Take a Moment and Think
We have talked about different kinds of scams before but no matter how many times, there are always new scams and people who get taken in by them. Recently one of my twins, 18, called to tell me about a senior at the store he works struggling with a scam. The senior was putting money into a Bitcoin machine, Keegan stopped her to ask if she needed help and make sure she was knowledgeable about what she was doing. The money was not going to the family member, she thought it was. She was being scammed. He was heart broken and called me to vent.
First, let’s discuss what Bitcoin is. Bitcoin is a digital or virtual currency known as cryptocurrency. This is an exceedingly difficult thing for me to wrap my head around. Cryptocurrency exists in an electronic form only, there are not any physical coins or paper cryptocurrency. It is not backed up by a bank that can verify transactions or insure your money if the bank fails. With crypto, everything is digital, and funds exist in online databases called blockchains. Blockchains are like a virtual ledger that keep records of all the digital transactions associated with a cryptocurrency. Crypto can be used for making purchases and investing.
Ok so that is a very brief description of cryptocurrency. Unfortunately, when we do not understand something, it is easy to fall for scams. Bitcoin has ATM machines where you can put in real money and buy Bitcoin to be deposited into a virtual account. Scammers pretend to be a family member or an internet love interest and once you have deposited the money in their virtual account, that money is gone. Many of these transactions are untraceable which makes it difficult to recover money or find and punish the scammers.
So how do you protect yourself with a technology that is not well understood?
- Do your research and if you still are not certain then do nothing, it is not worth the risk.
- If someone reaches out to you even someone you “know” be cautious about sending money in any form, especially crypto or gift cards that have no way to recover the funds.
- If someone reaches out with an “investment” that seems too good to be true or offers unrealistically high returns, it is probably a scam.
- Double check any emails that want you to click a link or enter your personal information.
- If someone is pressuring you to act fast, they do not want you to think or research what you are doing.
- Trust your instincts, many times we know when something does not seem right and act against our own judgement.
Learning about new things can be intimidating and there is always innovative technology that can be overwhelming but try to stay informed and be cautious and do not be afraid to ask questions and accept help if offered. As always, you can call Aging Matters, 1-800-392-8771 if you have any questions or concerns. Because, Aging Matters.
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CHARITY/NONPROFITS
Missouri’s nonprofits are essential to the state’s well-being. They care for the most vulnerable among us, and provide many other valuable community resources.
The Missouri Attorney General is the guardian of nonprofits and charitable assets in Missouri. And in that role, the Attorney General seeks to foster and support an efficient and successful nonprofit sector.
The Attorney General also actively takes action against abuses in the nonprofit sector. If abuses are found, the Attorney General can prevent a nonprofit from taking certain actions, remove its directors, or even dissolve the nonprofit corporation.
If you would like to file a complaint regarding the misuse of charitable assets, or fraud or deception in a charitable solicitation,<
please click or call 800-392-8222.
Consumer Complaint
The Attorney General works to protect consumers and ensure a fair marketplace by enforcing Missouri’s Merchandising Practices Act, as well as other laws. By filing complaints, consumers let the Attorney General’s Office know about unscrupulous businesses and individuals. We rely on consumers to act as our partners in rooting out fraud and helping us bring criminals and scammers to justice.
In addition to filing criminal charges and civil lawsuits, the Attorney General’s Office also mediates complaints between businesses and consumers. Each year, this mediation process results in millions of dollars in restitution for consumers through an exchange of services, fulfillment of promises, and many other ways that resolve many disputes.
Because the Attorney General’s Office brings enforcement actions on behalf of the state, not individual consumers, it is prohibited by law from providing legal advice to you. If you want to preserve any private legal rights you might have, you may wish to contact a private attorney.
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What can I do if I feel an animal is being abused?
The Missouri Attorney General’s Office has authority to enforce certain provisions of the Missouri Animal Care Facilities Act (ACFA) and Canine Cruelty Prevention Act (CCPA). The Office will enforce the law as written, which includes holding accountable those who continue to violate those state laws and abuse or neglect Missouri’s animals. The Office may file a lawsuit upon substantiating allegations through complaints or referral by the Missouri Department of Agriculture. The Office works closely with the Department when taking action against substandard breeders across the state. The Office has worked to shut down numerous unlawful operations and rescued hundreds of animals from inhumane conditions.
Violations of the ACFA and CCPA may include operating without a license; failing to correct violations from facility inspections; housing animals in small enclosure spaces or spaces without solid resting areas; failing to provide potable food and water; neglecting veterinary care; failing to grant sufficient access to outdoor spaces; and failing to allow state inspectors access to the facility. For more information about the ACFA and CCPA, please refer to Chapter 273, RSMo by clicking here. You may also contact the Missouri Department of Agriculture here to check on the status of licensed entities and report suspected violations of the law.
