Watch Your Step by Jim Breen Issues & Opinions Editor
Mutual 5 resident Judy Carter-Johnson was alarmed by a letter she received from the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), provided by the U.S. Department of Treasury.
The “disclosure” letter was sent in the event that an error or problem ever arises when a taxpayer makes a payment electronically.
Three questions were asked of Carter-Johnson, including a request for her Social Security number
The scammers included an 800 number to call “in case of errors or questions about your a transaction.”
Those who call are led to a website with malware (malicious software) designed to infect computers.
The IRS warns consumers who may have received such messages from people misrepresenting the IRS or EFTPS.
• Do not reply to the sender, access links on the site or submit any information.
• Forward the message as-is immediately to phishing@irs.gov.
• Suspicious e-mails or URL information should be sent to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov.
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Mutual 5 resident Alma Zamzow got two telephone calls informing her that she won $2 million in “the lottery.” No specific lottery was mentioned.
On the second call, she was instructed to go to Western Union or Wal-Mart to wire some cash to cover taxes on her new fortune.
“Why not just take it from my winnings?” asked Zamzow.
With no ready answer, the dimwit hung up.
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Marie Chapman of Mutual 1 was surprised to get a bill from the Bradford Exchange in Illinois for partial payment of a “Daughter, I Love You to the Moon” ring.
She was instructed to send the minimum payment of $23.22 for the $59 bauble in a special envelope that was thoughtfully provided.
One problem: Chapman never ordered the ring.
Have you been the victim of a scam attempt? Send the details to jimbreen@lwsbnews.com or call 431-6586, ext. 387, Wednesday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Leisure World Reports
Security department reports from May 25-June 1:
Theft
May 31, Mutual 5, 10:15 a.m. A four-wheel push cart with a four-foot bed was taken from a carport.
May 31, Mutual 5, 4 p.m. A 30-inch sitting dog sculpture was missing from a patio of an estate sale.
Vandalism
May 31, Mutual 2, 12:10 p.m. An oily liquid was poured on a vehicle parked in front of an apartment.
Traffic
May 27, Maintenance Yard, 11:25 a.m. While a car was backing up, a trash collector was pushing a dumpster and the two collided.
Incidents
May 30, Mutual 8, 8:34 a.m. Shareholders were counseled not to put laundry in machines before 7 a.m. and not to remove others’ laundry from machine.
May 31, News Office, 4:17 p.m. A pylon was knocked down and broken at the parking area outside the News Office.
Woman’s Club
The Leisure World Woman’s Club will hold a card party and luncheon tomorrow, June 17, in Clubhouse 2.
Lunch, priced at $10 per person, will be served at noon.
Lunch tickets will be sold by table number. One person can pick up tickets for a table of four for $40. Everyone should be seated by 11:45 a.m.
At tables where substitute players for bridge or canasta are needed, call Joyce Bizzell at 596-0148 for their names.
Standing club rules require regularly attending card players to be current members of the Woman’s Club.
Membership cards should be taken to all events.
A guest invited to attend the card party luncheon may do so twice a year, must have a luncheon reservation and be accompanied by her sponsor.
Legion Auxiliary
American Legion Auxiliary Post 327 will hold a year-end luncheon at noon on Monday, June 20, in Clubhouse 4. The cost of the catered lunch is $15 per ticket.
Guests and spouses are invited to attend. No regular meeting is planned after the lunch.
Guest speaker will be Steve Kuykendall from Fisher House.
Today is the last day to call Eloise Knoll at 533-0773 for reservations. Tickets will not be sold at the door.
Tickets for the pancake breakfast on Aug. 20 in Clubhouse 2 will be mailed later this month.
To volunteer, call Lee Esslinger at 430-2891.
The annual picnic will be held on Labor Day, Sept. 5.
NA’AMAT USA
The local chapter of NA’AMAT USA will celebrate its achievements this year at a “Mazel Tov-Join and Re-join” luncheon at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, June 20 at the Red Wok Restaurant in Los Alamitos.
The group will also be celebrating 90 years of service and advocacy on behalf of the people of Israel and women around the globe.
NA’AMAT USA invites everyone from Leisure World and their guests, men and women, to lunch, for $15 per person, payable at the door.
That includes the meal, hot tea, egg roll, salad, fortune cookies, tax and tip. The menu will including vegetarian.
To attend,contact Darlene Rose today at 296-5140.
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Annual membership in NA’AMAT USA is $36. Until the end of June, a lifetime membership that is usually $250 will be offered at a special 90th anniversary price of $90 for people 90 and up and $180 for “pre-90s.”
Setting It Straight
Janice Laine of Mutual 2 was misidentified as a Mutual 5 resident in her letter to the editor (The News, June 9).