Protect Yourself from Social Security Scams Scammers are pretending to be government employees. Scammers will try to scare and trick you into giving them your personal information and money. They may threaten you or your family and may demand immediate payment to avoid arrest or other legal action. DON'T BE FOOLED! IF YOU RECEIVE A SUSPICIOUS CALL: 1. Hang up! 2. DO NOT give them money or personal     information! 3. Report the scam at OIG.SSA.GOV! Social Security may call you in some situations but will never Threaten you Suspend your Social Security Number Demand immediate payment from you Require payment by cash, gift card, pre-paid debit card, or wire transfer Ask for gift card numbers over the phone or to wire or mail cash What to look out for The call or email says there is a problem with your Social Security Number or account. Someone asking you to pay a fine or debt with retail gift cards, wire transfers, pre-paid debit cards, internet currency, or by mailing cash. Scammers pretend they're from Social Security or another government agency. Caller ID or documents sent by email may look official but they are not. Callers threaten you with arrest or other legal action. Protect yourself, friends, and family! If you receive a questionable call, hang up and report it at oig.ssa.gov Don't be embarrassed to report if you shared personal information or suffered a financial loss Learn more at oig.ssa.gov/scam Share this information with others Report a Scam

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Spread The Word About Social Security Scams Getting calls saying your Social Security number is suspended because of suspicious activity? It's a scam. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is not calling you, no matter what your caller ID says. To spread the word about this growing scam, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau created this fraud prevention place mat in consultation with the FTC and SSA: Order Free Copies You can order free copies of the place mat to use at a meal site or to share with friends and family. The place mat is in English on one side and Spanish on the other. To report these scams, go to ftc.gov/complaint. And for more tips, visit IdentityTheft.gov/SSA. This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

In the News: social security gets COLA increase; register to vote by Oct 17

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Tens of millions of Social Security recipients and other retirees will get a 2.8 percent boost in benefits next year as inflation edges higher. It’s the biggest increase most retired baby boomers have gotten. 

Following a stretch of low inflation, the cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, for 2019 is the highest in seven years. It amounts to $39 a month raise for the average retired worker, according to estimates released Thursday by the Social Security Administration. 

The COLA affects household budgets for about one in five Americans, including Social Security beneficiaries, disabled veterans and federal retirees. That’s about 70 million people, enough to send ripples through the economy. 

Unlike most private pensions, Social Security has featured inflation protection since 1975. Beneficiaries also gain from compounding since COLAs become part of their underlying benefit, the base for future cost-of-living increases."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 
https://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20181011/social-security-checks-will-grow-in-2019-as-inflation-rises

"The deadline for registering to vote in the Nov. 6 state election is 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17. 

Any citizen who will turn 18 by election day is eligible. City and town clerks will stay open until 8 p.m. on Oct. 17. 

Voters can also register online, in person at Registry of Motor Vehicles offices or by mail by downloading a form available on the secretary of state’s website and sending it to or dropping it off at a local city or town hall. 

Absentee ballots are available for voters who will be out of town on election day or who have medical conditions or religious beliefs that will prevent them from going to the polls in person. Application are available on the secretary of state’s website and at city and town halls. The deadline to apply is noon Nov. 5, and the ballot must be postmarked by 8 p.m. on election day."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) 
https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20181011/six-days-left-to-register-for-state-election

Election Information for Nov 2018

In the News: Franklin asks Norfolk for traffic study; Social Security gets small increase

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"Because of a Norfolk development near the Franklin town line, Franklin town council members want the zoning board in Norfolk to conduct a traffic study at the intersection of Mill and Chestnut streets. 

Town Administrator Jeff Nutting said that some residents had contacted the Town Council to voice their concerns about traffic flow near their homes. The vote at Town Council meeting on Oct. 11 was unanimous. 

“There are a lot of residents that are very concerned, and we’re concerned as well,” he said. “Because Mill Street, which is where the development is near, is a hilly, curvy, winding road.” 

Nutting also said that there will be a flow of haulers moving dirt and rocks out of the site during the beginning of construction."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20171013/franklin-asks-norfolk-to-conduct-traffic-study

"Millions of Social Security recipients and other retirees will get a 2 percent increase in benefits next year, the largest increase since 2012, though it comes to only $25 a month for the average beneficiary. 

The cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, affects benefits for more than 70 million U.S. residents, including Social Security recipients, disabled veterans and federal retirees. That’s about one in five Americans. 

By law, the COLA is based on a broad measure of consumer prices generated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Advocates for seniors claim the inflation index doesn’t accurately capture rising prices faced by seniors, especially for health care. 

“It doesn’t make your life any easier. It’s really made it tight,” said Barbara Bogart, who retired from a home health care company. “You have to be so careful to make it each month.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/zz/news/20171013/social-security-recipients-will-see-2-percent-boost-in-2018-checks

Social Security gets small increase