PHOENIX – Una investigación reciente de la AARP encontró rasgos característicos en la gente que tiene más peligro de ser víctima de un fraude por internet. El estudio examina conductas clave y experiencias vividas que podrían aumentar las probabilidades de ser blanco de estos delitos.

Así pues, el riesgo de que usted sea víctima de un fraude por internet, pudiera depender de ciertas conductas y de la cantidad de tensión negativa que haya en su vida. Cynthia Fagyas, vocera de la AARP Arizona, dice que el estudio identificó 15 conductas clave y experiencias de vida que pudieran aumentar la posibilidad de que una persona sea estafada.

"Cliquear en las ventanas emergentes, esas que todos hemos visto aparecer en nuestras pantallas. A todos nos intriga abrir un correo de alguien desconocido. Inscribirnos en ofertas con período de prueba gratis, también es una conducta riesgosa."

La investigación también encontró que las víctimas de fraudes en línea han tenido 53 por ciento más vivencias negativas, como perder un empleo, dificultades financieras o el aislamiento.

De cada 10 arizonianos, nueve confesaron sentir temor de dar información personal o financiera por internet, y aún así Fagyas dice que el reporte detectó que casi la cuarta parte de ellos descuidan un simple paso de seguridad.

"No cambian sus contraseñas seguido. Eso es algo que pudiera evitar que nos ocurra un timo o un fraude por internet."

Y aunque casi el 80 por ciento de los arizonianos manifiestan miedo de ser timados por internet, Fagyas dice que la mitad de ese grupo tenía ideas erróneas sobre cómo son las cosas en el mundo del internet.

"Los bancos no mandan correos a sus clientes pidiéndoles que pulsen un enlace para verificar su información personal. Los arizonianos por lo general tampoco tienen conciencia de que una política de privacidad no siempre quiere decir que el sitio de internet no compartirá su información con otras empresas."

Para ayudar a reducir el problema, Fagyas dice que la AARP creó una Red de Vigilancia del Fraude (Fraud Watch Network), en la que expertos, agentes del orden y arizonianos comunes comparten información.

"Si te inscribes en esa red, puedes recibir alertas sobre los timos que estén sucediendo en tu área en particular."

Para esta investigación la AARP entrevistó a más de 11 mil personas en todo el país, incluidas 962 en Arizona.

El estudio puede consultarse en AARP.org.



get more stories like this via email

As Oregon is seeing its first major heat event of the summer, some simple tips can help you keep your home cooler.

Most of Oregon was under a heat advisory over the holiday weekend.

And with summer just starting, Cameron Starr - senior operations customer experience manager with Energy Trust of Oregon - said more hot days are likely ahead.

He said one recommendation is to keep out heat by pulling down window shades during the hottest part of day, and open windows when temperatures cool down.

"During that time when it's cool outside," said Starr, "a box fan or window-mounted fan on the shady side of the house can really be effective in drawing in cool air."

Excessive heat can be dangerous.

Starr said cooling centers are open across the state for people struggling with the heat. He also noted that you can visit many local businesses with air conditioning to cool down.

Starr advised people to use heat-generating devices, such as ovens, less frequently during hot days.

He added that it's important to check the filters in your air conditioners, especially if they're window-mounted or portable units.

"You want to make sure you're checking those filters, and a lot of manufacturers state to check and clean those every two weeks," said Starr. "And if you've got pets, you probably want to increase that cycle."

For people with fans, Starr said check to ensure it's spinning in the direction that cools, allowing you to feel a breeze rather than pulling cool air upward.

And making sure there aren't any gaps in doors and windows is also important.

"Sealing off any gaps," said Starr, "can very much help reduce the amount of cool air that you're losing to the outside."

Energy Trust offers cash incentives for people to install systems that cool - or provide heat during the winter. There are also federal tax credits available for equipment like energy-efficient heat pumps.




get more stories like this via email

Two of the largest credit card companies in the United States want federal regulators to greenlight a merger and the deal has been met with skepticism from a consumer rights group.

Capital One and Discover Financial Services agreed in February to combine their services in a $35 billion deal.

Patrick Woodall, managing director of policy at Americans for Financial Reform -- which is composed of civil rights, labor and other civic organizations and promotes an equitable financial system for consumers -- noted the merger would pose a hardship for some.

"This disproportionately impacts Black and Latino families who are much more likely to have subprime credit scores, much more likely to struggle paying their credit card bill," Woodall pointed out. "It would give the company the power to extract value and money from these working families."

Corporate mergers often mean excess jobs will be cut. In 2021, Discover opened a customer care center in Chicagoland, but Woodall fears call center and marketing positions there are on the line. Should the merger receive approval, Capital One has vowed to retain all Discover workers for one year. Then, Capitol One's management can legally close all Discover operations.

The Bank Merger Review Modernization Act mandates federal regulators consider the effects of a proposed merger on the community it serves. According to the financial site Experian, Illinoisans hold an average yearly credit card balance of almost $7,000.

Woodall believes the merger will lead to increased credit card costs, which he said are "likely to gouge consumers."

"It's creating a bank so large and so weighted towards credit cards that in the event of sort of an economic downturn, this bank could be in trouble," Woodall contended. "That could cause systemic problems across the broader economy and banking system."

The Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency will hold an open meeting July 19 for community input. Woodall hopes federal regulators will "do the right thing" by standing up for the statutory requirements and blocking the merger.

Summer is in full swing and as temperatures increase across the state of Arizona, so do energy bills.

Diane Brown, executive director of the Arizona Public Interest Research Group Education Fund, said Arizonans can easily cut down on their electric bills, from steps as simple as turning off lights or electronics when they are not in use, to investing in a "smart" thermostat to provide better control of a home's temperature.

Brown added people should check with their utility company to ensure they are on the best rate plan, especially if there has been a change in the number of people living under one roof.

"Often your utility can help you cut down on your monthly bill through energy efficiency discounts and rebates," Brown explained. "Helping you to assess if you're on the best rate plan for your household."

For people struggling to pay their bill, she noted utilities offer financial assistance or can point you to a nonprofit to can help. An appliance taking in one watt of electrical current at all times is equivalent to nine kilowatt-hours per year. These so-called "energy vampires" cost the average household between $100 and $200 a year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Brown pointed out cutting energy waste does not require a dramatic change in daily habits or comfort. Just closing curtains during the hottest part of the day can reduce the amount of heat entering a room by up to one-third. She added using ceiling fans to help offset air conditioning is another money-saver; and avoiding using your oven in the summer is another smart strategy.

"Using an air fryer, a slow cooker, microwave or a grill can help to reduce the amount of heat in a room," Brown emphasized. "Which will help to reduce the amount of air conditioning that is being employed, thereby saving money."

Brown acknowledged utility companies often propose raising households' monthly rates and fees. She added if you are behind on an electric bill or anticipate having a hard time paying it, contact the company or the statewide nonprofit Wildfire, to learn more about the Home Energy Assistance Fund.