DEAR SUN SPOTS: With all the talk about eggs in Sun Spots lately, I’m wondering if another reader in Sun Spots Land has hens and sells eggs. I would love to purchase some and would be a regular customer needing two dozen every week.
Sadly, the person who used to sell eggs to me had their chickens taken by a critter — maybe a fox. I really miss my farm-fresh eggs and would like to do business with someone local. — Kay, Lisbon
ANSWER: I completely understand, Kay. I’m sure many people agree with you and would also be interested in finding a resource for eggs other than the grocery store.
If you go to any farmers’ markets, you should find a farmer/vendor there. I do hope though that another Sun Spotter will let us know that he/she has eggs for sale and that you can do business with them for years to come!
DEAR SUN SPOTS: I got a strange call from “Social Security” this week. A very pleasant-sounding gentleman said I needed to update my information to get the cost of living adjustment (COLA) and he could help me “set up my dashboard” online. I put my daughter on the phone and after she asked him a few questions, he hung up on her.
My daughter then went online and reported the incident. I’m writing to warn other readers about this and to remind them to report it immediately if it happens.
ANSWER: I’m sorry that happened to you and I’m glad your daughter was with you and that you reported it. Scammers often attempt to take advantage of people during the holidays as they target older members of our communities, pretending they are from Social Security to steal your money and personal information.
Caller ID numbers, texts, or emails may look official, but they’re not. Fraudsters are calling about the 2024 cost-of-living adjustment. This adjustment is automatic and Social Security won’t ask you to provide information to get your benefit increase. Social Security may email or text you about general programs and services, but they will never ask for personal information via email or text or phone calls .
Recognizing the signs of a scam can help you avoid falling victim to one. Scammers will primarily call you, but they may also use email, send text messages, or contact you through social media or the mail saying there’s a problem with your Social Security number or account and pressuring you to act immediately, and to even send money in specific ways. Some of the things they might say are that your information needs updating, that they will take legal action, arrest you, freeze your account, or fine you.
If you receive a suspicious call, text, or email, hang up and report it at oig.ssa.gov/report. Scammers frequently change their methods with new tactics and messages to trick people. Stay up to date on the latest advisories about scamming by following SSA’s Office of the Inspector General on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook, or subscribing to receive email alerts.
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