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Fraud Alert!
Savvy Cyber Criminals
submitted by Ronald Kohl, FCPP, Crime Prevention Practitioner, Lee County Sheriff's Office
Internet spam often means internet scam, and it’s possible that you may be a victim of one without even knowing it. Dozens of e-mail scams are currently circulating throughout the cybernet world. This month’s Fraud Alert urges you to beware of thieves attempting to steal your identity by "hacking" into your personal e-mail account.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office Fraud Line has received numerous calls from residents who have had their e-mail address book or their contacts on their social networking site such as Facebook "hijacked". Using the victim’s stolen e-mail
address book the cyber thief pretending to be you, sends a note stating that while out of the country an unfortunate incident has occurred and “you” need money to return to the United States. The e-mail asks for the money to be sent via Western
Union or Moneygram. Unfortunately, the scammer often disables the victim’s actual e- mail account or installs bad software, known as "malware" making it impossible for you to warn your family and friends of this "hijacking".
Avoid becoming a victim of this latest e-mail scam by:
1. Using security software that updates automatically.
2. Keep your operating system and Web browser up-to-date and learn about their security features.
3. Keep your passwords safe, secure and strong.
4. Back up important files.
5. Protect your personal information.
6. Learn what to do in an "e"-mergency.
To report a fraud or scam or to find out if that phone call, email, letter or the person at
your door is trying to scam you contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Fraud Line at
239-477-1242.
Crime Stoppers Tip I
'WARNING FROM POLICE
THIS APPLIES TO BOTH WOMEN AND MEN
BEWARE OF PAPER ON THE BACK WINDOW OF YOUR VEHICLE-- NEW WAY TO DO CARJACKINGS (NOT A JOKE)
Heads up everyone! Please, keep this circulating.. . You walk across the parking lot, unlock your car and get inside. You start the engine and shift into Reverse..
When you look into the rearview mirror to back out of your parking space, you notice a piece of paper stuck to the middle of the rear window. So, you shift into Park, unlock your doors, and jump out of your car to remove that paper (or whatever it is) that is obstructing your view. When you reach the back of your car, that is when the carjackers appear out of nowhere, jump into your car and take off. They practically mow you down as they speed off in your car.
And guess what, ladies? I bet your purse is still in the car. So now the carjacker has your car, your home address, your money, and your keys. Your home and your whole identity are now compromised!
BEWARE OF THIS NEW SCHEME THAT IS NOW BEING USED.
If you see a piece of paper stuck to your back window, just drive away. Remove the paper later. A purse contains all kinds of personal information and identification documents, and you certainly do NOT want this to fall into the wrong hands.
Crime Stoppers Tip 2
Ladies please take note of the following gang initiation tactic, please discuss with female colleagues.
- VERY IMPORTANT FOR WOMEN TO READ .
On the way to Canton, driving on Michigan Avenue, one morning, I saw an infant car seat on the side of the road with a blanket draped over it. I did not stop, even though I had all kinds of thoughts running through my head. But when I got to my destination, I called the local PD and they were going to check it out. This is what I was told...
"Several things to be aware of .. gangs and thieves, are now plotting different ways to get a person to "stop" their vehicle.
There is a gang initiation reported by local police departments that gangs are placing a car seat by the road...with a fake baby in it...waiting for a woman, of course, to stop and check on the baby. Note that the location of this car seat will usually be beside a wooded or grassy (field) area ...and the person - woman, once stopped - will be dragged into the woods, usually left for dead. DO NOT STOP . DIAL 9-1-1 AND REPORT WHAT YOU SAW.
Crime Stoppers Tip 3
If you are driving at night and eggs are thrown at your windshield, do NOT operate the wiper & do not spray any water, because eggs mixed with water become milky & can block your vision up to 92.5%. You are then forced to stop beside the road and become a victim of thieves. This is another technique used by gangs. These are desparate times & these unsavory individuals will take desperate measures to get what they want.
Please be safe
POSTAL POINTERS
By Anne Murray, Postmaster
It’s Easy to “Hold” Your Mail
Are you going on vacation and need to put your mail on “hold?” The Postal Service has made it a simple task by following one of these two procedures:
•By filing online at https://www.usps.com/holdmail
•Contacting 1-800-ASK-USPS where a representative can assist you.
A Hold Mail request is not necessary for a PO Box, as mail will be allowed to accumulate for up to 30 days.
An alternative to having your mail held is to use the Postal Service’s Premium Forwarding Service. For a set fee of $13.95 per week all mail is shipped via Priority Mail to your temporary address. A one time enrollment fee of $15 is charged for this service.
