“Break the Silence of Domestic Abuse”
Finding Our Voices will host a Community Conversation here in the Begin Family Community Room at the Carrabassett Valley Public Library on Wednesday, April 22 from 4:00-5:30pm.
Free and open to the public.
Bereavement Scams
| •Someone contacts you from the funeral home or cemetery about a problem with your form of payment.•A long-lost relative of the deceased reaches out to offer sympathy or reminisce.•A “spiritual adviser” offers to connect you with your loved one from the afterworld. |
| What You Should Know•Scammers comb through obituaries, funeral home websites, and online memorials to find names and personal details they can use to target families.•In some cases, criminals use a deceased person’s information to commit identity fraud by illicitly obtaining sensitive personal information to take over existing financial accounts or create new ones.•Other tactics involve posing as a distant relative or old friend of the deceased to build a trust relationship over time that can evolve into a scam aimed at stealing inheritance money. |
| What You Should Do•Consider the public nature of an obituary and online memorials, and limit information that could be used to deceive you.•If the funeral home calls demanding money, hang up and call them back at a number you know to be legitimate.•If a “long-lost” relative or friend reaches out, ask other family members or longtime friends if they know the person.•It is not a legitimate business if it seeks payment by wire transfer, cryptocurrency, gift cards or peer-to-peer apps. |
reprinted from AARP Fraud Watch Network
Most Seniors Don’t Realize They Can Take Advantage of These Things
- Goodwill Senior Discount: Some Goodwill regions offer a senior discount on a set day (details vary by location and are not nationwide).
- Kohl’s Senior Day: 15% in-store discount every Wednesday for customers aged 60 and older at many locations.
- Walgreens Seniors Day: Seniors Day happens on the first Tuesday of each month—customers aged 55+ can get 20% off eligible regular-priced items (myWalgreens membership required).
- Amazon Prime Discount: Amazon offers Prime Access (a discounted Prime membership) for customers enrolled in qualifying government assistance programs (not based on age alone).
- Best Western Senior Discounts: Discounted room rates are available for guests aged 55 and older (discount amount varies).
- Denny’s Senior Discount: Denny’s offers a 55+ menu. AARP members can also get 15% off their check at participating locations (with a max discount limit).
- AMC Theatres Senior Pricing: AMC offers senior ticket pricing for guests aged 60+.
- Amtrak Senior Discounts: Amtrak travelers aged 65+ are eligible for a 10% discount on most rail fares (with separate age rules on some cross-border services).
- National Park Service Senior Pass: U.S. citizens or permanent residents aged 62+ can buy a lifetime Senior Pass for $80, covering entry at federal recreation sites.
- AT&T Senior Plan: AT&T offers an AT&T 55+ plan for eligible customers aged 55+ (terms and availability can vary, and eligibility must be verified).
Social Security Impostor Scam
| One of the most common ways criminals steal money and sensitive information is by impersonating a trusted source—often a government agency like the Social Security Administration (SSA). |
| According to the Federal Trade Commission, victims of SSA scams had more than $110 million stolen from them in 2025. And that number only reflects what was reported. These crimes don’t just drain individual savings; they also help fund broader criminal networks, including transnational organized crime and drug and human trafficking. |
| How It Works•You get an unexpected urgent communication from SSA.•They may claim that your Social Security number has been linked to criminal activity and suspended.•They may bear good news, perhaps that you qualify for a benefit increase.•And they’ll likely insist on secrecy, pressuring you not to discuss the situation with anyone. |
| What You Should Know•Regardless of the story they tell, the perpetrators are looking to steal from you—whether it’s sensitive information or your Social Security number.•To lend legitimacy to their story, they may claim to be from the SSA Office of Inspector General, use the name of an SSA employee, or send letters on what looks to be SSA letterhead.•SSA does not contact people out of the blue and will never use pressure to pay a fee, transfer money or share sensitive personal or financial information.•These Social Security scams include three red flags common to most scams: a contact from out of the blue that heightens our emotions and contains urgency. |
| What You Should Do•When you notice these three red flags together, take what AARP calls an “active pause”—an intentional step back to reflect: Is this something I’ve heard of? Does this make sense? This pause gives you time to apply logic—something the criminal playbook is written to avoid—and protect yourself and your assets.•If you receive a concerning communication from SSA, contact SSA directly at 800-772-1213 (or you can log in or set up a “My Social Security Account” by visiting ssa.gov/myaccount.)•If you shared your Social Security number and believe it was part of a scam, go to IDtheft.gov for step-by-step guidance on protecting yourself from identity fraud.•Learn more about AARP’s campaign, Pause, Reflect, Protect, at aarp.org/pause. |
7 Reasons to File your Taxes Early
The early bird may get the worm, and those who file their tax returns far ahead of April 15 can reap a variety of benefits, too.
