Following Hurricane Ida, flooding in Tennessee and on the East Coast, the wildfires in the West, and other natural disasters scammers are on the scene preying on people who are trying to recover. Tips on ways you can avoid common post-disaster scams are:
Twenty years ago, on Sept. 11, I was just beginning a vacation in Spain and Portugal with my daughters. It was frightening to be so far from home and not know what was happening. Here’s the account of my vacation that appeared in The Tacoma (Washington) News Tribune on Oct. 3, 2001:
Generac is recalling about 321,160 Generac and DR 6500 Watt and 8000 Watt portable generators in the United States and 4,575 in Canada. An unlocked handle can pinch consumers’ fingers against the generator frame when the generator is moved, posing finger amputation and crushing hazards.
It isn’t over yet, so keep wearing masks and social distancing. It’s worrisome that people are rushing to go to activities again. While it’s exciting that millions of people are being vaccinated, kids are back in school, and the cases and deaths from coronavirus went down and are now plateauing, this is far from over.
Winter can bring Arctic blasts, burst pipes, power outages, and icicles. When the weather turns cold, and especially when big storms occur, scammers aren’t far behind. Scammers know severe weather may shut off your electricity, heat, and water, and they might pose as your utility company.
Although half of U.S. adults plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, less than one-quarter of them plan to go out for dinner, down from previous years. However, a survey reported that 41 percent said they’d plan a special dinner or celebration at home.
Walter Kidde Portable Equipment will pay $12 million to settle charges that the company failed to inform the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in a timely manner about problems with fire extinguishers made by the company.
Government officials are predicting covid-19 vaccines will be available by the end of the year. However, plans for distribution are still being developed. Two vaccine manufacturers have submitted applications to the FDA.
I should have been more prepared. The Australians warned us. The wildfires they experienced during their summer fire season were the worst in history. But here I am. Not only staying home due to covid-19, but now, I have to stay inside due to smoky air from wildfires.
