skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, February 20, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump Orders End to Federal Benefits for Undocumented Migrants; AL Senate committee advances bill to teach middle schoolers conflict resolution; Public health experts warn about pollution from burned plastics in LA fires; Schools struggle to keep up with diabetes tech, leaving parents to fill gaps.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

State legislators chip away at early voting laws, the North Carolina Supreme Court election saga continues, and universal private school voucher programs expand nationwide, putting public school funding at risk.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

A Taos, NM sheriff won't comply with immigration enforcement that could erode public trust, NH worries that a dearth of charging stations will force tourists driving EVs to vacation elsewhere, and Southern states promote workarounds to improve education.

Iowans lose millions in impostor scams

play audio
Play

Wednesday, February 7, 2024   

AARP Iowa is calling on lawmakers to help prevent gift-card scams during this year's legislative session.

Impostor scams have been the number one consumer fraud scam in Iowa for nine years running and commonly seek payment via gift cards.

Paige Yontz, state advocacy manager for AARP Iowa, said impostors play on a victim's fears, usually tied to family members.

"A gift card scams takes place when somebody reaches out and said, 'Hey, your son or daughter is in trouble. They're in jail, perhaps, and the fastest way to get them out is to go buy a gift card and read me the numbers on the back so I can get them out,'" Yontz explained.

While it may sound like common sense not to do so, Yontz pointed out victims often panic and follow the impostor's orders. AARP Iowa is pushing for a measure designed to educate people about gift card scams and encourages consumers to think twice before falling victim. Gift card scams cost Americans close to $150 million in 2023, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

AARP reported one in three people say they know someone who has been the target of a gift card scam, and one in four adults say they are not aware being asked to send money via a gift card is fraudulent. Yontz noted the measure being considered would require retailers to help educate consumers at the point of sale.

"Legislation that would require any retailer who sells a gift card other than their own to post a notice about what a gift card scam is and how to contact the A.G.'s Consumer Protection Division for help," Yontz added.

Companion bills await Iowa House and Senate subcommittee action.

Disclosure: AARP Iowa contributes to our fund for reporting on Budget Policy and Priorities, Community Issues and Volunteering, Consumer Issues, and Health Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
Continuous glucose monitors are now used by most of the estimated 300,000 people in the United Staates who are younger than age 20 and living with Type 1 diabetes, according to health experts. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

By Phil Galewitz for KFF Health News.Broadcast version by Trimmel Gomes for Florida News Connection reporting for the KFF Health News-Public News Serv…


play sound

After thousands of homes and businesses burned in the Los Angeles fires, public health doctors are warning about the toxic pollution from plastics …

Social Issues

play sound

As Congress continues to threaten deep cuts to the Medicaid program, a new KFF report shows how some of the proposed changes could end coverage for …


Montana's Lewis and Clark Caverns were first protected by the Department of the Interior under President Teddy Roosevelt in 1908. Management was transferred to the state of Montana in 1937. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Over the last 120 years, U.S. presidents have used the Antiquities Act almost 300 times to recognize national monuments, protecting portions of …

play sound

New legislation would transition more ocean-going container ships to run off electricity instead of diesel while they are docked at Washington ports…

More than 7.5% of the Commonwealth's electricity comes from solar power. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Virginia lawmakers and clean air advocates are closely watching budget talks in Congress. They hope clean energy tax incentives, passed in previous …

Social Issues

play sound

As Mississippi grapples with chronic violence and unconstitutional conditions in its prisons, new research provides a roadmap for reducing harm and …

Environment

play sound

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Eric Galatas for Colorado News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabora…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021