Spring has arrived, and con artists use this time of year to give new life to common scams.
Tax-related scams: Tax season brings fake e-mails from scammers pretending to be the IRS. They might claim to have important updates regarding your refund, but they’re really attempting to get your personal information. Some e-mails might even unleash malware on your computer if you click a link or download an attachment. Your best defense is to delete — without opening — any unsolicited e-mails claiming to be from the IRS, and to contact the IRS directly should you have any questions about your tax filing.
Door-to-door solicitations: The warmer weather brings out scammers who attempt to get your credit card or bank account numbers by showing up at your door unannounced with a product for sale or a fund-raising opportunity. Once the scammer has your payment information, you may find a number of exorbitant or unexpected charges down the road. Unless you recognize the person, be very careful about opening your door, and never provide your payment information to a stranger who comes knocking.
Fake home repairs: These scammers come into town and cruise your neighborhood’s streets, offering unbelievably good deals to clean your gutters, repair your roof or put a new layer of asphalt on your driveway. They’ll want your money up front to buy supplies, but then disappear without completing the work. Remember that if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. If you are serious about having work done, get recommendations from friends, neighbors or another trusted source, and check out the company through a third-party organization, like the Better Business Bureau.
Prevent financial elder abuse: AARP ElderWatch specialists are there to listen and provide assistance at (800) 222-4444 or www.aarpelderwatch.org.
Medicare 101
If you missed Medicare 101 in February, catch us Wednesday, April 17, at 10:30 a.m. in the lounge of The Den.
Are you new to Medicare and lost or confused by all the literature you have received? Do you know which portions you need to enroll in, A, B, C, D? What the heck are all those letters anyway?
If so, we have the answer for you at Medicare 101.
Medicare 101 is for those who are new to Medicare or about to venture into the new world of Medicare. Call 264-2167 to reserve a seat, seating is limited.
Income tax
Income tax form assistance is available through AARP Durango for people with income up to $50,000. Call Durango Senior Center at 382-6428 for an appointment on a Monday, or the Adult Education Center in Durango at 385-4354 for an appointment on a Saturday.
Weekly activities
Friday, April 12 — 10 a.m. Stitchin in the kitchen; 12:30 p.m. gym walk.
Monday, April 15 — 12:30 p.m. gym walk.
Tuesday, April 16 — 12:30 p.m. gym walk; 1 p.m. Meditation for Healing.
Wednesday, April 17 — No scheduled activities.
Thursday, April 18 — Closed, administrative day.
Friday, April 19 — 10 a.m. Stitchin in the kitchen; 10:30 a.m. brain injury support group, 12:30 p.m. gym walk.
Cafe Fox menu
All meals include our great salad bar.
Friday, April 12 — French dip, mixed veggies, oven browned potatoes, orange.
Monday, April 15 — Cheeseburger on whole wheat bun, lettuce, tomato, pickle, baked French fries, vegetarian baked beans, peaches.
Tuesday, April 16 — Lemon baked tilapia, oven browned potatoes, peas and carrots, coleslaw, oatmeal blueberry muffin, banana, sherbet.
Wednesday, April 17 — Beef and cheese enchilada, salsa, refried beans, marinated garden salad, apricots.
Thursday, April 18 — Closed, administrative day.
Friday, April 19 — Smothered chicken with gravy, cornbread stuffing, plums, peas, whole wheat roll, coleslaw.
Reservations are required by 9 a.m. the morning of the day you would like to dine at Cafe Fox. You can make your reservation up to one week in advance by calling 264-2167, or through our website at www.archuletacounty.org, select departments and at the Senior Center.
Suggested donation for older adults age 60 plus is $4, guests $6. Our meal program is partially funded through the Older Americans Act via the San Juan Basin Area Agency on Aging, United Way, Archuleta County, Town of Pagosa Springs and other individual donations and grants. These funds help support the cost of the meal which is approximately $12.85. Please note our menu is subject to change. The salad bar opens at 11:30 a.m. with lunch served from noon to 12:30 p.m.
