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Arson attacks paralyze French high-speed rail network hours before start of Olympics, the Obamas endorse Harris for President; A NY county creates facial recognition, privacy protections; Art breathes new life into pollution-ravaged MI community; 34 Years of the ADA.

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Harris meets with Israeli PM Netanyahu and calls for a ceasefire. MI Rep. Rashida Tlaib faces backlash for a protest during Netanyahu's speech. And VA Sen. Mark Warner advocates for student debt relief.

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There's a gap between how rural and urban folks feel about the economy, Colorado's 'Rural is Rad' aims to connect outdoor businesses, more than a dozen of Maine's infrastructure sites face repeated flooding, and chocolate chip cookies rock August.

To prevent fraud, better to be 'rude' than 'robbed'

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Monday, October 2, 2023   

Fraud prevention experts are getting the word out in Idaho on how to avoid scams.

Events across the state in October aim to help people identify and protect themselves from thieves.

Cathy McDougall, director of outreach for AARP Idaho, said if you suspect someone of a con, it is best not to engage with them.

"It's better to be rude and hang up than be robbed from them," McDougall recommended. "Don't respond to suspicious emails from people that you did not initiate contact."

AARP Idaho is hosting an event alongside the Idaho Department of Finance and Idaho Commission on Aging. The first is in Twin Falls on Tuesday. Fraud prevention events will be in Idaho Falls on Wednesday, Coeur d'Alene on Friday and Garden City on Oct. 30.

McDougall noted cons have been around for a long time because they work. She pointed out one scam prevalent in Idaho is the romance scam. McDougall advised people not to send their money to suspicious places or people.

"That's always a red flag," McDougall cautioned. "If you're thinking you're in a relationship with someone and they're asking for you to invest in a cryptocurrency website."

McDougall added if someone is scammed, it is important to report it as quickly as possible.

"There's a very small window of time that law enforcement can actually take steps to try to recover your money," McDougall stressed. "Because after usually around 48 hours, they're just going to be gone."

Disclosure: AARP Idaho contributes to our fund for reporting on Consumer Issues, Energy Policy, Health Issues, and Senior Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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