You may also submit a complaint to the Attorney General’s Office to report violations. By completing the form below, you understand and agree to the following:
- The information you are providing in your complaint is truthful and accurate;
- The Attorney General’s Office is not your attorney, cannot provide you with legal advice, cannot represent you directly, and can take action only to enforce the law in the public’s interest;
- You will testify in Court as a witness upon lawful request if the Attorney General’s Office initiates a lawsuit based on the allegations in your complaint; and
- The Attorney General’s Office will maintain a copy of your complaint as a public record, and the information in it may be treated as an open record depending on the circumstances, and it may be provided to the Missouri Department of Agriculture, investigators, or the entity subject to your complaint.
- A complaint form and can be accessed by click HERE:
The ShowMe Times is offering a new series of informational articles from A-Z on many topics including Abuse and Neglect of the Elderly, Human Trafficking, Health and Wellness and many more topics. We need to stay educated and keep learning as we grow in life. Knowledge is the key to success!
What exactly is the Environmental Protection and the Attorney General's Office?
The Governmental Affairs Section aggressively protects Missouri’s natural resources. Attorneys take legal action to stop pollution of the state’s air, water and soil through injunctions, fines, penalties and in the most serious cases, incarceration.
Attorneys represent the Department of Natural Resources and its constituent boards and commissions that regulate the use of the state’s air, land and waters. The section is responsible for over 400 active enforcement cases, including administrative appeals before the DNR’s commissions.
Enforcement litigation is filed primarily in state courts to seek preliminary and permanent injunctions to ensure compliance with Missouri’s environmental laws.
The section obtains civil penalties for the state and recovers costs and damages for the DNR. Since 2008, the division has obtained over $6 million in civil penalty judgments.
What Does the Governmental Affairs Section Do?
The Governmental Affairs Section’s mission and objectives are to:
- defend Missouri’s Constitution, statutes, and state agencies, through representing the State of Missouri in a wide variety of legal proceedings;
- protect Missouri’s public safety, vulnerable populations, and natural resources, through initiating enforcement actions against licensed professionals, registered entities, and others that violate their legal obligations and do harm to Missourians; and
- promote local governmental transparency through enforcing Missouri’s Sunshine Law and providing public education and training.
Attorneys in the Section serve as litigation counsel to the State of Missouri and its state agencies, boards, and commissions, as well as provide outside general counsel and advisory services to many of those same bodies. The Section has over 50 state executive, legislative, and judicial clients. Attorneys practice in both state and federal trial and appellate courts, as well as in state administrative tribunals.
The Section’s attorneys are able to engage with a wide variety of matters as appropriate to their skills and experiences. This includes almost any type of legal claim that does not contain a request for monetary damages against the State. The Section’s most common legal areas include constitutional law; statutory interpretation; administrative law; professional licensure discipline against those who do not adhere to state laws and disciplinary rules, including police officers, educators, and real estate agents; election law, campaign finance, and ballot initiatives; Sunshine Law enforcement and education; environmental and natural resources law; government contracts; criminal records expungements; social services and mental health work, including guardianships, abuse and neglect issues, and eligibility for services; and animal welfare and cruelty issues to shut down facilities providing substandard or inhumane conditions.
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The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has two principal objectives. Its primary mission is to investigate allegations of fraud committed by Medicaid providers.
Additionally, the Unit investigates and prosecutes allegations of abuse or neglect in Medicaid funded facilities. The Unit does not investigate allegations of fraud committed by Medicaid participants and it does not investigate fraud perpetrated against the Medicare program.
Possible Signs of Abuse and Neglect
Victims
Unexplained burns, welts, bruises or cuts, especially on non-ambulatory patients Fractures, dislocations, sprains
Weight loss; symptoms of malnutrition Dehydration
Bedsores (decubitus ulcers)
Untreated medical conditions or lack of necessary medication
Lack of basic hygiene
Lack of necessary dentures, glasses, hearing aids, etc.
Fearfulness or mistrust of caretakers
Facilities
Unnecessary use of restraints
Lack of supervision / insufficient staff Isolation; no participation in activities Strong odors of urine or feces
Financial Abuse
Sudden change in financial status Unusual bank account activity Frequent checks written for cash or to a caregiver/stranger
Unpaid bills
If the victim is in the care, custody, or control of the alleged perpetrator, call 911. Once local law enforcement has been notified, please contact the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
Call toll free at (800) 286-3932
Email: attorney.general@ago.mo.gov
Write to us at:
Missouri Attorney General’s Office
Medicaid Fraud Control Unit
P.O. Box 899
Jefferson City, MO 65102
You may also contact the Department of Health and Senior Services Elder Abuse & Neglect Hotline toll free at (800) 392-0210 to report suspected abuse of the elderly or disabled adults.
