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, as these are often untraceable.
- Credit Reports: Freeze your credit reports to prevent unauthorized actions, and monitor for any suspicious activity.
- Door-to-Door Sales: Never sign contracts without checking the company's reputation. Be cautious of pest control companies and other services that may have hidden fees.
- Reporting Scams: If scammed, report it to the authorities and relevant agencies. Keep evidence, and revise passwords on financial accounts.
Doug discussed the risks associated with QR codes, highlighting that scammers can place fake QR codes over legitimate ones at places like gas stations and restaurants. This can lead to unsuspecting users being directed to malicious websites.
Others shared personal anecdotes about scams, including an elderly customer at a bank who was almost scammed out of $10,000, and a family member who lost $30,000 to a scam involving a fake Mercedes Benz prize. These stories emphasized the importance of being vigilant and involved, especially with elderly relatives who can be easily targeted.
Carol, the speaker, provided stickers to remind people to be cautious about scams. The meeting concluded with a thank you to Carol for her bravery in sharing her experiences. The club acknowledged her contribution by asking her to sign a Spanish language book for a mobile library in Honduras, supporting children's education.
It was a very enlightening and educational program! Everyone was very engaged and had some great questions.
Farmers and Merchants Night has been scheduled for March 3.
Audrey’s closing remarks: Anglican preacher Henry Melvill said:
We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men.
