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3 Things 3-8

03/08/2021

Although MAS is a financial services company, not everything published herein will be about numbers or investing. But no matter the topic, we hope for three things: 1) That you find the time you spend engaged worthwhile. 2) That you’ll reach out to us for help in any of our areas of expertise if something we discuss creates an urging in you to do so. 3) That you’ll share this with somebody new each time you read it.

Thing One

Covid Vaccine Scam Alert

Since scammers rarely let the opportunity to separate an unwitting person from their money pass, it should come as no surprise that they're taking advantage of the opening provided by the pandemic. See below from the HHS (Health and Human Services) website for more detail:

"The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General is alerting the public about fraud schemes related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Scammers are using telemarketing calls, text messages, social media platforms, and door-to-door visits to perpetrate COVID-19-related scams. Fraudsters are offering COVID-19 tests, HHS grants, and Medicare prescription cards in exchange for personal details, including Medicare information. However, these services are unapproved and illegitimate."

Among the most popular versions of the phonecall/text message scams are indications from the callers that:

1) The recipient can purchase a Covid vaccine

2) The federal government will schedule an appointment for them to get the shot.

Both scams require the recipient to provide personal information, which will then be used to harm the recipient and benefit the caller financially.

Get the shot when you can, but beware of the scammers!

Thing Two

Some Help With Robo Calls

While the intent of some robo-callers is to do great financial harm to the unsuspecting person who answers the phone, many of them are not scams at all. But they are, in the very least, irritants, especially the ones we get routinely from the same callers. If you do nothing else, you should make sure that your phone number is on the national do not call registry (see this link)

But, since the registry isn't a panacea for unwanted calls, you might also want to consider taking advantage of free filtering software available via apps provided by your wireless provider. See below for a link to the apps provided by each of the big four wireless carriers. Note there are also premium versions offered by the companies.

Unfortunately, these won't get rid of all your unwanted calls either, but every little bit helps.

Thing Three

Just A Thought

"Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance." - George Bernard Shaw

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