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There was a full evening of activities for the National Night Out Block Party held at Heritage House Tuesday.
“National Night out is always a big deal for the sheriff’s office,” Sgt. Phil Wickwire said.
A variety of games were set up for kids, including a duck pond and cake walk, as well as arts and crafts.
They also were barbecuing up some hotdogs and hamburgers for those in attendance.
But the night wasn’t all fun and games. Safety information ranging from seniors falling to scams was presented to those in attendance.
Fire Cpt. Bill Doan presented information on preventing falls, as well as information on storm safety and what they should do in case of severe weather.
“How do you know there is a tornado or severe weather?” Doan asked.
Two people had National Weather Radios and could notify the residents at Heritage House. In addition, there is a storm siren not far from the facility, which can be heard inside.
“It usually gives you 10 minutes warning,” he said.
Wickwire also talked about scams going on in the county.
“There are two scams affecting senior citizens right now in Butler County,” he said.
One scam is from people claiming to be with Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance.
They will contact a person on the phone to conduct a phone survey and ask for the insurance number on the person’s card.
“People are giving it to them,” Wickwire said.
That person then uses the number to purchase medical equipment with that card.
Another scam involves VISA credit cards.
“This affects a lot of people,” Wickwire said.
Someone saying they are from VISA’s securities and fraud department will call up a customer and even provide a badge number. Then they tell the person their card has been compromised and asked if they recently made a purchase from a telemarketer. When the cardholder says they have not, the caller asks for the card number and three digit code on the back, saying they will issue the money back to the card. They tell the cardholder if they have any questions they can call the credit card company the next day because it will take that long to get it into the system.
“That person (who is doing the scam) then calls VISA and says their card has been compromised,” Wickwire said.
They will close the person’s account and open a new one with a new pin number in the victim’s name.
There was a full evening of activities for the National Night Out Block Party held at Heritage House Tuesday.
“National Night out is always a big deal for the sheriff’s office,” Sgt. Phil Wickwire said.
A variety of games were set up for kids, including a duck pond and cake walk, as well as arts and crafts.
They also were barbecuing up some hotdogs and hamburgers for those in attendance.
But the night wasn’t all fun and games. Safety information ranging from seniors falling to scams was presented to those in attendance.
Fire Cpt. Bill Doan presented information on preventing falls, as well as information on storm safety and what they should do in case of severe weather.
“How do you know there is a tornado or severe weather?” Doan asked.
Two people had National Weather Radios and could notify the residents at Heritage House. In addition, there is a storm siren not far from the facility, which can be heard inside.
“It usually gives you 10 minutes warning,” he said.
Wickwire also talked about scams going on in the county.
“There are two scams affecting senior citizens right now in Butler County,” he said.
One scam is from people claiming to be with Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance.
They will contact a person on the phone to conduct a phone survey and ask for the insurance number on the person’s card.
“People are giving it to them,” Wickwire said.
That person then uses the number to purchase medical equipment with that card.
Another scam involves VISA credit cards.
“This affects a lot of people,” Wickwire said.
Someone saying they are from VISA’s securities and fraud department will call up a customer and even provide a badge number. Then they tell the person their card has been compromised and asked if they recently made a purchase from a telemarketer. When the cardholder says they have not, the caller asks for the card number and three digit code on the back, saying they will issue the money back to the card. They tell the cardholder if they have any questions they can call the credit card company the next day because it will take that long to get it into the system.
“That person (who is doing the scam) then calls VISA and says their card has been compromised,” Wickwire said.
They will close the person’s account and open a new one with a new pin number in the victim’s name.
“That VISA is then being used worldwide for purchases under $499,” Wickwire said.
They keep it under $500 so that it is not a felony if prosecuted.
“Please do not give this information out,” Wickwire urged.
He pointed out that Blue Cross Blue Shield and VISA have people’s card numbers because they issued them, so they would not call and ask for them.
The other scam he discussed is the jury scam. This is where people are called up and told they missed jury duty and face a $500 fine and must go turn themselves in to be arrested. They are offered an alternative to pay $250 and it will be taken care of. They are then told to mail a check to the clerk of the district court, but given someone else’s address to mail it to.
He said they will not be called about jury duty. Either a person will receive a letter in the mail or an officer will come see them.
The night continued with more games and a pie judging contest.
National Night Out is held each year.