Here are seven reasons to file your taxes as early as possible. (Plus, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that this annual, often-dreaded task is squared away.)
1. You’ll get your refund sooner
One reason to file early is that you will likely receive your refund faster. The IRS will begin accepting 2025 tax returns on Jan. 26. The agency says most taxpayers receive their refunds within 21 days when filing electronically, barring any issues with processing their returns.
“The IRS processes early filings first,” says Mark Gallegos, a tax partner at Porte Brown in the Chicago area. “If you’re in the front of the line, you get your refund quicker.”
2. You’ll have more time to pay Uncle Sam
Taxpayers have until April 15 to make a payment regardless of when they file, so if you owe the IRS money for the 2025 tax year, filing early provides more time to manage paying off the debt, says Desmond Hudson, owner of Hudson Tax Services in Philadelphia.
It also gives you more time to explore the option of a payment plan if you can’t afford to pay what you owe in full by April 15. The IRS offers both short- and long-term payment plans. You can find more information at IRS.gov/paymentplan.
3. You can get a head start on planning for a tax-friendly 2026
Completing your 2025 filing promptly allows you to start preparing for 2026. If you owe taxes this year, you may want to increase your withholding or estimated taxes so that you’re not in the hole in 2027. The sooner you adjust your withholding or estimated taxes, the less likely you’ll owe Uncle Sam money next year.
Conversely, if you’re due a big refund this year, you may want to reduce your withholding to keep more money in your pocket throughout the year.
4. You’ll have more time to fix errors
Filing as soon as possible provides you more time to address any surprises that may pop up, like an inaccurate tax form from your employer. In addition, “Early filers have more runway to locate missing documents,” Gallegos says.
If the IRS finds an error on your 2025 return, you’ll most likely need to file an amended return using Form 1040-X.
5. The IRS typically has shorter wait times if you need to call them
Generally, the earlier you file, the easier it is to reach an IRS representative if you have a question or encounter a problem. Kamila Elliott, CEO of financial planning firm Collective Wealth Partners in Atlanta, says the IRS usually has shorter wait times in February compared with March and April. “They’re more communicative because it hasn’t really gotten busy yet,” she says.
6. It’s your best defense against tax-related identity theft
Filing early can reduce the risk of fraud, such as a bad actor submitting a return in your name using stolen personal data like your Social Security number. “Unfortunately, we know this happens, but fraudsters can’t file under your name once your real return is already in the system,” says Gallegos.You can also protect yourself by obtaining an identity protection pin (IP PIN) from the IRS. This six-digit number, which changes every year, helps the IRS verify your identity when processing your return. If you put the wrong IP PIN or don’t list it on your return, your electronic return will be rejected, and a paper return will take longer to process while the IRS validates your identity. The fastest way to obtain an IP PIN is on the IRS website.
7. You’ll get more face time with your tax preparer
If you’re using a tax professional to help prepare your return, scheduling meetings with them is usually easier earlier in the tax filing season, because many taxpayers procrastinate.
Gathering the paperwork you need to file your return
Ensure you have all the necessary documents to file your return. For most taxpayers, the following are required:
- Form W-2 to report wages if you worked as an employee.
- Schedule C to report income and business expenses if you were self-employed.
- Form 1099-G if you collected unemployment.
- Form 1099-R if you received distributions from pensions, annuities, retirement plans or IRAs.
- Form SSA-1099 if you received Social Security benefits.
- Form 1099-INT if you need to report interest income on investments.
- Form 1099-DIV if you received dividends earned on investments.
- Form 1099-B if you sold investments. (Many brokerage firms provide a combined 1099 statement covering interest, dividends and capital gains.)
- Form 1098 if you paid mortgage interest.
- Documentation for any charitable donations.
- Form 1095-A if you obtained health insurance through the government’s marketplace.