When completing an online Hold Mail request, a confirmation page will be displayed with a confirmation number to verify your request has been accepted. Make sure you print out this page or copy down your confirmation number for future reference.
Online Hold Mail requests submitted before 2:00 a.m. Central Time can begin on the same Postal business day (Monday through Saturday). Requests made in person or by calling the 1-800 number must be submitted one business day in advance. You may submit a Hold Mail request up to 14 days in advance. Only one hold is permitted at a time.
Hold Mail requests must be made for a minimum duration of 3 days. The maximum duration is 30 days. All mail regardless of name will be held for the address entered. Submitting a Hold Mail request once is all that is required to hold mail delivery for everyone at the address. When our mail is placed on hold, your Post Office will hold all packages as well.
The “End Date” of your Hold Mail request is the date mail will be delivered. Your letter carrier will deliver your mail on this date. If you want to resume delivery of your held mail earlier than the requested “End Date,” you will need your confirmation number.
For more information about purchasing stamps, stamps by mail, postal regulations, a free subscription to USA Philatelic magazine, Post Office events, the location of the nearest postal store or contract unit, or for answers to your specific Postal Service questions, contact USPS at 1-800-275-8777, or visit www.usps.com. For detailed information on selection criteria for stamps visit http://www.stamps.com/communications/organization/csac.htm. To schedule a presentation for your community, club or group on how the Postal Service brings the Post Office to your home or office computer, call 239-573-9638
Summer volunteers needed for CCMI
Now that winter residents have returned to their northern homes, Community Cooperative Ministries Inc. is in need of volunteers to support their numerous programs and services.
“Almost 40 percent of our volunteer base is made up of seasonal residents,” said Jon Mayhugh, director of volunteer services for CCMI. “This puts us in desperate need of additional volunteers from May through October especially for our Meals on Wheels and senior transportation service Faith in Action.”
CCMI is the umbrella agency for the Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, Senior Transportation, Montessori Preschool and Social and Homeless Services.
“We have a number of programs designed to address the unserved and underserved members of our community,” said Mayhugh. “The opportunities for volunteering are numerous.”
Opportunities include delivering food to homebound and elderly individuals through Meals on Wheels; working with the children and assisting teachers in preparing projects at CCMI’s Hands and Hearts Montessori Preschool; working in the kitchen preparing meals for the Soup Kitchen; transporting clients over age 60 to appointments or to run errands through Faith in Action; assessing individuals for services and assistance needs and helping with food stamps and Medicaid applications with CCMI’s Social Services; linking the homeless to community services, housing and employment through the agency’s Homeless Services; typing, mailing and answering phones and performing repairs for CCMI’s facilities or clients.
The needs for the services these programs provide have increased exponentially over the past couple of years, Mayhugh added. The average meal distribution for Meals on Wheels has risen from about 6,000 meals per month in 2008 to roughly 9,000 meals per month in 2010.
“By dedicating just a small block of time to volunteering during the summer months, residents can make a world of difference in our community,” said Sarah Owen, CEO of CCMI. “A time commitment of only two hours per week can provide dignity and independence to our homebound neighbors.”
“All 24 of our associates have signed up to help Meals on Wheels for the summer,” said Lori Wilson, shareholder with the accounting firm Myers, Brettholtz & Company. “Our office believes in giving back to the community and summer is a perfect time since we have a little more time on our hands.”
Anyone interested can call 239-332-0441 or e-mail volunteers@ccmileecounty.com for more information.
CCMI serves Fort Myers and the greater Lee County area, including Bonita Springs, Cape Coral and Lehigh Acres. The Soup Kitchen serves a noontime meal six days a week to men, women and children in a traditional soup kitchen setting. In addition, CCMI prepares and delivers nutritious packaged meals and beverages for the homebound hungry, offers a food pantry and mobile food pantries that provide emergency groceries to families in need, serves two nutritious meals a day for the children in their childcare center and oversees a backpack program for local schoolchildren who would otherwise receive little to no food on weekends.
For more information, call 239-332-7687 or visit www.ccmileecounty.com
Art League of Bonita Springs
Upcoming events for the Art League of Bonita Springs
High resolution photos are available for most events.
What: Summer Art Camps Week 4
When: Monday – Friday July 5 to 9, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. with before, lunch and after care available
Where: Center for the Arts, 26100 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, Florida
Cost: $135 per half day with full and partial scholarships available.
Summer Art Camps run weekly through August 20, 2010 at the Art League of Bonita Springs.
