Scam alert! News on the latest cons and frauds

Dear Candace: I received a telephone call recently from an individual identifying himself as an AT&T Service Technician who was conducting a test on the telephone lines. He stated that to complete the test I should touch nine (9), zero (0), the pound sign (#) and hang up.Luckily, I was suspicious and refused to comply with the instructions given. Upon contacting the telephone company, I was informed that by dialing "90#," you give the requesting individual full access to your telephone line, which enables them to place long distance calls billed to your home phone number. JUST SAY NO! - Tom G.Dear Readers: Here's another one. Tips for those pesky out-of-state and out-of-country lotteries. 1) First ask yourself "Did I play the lottery in ... (insert state or country of lottery here)? 2) Do not send anyone money "in order to claim your lottery winnings." You do not need to send money up front to receive your winnings (real or not). 3) If you receive a check (or what looks like a check) and you are requested to send in "a fraction of your winnings" to pay the taxes OR WHATEVER, don't do it. These checks are bogus. Here's how one of the scams works: You receive a check and a letter telling you the check is yours to keep because you've won the lottery, and all you have to do is cover the taxes on your "winnings," so you deposit the "check" and send a check to cover the taxes on your winnings. By the time you find out the check you deposited isn't real, your check has been cashed and the scammers are long gone.So, just for good measure, anytime you receive a letter stating "You've won" take a minute and ask yourself, "Did I play?" and listen to your answer.Dear Candace: My great-aunt lives with me, which has worked very well for both of us until recently. As she ages, she seems to be becoming lonelier. She doesn't get out as much as she used to, except for occasional outings with some of the ladies she goes to church with. My real concern is that she seems sad to me and I don't know how to help her or even if I should talk to her about it. What do you think? - JuliaDear Julia: I do think it's worth talking about, I would also recommend she see her doctor as this sadness may be depression. In my non-medical experience, depression is not uncommon in seniors. Of course, depression is not exclusive to seniors and anyone experiencing "sadness" should seek medical advice first. If isolation is found to be the culprit (or even part of the culprit) then the solution may be as simple as a senior day program such as Recreation and Respite or Health For All. Recreation and Respite is a program available to seniors (with physical or memory impairments) and to their caregivers. The program provides activities for frail seniors who can benefit from socializing, ultimately preventing isolation. It also provides support for their caregivers by allowing them to pursue their own interests while leaving their loved ones in a safe environment. Finally, it facilitates a caregiver support group.Recreation and Respite currently meets from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Tuesday at the Multipurpose Senior Center in Auburn. For more information on enrollment requirements and fees, contact Joni Trykar at (916) 781-1559.Health For All is adult day care with a health component. They offer a day program Monday through Friday but also have the added advantage for those who need it of offering some ongoing medical services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, diabetic needs, etc. For more information on enrollment requirements and fees, call (530) 885-2655.Another consideration might be the Friendly Visitor Program. This is a program which helps relieve isolation by matching a volunteer with a homebound senior for a weekly visit. The visit usually takes place in the senior's home, however, it may take place elsewhere as well. For more information on the Friendly Visitor Program, please call (530) 888-8319.And last but not least, there is Senior Peer Counseling. This is a program where seniors help other seniors who may be lonely, grieving, isolated, needing community support, etc. For more information on this program, please call (530) 889-7240.Candace Roeder is the Executive Director of Seniors First/SeniorLink. Send your senior-related questions to: A Time For Seniors, c/o Seniors First/SeniorLink, 13620 Lincoln Way, Suite 370, Auburn, CA, 95603, or call (530) 889-9500. Please include your name and phone number with your questions.