Partners In Aging

AARP warning Virginians about scammers posing as Amazon

by: Will Gonzalez

Posted: Jul 9, 2024 / 10:37 AM EDT
Updated: Jul 9, 2024 / 10:37 AM EDT

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) of Virginia is sending out a warning to residents of the Commonwealth about a type of scam which was reported to have taken place tens of thousands of times across the country last year.

According to Federal Trade Commission, more than 44,000 instances of alleged scammers posing as Amazon were reported in 2023, costing a total of around $19 million. AARP of Virginia says these scammers have been targeting Virginians with two new strategies.

The first strategy is several scammers contacting an Amazon customer claiming to be an Amazon representative, a bank employee and a law enforcement officer respectively.

This strategy has an advantage because it could make the victim believe they are speaking to several independent agencies confirming the same threat, but in reality, they are talking to criminals who are part of the same scheme.

The other strategy being used by scammers is contacting Amazon Prime members and asking them to renew their subscription. These scammers create realistic-looking websites in an effort to get unsuspecting people to give them their payment information.

This strategy is effective because many Amazon Prime customers are not aware of when their membership is set to expire.

When doing business online, renewing a subscription or dealing with a suspicious charge, AARP of Virginia recommends doing so on the company’s official website, instead of through any link or phone number sent over text or email.

Anyone who believes they may be dealing with a scammer or fraudster can speak with an AARP fraud specialist by calling 1-877-908-3360.

Grandparents raising grandkids!
Families with kids in the house!

Free Summer Nutrition for Youth 18 and Under

From May 28 through August 24 the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank's free summer meals program for youth will be active. Here is a link to that program's website page where families can register children to receive meals and see a complete list of meal locations and times of distribution for the summer.

https://fredfood.org/Summer-Nutrition-Program



Families can also text the word FOOD or COMIDA to 304-304 for an interactive map of all summer meal locations in their community.

Summer Nutrition Program Children who rely on school breakfast and lunch programs during the school year often face hunger when classrooms and cafeterias are closed. Through the Summer Nutrition Program, we provide nutritious meals kids need to continue growing and learning when school isn’t in session.

ONE MORE HOUR TO DROP OFF THOSE OLD MEDS!!! Have you been saving your old and expired RX and OTC medications. April 27th is the date you can dispose of them at any of 11 drop off sites. Some of the locations will accept sharps also! Please note that Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center will no longer be accepting sharps!

TODAY'S THE DAY!!! Have you been saving your old and expired RX and OTC medications. April 27th is the date you can dispose of them at any of 11 drop off sites. Some of the locations will accept sharps also! Please note that Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center will no longer be accepting sharps!

TOMORROW'S THE DAY!!! Have you been saving your old and expired RX and OTC medications. April 27th is the date you can dispose of them at any of 11 drop off sites. Some of the locations will accept sharps also! Please note that Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center will no longer be accepting sharps!

Have you been saving your old and expired RX and OTC medications. April 27th is the date you can dispose of them at any of 11 drop off sites. Some of the locations will accept sharps also! Please note that Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center will no longer be accepting sharps!

Scam Alert: Over the weekend, our agency received reports from City residents where a scammer posed as a Fredericksburg Police officer and requested money. The scammer used an actual employee's name and the spoofing technique, which makes it appear the call came from our agency.

The Fredericksburg Police Department will NEVER solicit payment over the phone or request gift card donations.

If something does not sound right, ask for the supervisor's name, hang up, and contact our agency immediately at 540-373-3122.

Please share and help us keep our community from falling victim to scammers.

Please help us make our "Trick or Treat with a Senior" event a success by donating Halloween candy. Bags can be dropped off with the front desk any day of the week between 9am and 8pm. Thank you for your support!

Healthy Generations has postponed the Electric Stride to September 30, 2023. Check out Healthy Generations' webpage for info on joining us!!

Good morning! ☀ ☕
Please see an important update for the Electric Stride below! 🌩

Looking forward to celebrating this group of caregivers! We’re going to talk about giving themselves permission… to care for themselves.

Thank you for supporting this year's Caregivers Appreciation Luncheon!

AARP Virginia Spring Arbor Living of Fredericksburg Cardinal Village Carrell Blanton Ferris & Associates, PLC ElderCare Connections Healthy Generations Rappahannock Area Agency on Aging, Inc. Home Instead Jubilation Mary Washington Healthcare Monteleon Law Group, PLLC Poet's Walk, A Spring Hills Memory Care Community - Fredericksburg Spring Arbor Living of Fredericksburg Visiting Angels, Fredericksburg, VA

UPDATE:

Sandra Johnson was safely located last night. Thank you to everyone who helped.

Missing and Endangered Alert: The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is attempting to locate Sandra Johnson. Mrs. Johnson is 78 years old, 5’9” tall, 135 pounds with blonde/grey hair and blue eyes and has been diagnosed with dementia. She was last seen in a pink shirt and grey pants and driving a grey 2015 Subaru Impreza with VA tag WXJ-7520. She lives in Celebrate Virginia and left around noon toward the Giant Food Store.

If you have any information please call 540-658-4450 or 911.

Great program sponsored by the Fredericksburg Food Co-op. Come on out!!

Join us on June 14th at the Fredericksburg Expo Center!!!