Camps are open to students ages 4 and up. Camps vary each week and include painting, digital art, nature art, dance, theater, arts/science, pottery and more.
Scholarship are available to most students through a confidential form.
Information 495-8989 or www.artcenterbonita.org
What: Summer Art Camps Week 5
When: Monday – Friday July 12 to 16, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. with before, lunch and after care available
Where: Center for the Arts, 26100 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, Florida
Cost: $135 per half day with full and partial scholarships available.
Summer Art Camps run weekly through August 20, 2010 at the Art League of Bonita Springs.
Camps are open to students ages 4 and up. Camps vary each week and include painting, digital art, nature art, dance, theater, arts/science, pottery and more.
Scholarship are available to most students through a confidential form.
Information 495-8989 or www.artcenterbonita.org
What: ‘Live at the Promenade!’… “John Frinzi and John Patti”
When: Thursday, July 15, 2010; 7 p.m.
Where: Promenade at Bonita Bay, 26811 S Bay Dr, Bonita Springs, Florida
Cost: $15 members, $20 non-members, $25 at the door
“Live At the Promenade!” The Art League of Bonita Springs is proud to present an evening of island folk music by John Frinzi and John Patti. The evening will have a Caribbean feel, complete with island inspired hors d’oeuvres.
Information 495-8989 or www.artcenterbonita.org
What: Summer Art Camps Week 6
When: Monday – Friday July 19 to 23, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. with before, lunch and after care available
Where: Center for the Arts, 26100 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, Florida
Cost: $135 per half day with full and partial scholarships available.
Summer Art Camps run weekly through August 20, 2010 at the Art League of Bonita Springs.
Camps are open to students ages 4 and up. Camps vary each week and include painting, digital art, nature art, dance, theater, arts/science, pottery and more.
Scholarship are available to most students through a confidential form.
Information 495-8989 or www.artcenterbonita.org
What: All About Color Opening Reception and Open House
When: Friday, July 23, 2010; 6-8pm
Where: Center for the Arts, 26100 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, Florida
Cost: FREE and open to the public
This show encourages artists to have fun with color. Inspiration comes from Caribbean islands, summer festivals, vivid blooms, travel abroad and to local venues. Join us for an open house and get to know the Center for the Arts this summer.
The exhibition will remain on display through August 26.
Gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 10:00am-4:00pm and Saturdays, 1:00-5:00pm.
Information 495-8989 or www.artcenterbonita.org
What: Summer Art Camps Week 7
When: Monday – Friday July 26 to 30, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. with before, lunch and after care available
Where: Center for the Arts, 26100 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, Florida
Cost: $135 per half day with full and partial scholarships available.
Summer Art Camps run weekly through August 20, 2010 at the Art League of Bonita Springs.
Camps are open to students ages 4 and up. Camps vary each week and include painting, digital art, nature art, dance, theater, arts/science, pottery and more.
Scholarship are available to most students through a confidential form.
Information 495-8989 or www.artcenterbonita.org
What: Art League Studios at the Promenade at Bonita Bay, Art Walk
When: Thursday, July 29, 2010; 4-7 p.m.
Where: Promenade at Bonita Bay, 26811 S Bay Dr, Bonita Springs, Florida
Cost: FREE and open to the public
View artists as they create. Artists Studios at the Promenade in
conjunction with Art in Public Places allows Art League Member artists — painters, sculptors, photographers and glass artists — to regularly display their work in various storefront locations at the center of the Promenade at Bonita Bay. Artists Studios are open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10am to 3pm each day and feature demonstrations in each of the studio spaces. New exhibitions, and artists, occupy the studios every 30 to 60 days. The last Thursday of each month kicks off a new group of artists and exhibitions in an evening Studio Walk, 4pm to 7pm, accompanied by musical entertainment.
Information 495-8989 or www.artcenterbonita.org
What: Live at the Promenade! “All I Really Need to Know I Learned by Being in a Bad Play,” by Werner Trieschmann
When: Friday, July 30, 2010; 7 p.m. & Saturday, July 31, 3 p.m.
Where: Promenade at Bonita Bay, 26811 S Bay Dr, Bonita Springs, Florida
Cost: $3 child/ $5 adult
The Center for the Arts Youth Theater presents a play based on several disastrous theatrical experiences. “Bad Play” peels back the tattered curtain to examine the process of putting on a show that is less than good. A stuffy narrator guides the audience through the sorry process—from audition, to rehearsal and the opening curtain. This bad play within a play won’t win any awards, but will keep the audiences in stitches.
Information 495-8989 or www.artcenterbonita.org
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