Hello New Windsor. Due to the Covid 19 Pandemic scammers are upping their offensive at an alarming rate taking advantage of our senior citizens with scams.
One of the main reasons for the increase in scams targeting senior citizens is because of the isolation that they are going through because of this pandemic. Seniors are more prone to be home social distancing and not having as much interaction with family and friends, so these criminals are preying on them because of that isolation.
And because of the pandemic new scams are emerging every day. The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) has logged more than 350,000 complaints about these new Covid 19 scams and victims have reported losing $350 million dollars from these scams. And that is just from those that have come forward. Many victims are too embarrassed to let anyone know when they have been scammed, so those numbers are more than likely so much higher.
Some of the new Covid 19 scams to look out for that could affect you or your loved ones are:
• Bogus Covid 19 Products/Services- Scams looking to sell you bogus Covid 19 products including home testing kits, air purifiers, vitamin treatments, Covid Preventative Therapies etc. These scams are looking to get your personal information like credit card numbers, social security numbers, Medicare or Medicaid numbers etc. Obtaining that information could then give them access to steal thousands of dollars form you.

• Stimulus Scams- Scammers posing as government agencies like the IRS with offers of fake stimulus payments, or sped up stimulus payments, or loans. They are taking advantage of people’s financial hardships during this pandemic. They look to get personal information like banking info, or they say they can get your stimulus payments to you in a timelier fashion if you send them a fee when you receive your check. And then send fake checks that you are then responsible to make good on, and you have already lost the money you sent them.
• Charity Scams- The scammers prey on the good nature of older adults collecting money for bogus Covid-19 charities, or other causes related to the pandemic or current events. Only donate money to charities or organizations that you know and reach out to yourself.
• Vaccine Scams- Scammers are taking advantage of the desperation of our older adults who are having a very difficult time finding appointments to get their Covid-19 vaccination. These scams are preying on their desperation by offering them appointments for a fee, or to get on lists for appointments, and there has even been instances of fake vaccines sent to homes for a fee. If you are being asked to pay for a vaccine or to get on any lists this is a scam, do not proceed. Only go through the proper channels to get your vaccines. Be patient more and more people are getting vaccinated every day, your time will come. Ask family for help or call your local Office for the aging and they can assist you as well.
Town Supervisor George Meyers stated “our Senior Citizens are so important to us - so please do not give any of your personal information out to anyone unless you initiated the call or message. If you are unsure please ask a friend or a family member for assistance or call the New Windsor Police Department at 845-565-7000, or your local police department. Please stay vigilant.”
The Orange County Department of Social Services is asking Landlords in the community who rent out dwellings or businesses, and who have been negatively affected by this pandemic, to fill out a survey by visiting surveymonkey.com/r/LandLordSurvey2021.
Orange County is aware that the pandemic has resulted in some tenants not paying rent, the survey will give them a better idea of the extent of the problem so they can develop solutions.
For more information call the Orange County Department of Social Services at 845-291-4000.

Birthday shout outs this week go to Ben Berghahn, Rosemary Dubree, and Shawn Peter Mulligan whose birthdays are all on February 28, to Sadie Jane Mulligan whose birthday is on March 1, to my nephew Drew Veronesi whose birthday is on March 3, and to anyone else out there celebrating birthdays this week. Happy birthday!
If anyone has a birthday or other special event you want mentioned in my column, or have anything going on in New Windsor that you want the world to know about you can reach me at mveronesi@optimum.net or by calling 845-629-1260. Have a great week.