CONSUMER WARNINGS This month, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is warning residents about grandparent scams and tax-related identity theft. Grandparents are particularly vulnerable to this scam as most will do anything to help a grandchild who appears to be in distress. A con artist poses as a grandchild needing financial assistance through either a phone call or an email and gets their “grandparent” to send them money. To report a scam, call 1-800-435-7352.
Tax-related ID theft occurs when someone steals your social security number to file a tax return. Warning signs include: not being able to file your tax return because of a duplicate number; receiving a notice from the Internal Revenue Service saying an account has been created in your name, disabling your existing account; suspicious activity suspected on your account means you owe additional taxes. More information about the latest consumer scams may be found here.
SPACEART CONTEST March is Youth Art Month and the 2023 Florida Space Art Contest has opened for all K–5 grade students in Florida. This year’s theme is “Time Travel to 2123: Florida’s Future as the Space Capital.” Finalists will win two tickets to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex More information may be found here.