- Form 1099-SA if you received a distribution from a health savings account (HSA), Medicare Advantage Medical Savings Account (MSA) or Archer MSA.
Make sure to also get all of the federal tax forms you’ll need to file your return.
How to track your refund
After you’ve filed your federal return, you can use the IRS’s “Where’s My Refund?” to monitor its progress across three stages: return received, refund approved and refund sent. There is also a mobile app, IRS2Go, available in English and Spanish, that lets you track your refund.
reprinted from AARP.
Not Just Romance: The Rise of Friendship Scams
| Online romance scams have been wreaking havoc for years. A growing trend has a similar path, but the focus is on building deep trust friendships, and seeking to steal every last penny from the target. |
| Here’s how friendship scams work. |
| How It Works•You meet someone online through social media or another platform. They may comment on your posts or reach out by direct message.•Or you could receive what appears to be a wrong-number text (“Hi, are we still on for dinner tonight?”). You reply to be polite, and a conversation begins.•Over time (weeks, months – sometimes years), a deep trust relationship develops.•Eventually, your new friend asks for financial help, or they may pitch an investment opportunity that they have made a lot of money with, and want you to benefit from their knowledge. |
| What You Should Know•Criminals infiltrate social media and other online spaces (yes, even texting your phone), showing interest in things you’re interested in or claiming to be in similar circumstances to form emotional connections.•The platonic nature may reduce suspicion, making these scams harder to recognize.•The money subject comes up as a personal and urgent need for your financial help, or a can’t-miss investment opportunity.•The nature of the criminal enterprises behind this scam is to steal everything from their victims. |
| What You Should Do•Ignore (or delete and report if your phone has that option) seemingly errant text messages.•Be exceedingly cautious getting to know new friends online; this scam is everywhere right now.•Tell a close friend or family member about a new relationship, or call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline to talk to someone trained in scams (877-908-3360).•If you become a victim, immediately contact the relevant financial institution to see if you can get back any of your money.•Report to local law enforcement (and insist on a report), and to the FBI at IC3.gov. |
reprinted from AARP Fraud Warch Network
Free Tax Help
AARP Tax-aide for people of all ages. Free Tax Return Preparation. Federal and State Tax Returns.
February 11-April 8,2026.
Taxes are prepared and electronically filed by IRS-Certified Volunteer Tax Preparers.
Wednesdays:9 am-3 pm.at the Carrabassett Valley Library. Call for an appointment: (978) 500-4329.
211 Maine
211 Maine is a free, confidential helpline that assists all Mainers in finding local resources to help meet their basic needs and thrive. Mainers can connect to specialists and receive information and referrals by calling 211, texting their zip code to 898-211, or searching at 211Maine.org.
211 Specialists can help find things like heating fuel payment assistance, food pantries, substance use treatment and recovery resources, and more.
Thousands of people reach out to 211 Maine every month looking for help for themselves or someone they know. Last year, the top needs received by 211 Maine included heating and utility assistance, housing and shelter resources, and mental health and substance use support.
211 Maine is an initiative of the Maine chapters of United Way Worldwide in partnership with the State of Maine. The Opportunity Alliance serves as the contact center partner.
Identity Theft Awareness
| Each year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads Identity Theft Awareness Week, a national initiative held in late January on how to avoid identity theft, recover if it happens, and spot these scams before they occur. |
| American adults lost $47 billion to identity fraud and scams in 2024, according to an AARP-sponsored report from by Javelin Strategy & Research. The problem is huge, and our personal information can be compromised through everything from sophisticated data breaches to simple mail theft. Below are some key steps to help protect you and your loved ones. |
| Reduce Your Paper Trail•Set up online access to your bank and credit card accounts and enroll in paperless billing to reduce the risk of physical theft of your personal information.•Shred sensitive documents—such as bank statements, tax forms, and medical bills—before discarding them.•Keep your Social Security card stored securely at home, and avoid leaving any personal information in your car, even if it’s locked. |
| Strengthen Your Security Measures•Use strong and unique passwords for each account, enable multifactor authentication whenever it’s offered, avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions, and install reputable security software on your devices.•Monitor your credit report for suspicious activity and consider freezing your credit with all three major credit bureaus to help prevent criminals from opening accounts in your name.•File your tax return as early as you can—tax identity thieves who have obtained personal information often try to file first. You can go to irs.gov to request a personal identification number to associate with your return each year; IRS won’t process your return without it, adding an important layer of protection. |
| Protect Your Privacy•Make sure your social media accounts are set to private and avoid oversharing information such as your birthday, hometown, family members, or education history.•It’s risky to enter personal information into AI programs or chat tools; chat logs are not a confidential resource. |
Criminals Are Stealing More Money Through Text Scams Than Ever Before
The word “smishing” comes from combining “SMS” — which stands for Short Message Service, the technology behind texting — with “phishing,” the practice of trying to steal personal or financial information through deceptive communications, primarily emails. Basically, it’s phishing by another means, namely, text messages on mobile devices.
