Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s AGING NEWS For the week of July 19th

Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s

AGING NEWS

For the week of July 19^th

MAJOR PHONE CARRIERS AND SCAM PREVENTION

A key deadline in the fight against phone scams passed on June 30^th, but you might not have noticed it – unless you’ve noticed that your phone seems to be ringing a lot less than it used to.

The three major carriers – AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon – have met the June 30^th Federal Communications Commission (FCC) deadline to implement the FCC’s new anti-spoofing protocol. Some smaller carriers were given an extension of the deadline until 2023, but FCC leaders propose significantly shortening the time smaller carriers will have to comply.

In the world of phone calls, “spoofing” is defined as the act of disguising the source of a call. Spoofing can be used legally or illegally. As a rule, the FCC considers spoofing to be legal when done within its rules; and illegal when done with the intent to defraud, cause harm, or wrongfully obtain anything of value.

In other words, if the number on your phone’s screen correctly represents the name of the party making the call, and the displayed number is available for callback, then the spoofing is legal. It’s illegal, though, when a scammer calls you pretending to represent a business or government. It’s that second category of calls the FCC’s new rules are aimed at stopping.

Will the new rules work? From what we can observe, it’s so far, so good – but if scammers are good at one thing, it’s adapting to changing circumstances. A scam that disappears in one form is likely to arise again elsewhere.

CONSUMER TIPS FROM THE FCC

Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers. Let them go to voicemail. Many scammers will disconnect at that point.
If the caller claims to be from a legitimate company or organization, hang up and call them back using a valid number found on their website, or on your latest bill if you do business with them.
If you answer and the caller (often a recording) asks you to press a button to stop receiving calls, or asks you to say “yes” in response to a question, just hang up. Scammers often use these tricks to identify, and then target, live respondents, or to use your “yes” to apply unauthorized charges on your bill.
Caller ID showing a “local” number does not mean it is necessarily a local caller.
If you answer and the caller asks for payment using a gift card, it’s likely a scam. Legitimate organizations will not ask for payment with a gift card.
If you have lost money because of a scam call, contact local law enforcement and your financial institution(s) for assistance.
Consider registering your telephone numbers in the National Do Not Call Registry. Lawful telemarketers use this list to avoid calling consumers on the list.

A Scam Prevention Resources worksheet is available in the Summer 2021 issue of our Spotlight on Seniors newsletter, available while supplies last at libraries countywide, and at www.dutchessny.gov/aging.

Golden Living is prepared by the Dutchess County Office for the Aging, 114 Delafield St., Poughkeepsie, New York 12601, telephone (845) 486-2555, email: ofa@dutchessny.gov website: www.dutchessny.gov/aging

OFA IN-PERSON MEDICARE EVENTS RESUMING IN RHINEBECK AND POUGHKEEPSIE

For the first time since the beginning of pandemic restrictions, the Office for the Aging is scheduling an in-person “Medicare 101” class, on Monday, July 26^th at 4:00 p.m. at The Pavilion at Brookmeade, 34 Brookmeade Drive (just off Route 308) in Rhinebeck.

Beginning on Wednesday, August 10^th, additional in-person “Medicare 101” classes take place at the Community Room of the Poughkeepsie Galleria on the third Wednesday of every month, starting at 10:00 a.m.

Space is limited at both live and remote classes, so reserve your space by calling the Office for the Aging at 845-486-2555. For a look at the full calendar of OFA and Dutchess County events, go to www.dutchessny.gov/calendar-page.htm.

WILCOX PARK ACTIVITIES FOR SENIORS

Seniors looking for new exercise experiences can try out some events coming up later this summer at Dutchess County-operated Wilcox Park (Wilcox Park Rd., Milan, off NY 199, just east of the Taconic Parkway).

On Thursday, August 12^th and Thursday, August 19^th, Dutchess County Parks and OFA will host senior walks through Wilcox Park. Both walks begin at 9:00 a.m.

On Thursday, September 2^nd at 10:00 a.m., there’ll be a Learn To Disc Golf event at the Wilcox disc golf course, with veteran Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) competitor, tournament director and course designer Dan Doyle, who designed the 27-hole disc golf course at Wilcox.

Registration is required for all events. Call the Office for the Aging (845-486-2555) to register.

Other aging news online:

20 minutes a week of exercise goes a long way: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/over-60-heres-a-side-effect-of-exercising-just-20-minutes-per-week/ss-AAM35fn?ocid=se

Is there a link between brushing and flossing and dementia prevention? https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-07-08/missing-teeth-higher-odds-for-dementia

Got a doctor’s visit coming up? Here are a few tips on questions to ask and information to share: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-do-i-need-tell-doctor?utm_source=nia-eblast&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=healthyaging-20210712

Another once-rare tick borne disease is back: https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Capital-Region-seeing-surge-in-once-rare-16309892.php?IPID=Times-Union-HP-CP-Spotlight

The FDA has altered labeling information for a controversial recently-approved Alzheimer’s drug: https://www.medpagetoday.com/neurology/alzheimersdisease/93513?xid=nl_covidupdate_2021-07-12&eun=g1261622d0r&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DailyUpdate_071221&utm_term=NL_Gen_Int_Daily_News_Update_active

This week in senior birthdays:

7/20: Guitarist/songwriter Carlos Santana (74)

7/21: Cartoonist Garry Trudeau (73)

7/22: WWII veteran/politician Bob Dole (98)

7/23: Actor/activist Woody Harrelson (60)