I have received many reports that Veterans are being contacted by "Patient
Care Group" representing that they are helping administer VA prescriptions
and stating that the pharmacy billing procedures have changed and they are
therefore requesting Veteran credit card numbers for prescription payments in
advance of filling their prescriptions. This is false. VA does not call
Veterans asking to disclose personal financial information over the phone.
VA has not changed its processes for dispensing prescription medicines.
Kevin Secor
Veterans Service Organizations Liaison
Office of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Washington, DC
27 October 2009 -- A heads up about the next Updater. The Post Office now requires that we use 1.5 inch unperforated mailing seals. We are recommending that our readers use a letter opener or small knife to cut the seals. This will prevent tearing the page(s) while trying to unfold the newsletter.
Be Cautious About Giving Info to Census Workers by Susan Johnson
With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.
The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:
If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don't know into your home.
Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. > Census.
REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR ADDRESS.
While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION. The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Any one asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau.
AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION. No Acorn worker should approach you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau.
Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.
Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.
For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit www.bbb.org
ADAMS, JR. RUSSELL I., 67 of Scituate passed away on Saturday, December 19, 2009 at his home. He was the husband of Joyce H. (Rintala) Adams.
He was born in Bridgeport, Conn., a son of Harriett (Hopkins) Adams of Scituate and the late Russell I. Adams, Sr.
He served for over thirty years in the R.I. National Guard before retiring at the rank of Captain. He was a past commander of the American Legion Post # 19 of Scituate for seven years. He was a life member of the North Scituate Fire Department.
Besides his wife and mother, he leaves a daughter, Rebecca Adams; a son, Ryan Adams and his wife Suzanne; two grandchildren, Tyler Stone and Jessica Adams; one sister, Lois Salisbury; and one brother, Richard Adams all of Scituate.
Funeral service on Wednesday at 10 am in the Winfield & Sons Funeral Home, 571 West Greenville Road, (Route 116), Scituate. Burial with military honors will be in the R.I. Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter. Visiting hours are Tuesday 5-8 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the RING Retirees Association Memorial Fund, 645 New London Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920.
