Scams are crimes that we can try to avoid

A heartfelt thank you to Jeanette Voss and Martha “Mickey” Pullen for sharing your stories in a recent Seven Days article, Cyber Scams Are Leaving Older Vermonters Destitute, Frustrated and Saddled with Tax Debt. Your stories help us understand that scams are malicious criminal operations that succeed through thievery. You have helped others to see that responding to a scam is deeply human and natural. Scams are crimes. Scams are never the fault of the people they harm.

Scam Targeting Wedding Officiants and Venders

Do you officiate, photograph, cater or provide other wedding services? If so, scammers may try to steal your money by claiming to be potential clients. Several Vermont Justices of the Peace reported to the Consumer Assistance Program a scam in which fake wedding planners reached out to them using fake email addresses. First they asked… Continue reading Scam Targeting Wedding Officiants and Venders

Computer Tech Support Scam Alert

Vermonters have reported an uptick of the Computer Tech Support phishing scam, specifically claiming to be from “V-Tech Solutions”. This scam usually comes as a robocall claiming that the recipient will be charged for antivirus software and instructing them to call back to cancel the charge. This scam uses a common scare tactic of an… Continue reading Computer Tech Support Scam Alert

Small Business Flood Relief Resources and Action Steps

Update August, 20, 2024: “FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of Vermont to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storm, flooding, landslides and mudslides from July 9-11, 2024” (https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20240820/president-joseph-r-biden-jr-approves-major-disaster-declaration-vermont). As businesses rebuild what was lost and purchase new items after the floods, we urge businesses to engage… Continue reading Small Business Flood Relief Resources and Action Steps