CSLEA Foundation

12/28/2020

If you are planning on using your or , ensure that you keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from the heat source. Your actions during these colder months can help prevent a fire disaster in your home.

10/22/2020

Imposter scams often begin with a call, text message, or email. The scams may vary, but work the same way – a scammer pretends to be someone you trust to convince you to send them money or share personal information. How to spot, avoid, and report imposter scams: http://go.usa.gov/x7CM

10/22/2020

Scammers are hiding out on social media, using ads and offers to market their scams, according to people’s reports to the FTC and a new Data Spotlight. In the first six months of 2020, people reported losing a record high of almost $117 million to scams that started on social media. People sent money to online sellers that didn’t deliver, to romance scammers, and for phony offers of financial help. The biggest group of reports were about online sellers that didn’t deliver the goods. People mentioned Facebook or Instagram in 94% of reports that identified a specific platform, many saying they ordered after seeing an ad, according to the Data Spotlight. More: http://go.usa.gov/x7CVv

09/25/2020

https://humboldtgov.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=3288

Fake check scam targets Humboldt County Resident

09/23/2020

Information regarding scam in Monterey County.

We provide an environment that is positive and courteous and employ individuals of high ethical standards, character and professional courage. We maintain public confidence by providing efficient and effective services and encourage open communication to promote the best interests of the community.

09/23/2020

COMMUNITY BULLETIN - UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FRAUD

Since the onset of Covid-19, the State of California Employment Development Department (EDD) has seen a significant increase in fraudulent unemployment claims. The EDD is aggressively fighting fraud in the wake of unscrupulous attacks on the unemployment program here in California and across the country. These perpetrators are often using stolen identity information from national and global data breaches, as well as exploiting expedited payment efforts in the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. Claims identified with suspicious account information have been closed and EDD investigators are partnering with local, state, and federal law enforcement to expose and prosecute offenders to the fullest extent of the law.

Unemployment benefits are commonly distributed on VISA debit cards, and can sometimes carry a balance of several thousand dollars. Recently, Burbank Police have made several arrests of individuals found to be in possession of EDD VISA cards in other people’s names.

To help combat the increase in unemployment fraud, merchants and retailers are reminded to check identification for purchases made with credit and/or debit cards, especially those issued by the EDD.

Residents are encouraged to monitor incoming mail and to “return to sender” any unexpected mail from the EDD.

The best way to report unemployment fraud is to submit a Fraud Reporting Form online (https://askedd.edd.ca.gov/Fraud.aspx). You can also fax the form to 1-866-340-5484, or call the EDD Fraud Hotline, at 1-800-229-6297.

Penalties for unemployment insurance fraud can include prosecution by government authorities, possible jail or prison sentences, repaying the unemployment benefits collected (plus penalties and fines), loss of future income tax refunds, and losing eligibility to collect unemployment insurance benefits in the future.

Unlawful or unauthorized possession or use of an EDD VISA card is also a crime.

For more information, visit the State of California EDD Fraud and Penalties page at https://edd.ca.gov/unemployment/fraud_and_penalties_what_you_need_to_know.htm

To read a PDF version of this Community Bulletin, visit bit.ly/2Ho4QXk

08/17/2020

Be careful when you see those "fun" questionnaires and think about the personal information that you are sharing to others!

08/05/2020

Don’t judge a company by its website. Scammers create flashy websites to trick you into paying for products you’ll never receive. Before you make an online purchase, check if the retailer and its website are legitimate. http://ow.ly/5PHv50AQseg

07/28/2020

Recently the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has become aware of a number of reports regarding unsolicited seeds from China being received by homeowners throughout the US. …

06/18/2020

What can I do about a bad mechanic? How do I fight a health insurance denial? Where can I report fraud? We’ve compiled this comprehensive list of resources to help answer your burning consumer questions.

05/26/2020

Please keep your pets safe in this hot weather! No pet should be left in a car for even a minute in this heat. We have the authority to take all steps that are reasonably necessary to remove the animal, this does include breaking your car window.

Penal Code 597.7(a) "No person shall leave or confine an animal in any unattended motor vehicle under conditions that endanger the health or well-being of an animal due to heat, cold, lack of adequate ventilation, or lack of food or water, or other circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause suffering, disability, or death to the animal."