Like phishing emails, smishing texts are social-engineering scams that aim to manipulate people into revealing payment or sensitive data such as Social Security numbers, credit card numbers and account passwords or providing access to your laptop. They rely on persuading you that the sender is a familiar or trusted source and that urgent action is needed to secure a benefit, resolve a problem or avert a threat.
While the number of reports of scams with a text declined in 2024, the amount of money stolen skyrocketed, with victims reporting $470 million in theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). That’s more than five times what was reported in 2020. Experts agree that underreporting makes it likely that the actual amount is far higher.
6 common smishing scams
A scam text might say you’ve won a lottery prize or you missed a toll road payment. It could look like an alert from a government agency, such as Social Security or the IRS, or link to a phony invoice or cancellation notice for a product or service you supposedly bought. Here are six of the most common scams:
1. Fake delivery-related text messages. These texts appear to be from the likes of Amazon, FedEx or the U.S. Postal Service, about an impending package or a shipment snafu. You may be sent to a website, where you’re asked to verify your address and perhaps pay a small “redelivery fee.”
2. Phony job offers.. Someone may claim to be from a recruiter who has a job. Employment opportunities were the third most common fraud reported to the FTC in 2024. Victims may end up as unwitting money mules, putting up their own money for equipment with the promise of reimbursement or revealing private financial information when applying for a phony job.
3. Bogus bank fraud warnings.. These texts may appear to be from your financial institution with urgent messages to verify a transaction. Your response, whether a click or a call, gives scammers the means to steal your money or sensitive information or to infect your device with malware.
4. Fake claims that you have unpaid tolls. Notices that you failed to pay road tolls may be sent by text along with a link to click on to pay the toll amount you “owe.”
5. Messages that appear to have been sent to the wrong number. Scammers will text with a simple “hi” or a message arranging an appointment or meeting with someone. If you write back, they’ll start a conversation that may lead to a romance or cryptocurrency investment scam (these schemes are often combined).
6. Warnings that an account has expired. These texts might appear to come from a mobile provider, or a service like Amazon, Netflix or PayPal, claiming your account has expired or been locked and you need to provide personal information or click on a link to reactivate it. That gives the scammers means to steal your money, identity or to infect your device with malware.
Warning signs of a smishing scam
Here are a few red flags that a text is a scam:
- The message directs you to click a link to resolve a problem, win a prize or access a service.
- The exchange leads to requests for personal information, such as your Social Security number, bank account information or an online account password.
- The sender claims to be from a government agency. Government bodies almost never initiate contact with someone by phone or text, according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
How to protect yourself from this scam
Filter unknown messages. Consider using tools that filter or block unwanted messages or unknown senders. Your mobile device may have spam protection. Check the settings on its messaging app. Major wireless carriers offer free call-blocking apps. You can also find companies that, for a monthly fee, provide scam-blocking services.
Avoid replying. Don’t respond, even if the message says you can “text STOP” to avoid more messages. That tells the scammer or spammer your number is active and can be sold to other bad actors.
Never click on links in suspicious texts. They could install malware on your device or take you to a site that does the same.
Be aware that phone numbers can be spoofed. Scammers use caller ID spoofing to make it appear the text is from a trusted or local source.
How to report scams
Forward spam and scam texts to 7726. The FTC has instructions on how to do this here.
Report suspected smishing to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Not every complaint leads to enforcement action, but the information can help officials to spot trends and sometimes identify the criminals. If money has been stolen from you, report the crime to your local law enforcement and to the FBI at www.ic3.gov.
For support and guidance, contact the trained fraud specialists at the free AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline, 877 -908-3360. The AARP Fraud Watch Network also offers online group support sessions for victims and their family members.