Charlestown Retirement Community Residents > Blog > General Services > Security

No, Miscrosoft is Not Calling You about a Virus

Aug 9, 2018 | AARP Fraud Alerts, Scams, Security

Charlestown’s Security & Emergency Services Department has received many calls about a scam alert that involves someone contacting you claiming to be from Microsoft, Apple or another well-known tech company. The caller tries to convince you to allow them remote access to your computer. Do not allow them access. Read more information below taken from an AARP Scam Alert.

Scammers pretending to be from computer companies rely on successful tech support scams to steal your money, gain access to your computer, or both.

How It Works:

~You get a call or see a pop-up message on your computer warning that you have a virus (the caller will claim to be from Microsoft, Apple or another well-known tech company).
~They convince you to provide remote access to your computer so they can show you the ‘problem’ – and then pull up benign data that looks threatening to convince you to pay them to fix it.
~While on your system, they could install software that puts your computer and the information you store on it at risk.
~In the end, they will ask you for your credit card number to charge you for the repair, and will try signing you up for a worthless maintenance plan.

What You Should Know:

~ An urgent call from a supposed tech company warning you of a virus is a scammer.
~ Rely on on-screen messages from your software security that will prompt you to do things like install updates to your security system.
~A follow-on scheme involves the tech company calling you back one day to claim it’s going out of business or it’s offering refunds for some other reason, and they will ask you for your bank or credit card information to process your refund.

What You Should Do:

~Hang up on anyone claiming to be from tech support warning of a virus on your computer.
~If you get a pop-up alert that appears to freeze your computer, don’t follow the instructions. Just shut down your computer and restart to get rid of the phony ad.

If you are concerned about the security of your computer, go to someone you trust for help. Don’t do an internet search for “tech support” as you may end up on a scammer’s site

Resident Review of New Emergency Pendant

Aug 3, 2018 | Security

A resident happy to show off her new emergency pendant shared her review of it.

The new pendant costs $105.00, which can be added to your bill. I bought it from Nancy Lyles, the dispatcher in the Security Office. The pendant is waterproof for shower use, but maybe not the pool. It vibrates when activated. There is a magnet with it that you can use to deactivate the pendant if pressed accidentally. A lot of people ask if it improves the locator. It does not. It uses the same system already established.

However, we have been told that new “repeaters or responders?” will be placed on campus that will zero in more closely to the whereabouts of the person. That will improve finding the resident and will work for all pendants, new or old (except the Continuing Care Pendants since these are a completely different system). Stay tuned for more information.

August 2018

Electronic Mobility Vehicle (EMV) Rules of the Road

Jun 8, 2018 | General Services, Security

Pedestrians always have the right of way. EMV’s are to be used for accessibility and mobility, not speed.

Vehicles should not be operated faster than an average resident’s walking pace. Pass with courtesy, use your horn/bell, and ride on the right side of the hallway.

Stop at all intersections, adhere to all warnings/ instructions. Never drink and drive!

Always report accidents and violations.

 

Be On the Lookout for Telemarketing Scams

Feb 14, 2018 | Scams, Security

The elderly are frequent targets of telemarketing frauds and sweepstakes scams. This type of fraud can include identity theft, fake check and wire transfer scams, investment and credit card fraud, and bogus online charitable solicitations.

Your Charlestown Community has had several recent incidents of these attempted crimes. Fortunately, the would-be thieves were unsuccessful! You are encouraged to report suspicious activities to the Security and Emergency Services Dispatch Center 24/7/365. An Officer will take the report and we can block the suspicious number communitywide. We also follow-up with local, State and Federal law enforcement and related agencies.

Some helpful tips for you:
*It’s shrewd, not rude to hang up on a suspicious caller.
*Do NOT give personal information to people you don’t know, unless you initiated the call.
*Don’t let yourself get pressured into a verbal agreement or signing a contract.
*Be skeptical of online charitable solicitations, insurance claim payments, sweepstakes/ lottery winnings, or unusually low-cost purchase offers. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is!
*Never agree to pay for unsolicited products or services in advance.
*For reporting purposes, record as much information about the caller as you can:
>Call-back number
>Date/time of the call(s)
>Individual’s name
>Company name
>Specific information about the offer

Source: FBI, Bureau of Justice Assistance, and the National Crime Prevention Council

Vial-of-Life Program, Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment, and DNR Bracelets/Pendants

Nov 15, 2017 | Health, Security

The Vial-of-Life provides a means by which every resident of Charlestown can ensure that the Charlestown Security and Emergency Services have up-to-date medical and personal information that they need when responding to a medical emergency. It consists of a Vial-of Life form, a special container for that form, and a special sticker to identify the container. You can obtain these items from Charlestown’s Security and Emergency Services office.  The form is provided HERE for your convenience, especially if any medication changes require that you update your information.

The EMS crew emphasizes the importance of keeping this information up-to-date, inside your refrigerator door. Equally important, is placing a Medical Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST), if you have one, with your Vial-of-Life, on the front of your refrigerator door or on the back of your apartment front door. A MOLST form can be obtained ONLINE, from your physician or from the Medical Center, but must be signed by a physician. These forms allow rapid identification of those patients who have chosen either directly or through their legally authorized representatives, NOT to be resuscitated in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest.*

However, this form cannot always help you if a life-threatening emergency occurs when you are away from your apartment home. Lisa Roeder, Charlestown Social Work Manager, notes in a back page article of the November 2017 Sunburst, if you do not have this form on your person, the EMS responders must do full CPR and transport to a hospital. To alleviate this situation, you can get a DNR (Do not resuscitate) pendant or bracelet to wear at all times.

A DNR order means that if cardiac arrest occurs – if your heart stops beating and you stop breathing – cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) will not be performed to revive you. A DNR order, whether in a hospital or non-hospital setting is a type of advance instruction you may give about your treatment.*

The Vial-of-Life form is accompanied by narrative explaining the value and importance of the program.  For more information on MOLST and ordering a DNR bracelet/pendant, see the Maryland MOLST website and talk to your physician (at the Medical Center or elsewhere) or your Resident Services Coordinator/Social Worker.

*Additional information added from Do Not Resuscitate: Guidelines to Residents, Families & Caregivers , submitted by Joshua Jones – SES/EMR (Feb. 2018)