"the meltdown happened one Zoom meeting at a time"

Tracy O'Connell Novick (@TracyNovick) shared a lengthy Slate article on the school re-opening debate.

 

"How the School Reopening Debate Is Tearing One of America’s Most Elite Suburbs Apart"

"It was mid-August. The playgrounds of Brookline, Massachusetts, had finally reopened, and so the news spread fast. Sharon Abramowitz had resigned from the school committee. If a lab wanted to manufacture a school committee member to help the 7,800-student Brookline School District through the COVID crisis, it probably would’ve ended up with Abramowitz. The sociologist-anthropologist-epidemiologist had studied Ebola, written interagency guidelines about what community engagement should look like during a crisis, and, after the district shut down in March, spent 40 hours a week in volunteer meetings on Zoom trying to make a safe reopening feasible. But now she was moving full time to her second home in Vermont.

As summer turned into fall, the school district was melting down. Parents largely wanted their kids learning in person, but it looked like Brookline wasn’t going to pull it off, even though the wealthy town just outside of Boston probably has the highest infectious-disease-expert-per-capita rate in the country. Abramowitz was fed up. “Sorry to be all UNICEF about it,” Abramowitz, who does work for UNICEF, said when we spoke in September, “but education is a fundamental human right for all children.”

Continue reading the article

https://slate.com/human-interest/2020/12/school-reopening-teachers-unions-parents-brookline-massachusetts.html

Tracy's tweet:  https://t.co/Ds3udHGj4l

"What we know – and still don’t – about the worst-ever US government cyber attack"

The Boston Globe has the following:

It’s going to take months to kick elite hackers widely believed to be Russian out of the US government networks they have been quietly rifling through since as far back as March in Washington’s worst cyberespionage failure on record.

Experts say there simply are not enough skilled threat-hunting teams to duly identify all the government and private-sector systems that may have been hacked. FireEye, the cybersecurity company that discovered the intrusion into US agencies and was among the victims, has already tallied dozens of casualties. It’s racing to identify more.

“We have a serious problem. We don’t know what networks they are in, how deep they are, what access they have, what tools they left,” said Bruce Schneier, a prominent security expert and Harvard fellow.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/18/business/hacked-government-networks-will-need-be-burned-down-ground/ 

 

While Franklin suffered from the spear phishing attack which resulted in a diverted payment, the attacker/nefarious character did not access the Franklin network. They used the person inside to do their work. The Russian hack into the major systems of some companies and several government agencies was sophisticated in planning as they apparently hit the supply chain for a piece of software used to protect networks. Once inside, the "trojan horse" allowed access and control. The scope and objective of the hack remains to be determined.

 

Related articles:

• A good summary from The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/dec/18/orion-hack-solarwinds-explainer-us-government
• More inside technical details From Bruce Schneier (reference in article quote from Boston Globe: https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2020/12/nsa-on-authentication-hacks-related-to-solarwinds-breach.html
• Also good technical details from Krebs on Security: https://krebsonsecurity.com/2020/12/vmware-flaw-a-vector-in-solarwinds-breach/

Multiple federal agencies have been targeted in a sweeping cyber attack. Photograph: Patrick Semansky/AP

 

"Electric trolleys, also known as streetcars, were a common mode of conveyance"

Interesting article on transportation of the past. Franklin also had trolley cars operating in the same period.

"Marlborough – A century ago, the city of Marlborough had an arguably more robust public transit system than it does today. It was possible to travel south to the Southborough border, north to Hudson, and east and west across the city on Main Street, all thanks to the Marlborough Street Railway Company. Electric trolleys, also known as streetcars, were a common mode of conveyance in numerous cities in the United States beginning in the 1880s. By 1895 the country had nearly 900 trolley companies running on over 10,000 miles of track.

It was possible to travel to additional destinations outside Marlborough using other trolley companies. The Marlborough and Westborough Street Railway ran from North Grafton, Westborough and Southborough to Marlborough, providing transportation to Westborough’s Lake Chauncy, which had an amusement park and dance pavilion, and the state hospital. The Worcester and Marlborough Street Railway also had a trolley line that ran from Marlborough westward through Northborough and Shrewsbury to Worcester."

Continue reading the article online

https://www.communityadvocate.com/2020/12/17/marlboroughs-electric-trolleys-were-a-key-mass-transit-system-a-century-ago/

IRS: Stay home and stay safe with IRS online tools

The Internal Revenue Service today (12/16/20)encouraged taxpayers to take necessary actions now to help file federal tax returns timely and accurately in 2021.

This is the fourth in a series of reminders to help taxpayers get ready for the upcoming tax filing season. A special page, updated and available on IRS.gov, outlines steps taxpayers can take to make tax filing easier in 2021.

With continued social distancing, taxpayers can stay home and stay safe with IRS online tools and resources that help them find the information they need. These IRS.gov tools are easy to use and available 24 hours a day. Millions of people use them to find information about their accounts, get answers to tax questions or file and pay taxes.

Free File

Almost everyone can file electronically for free. The IRS Free File program, available only through IRS.gov or the IRS2Go app, offers brand-name tax preparation software packages at no cost. The software does all the work of finding deductions, credits and exemptions. It's free for those who earned $72,000 or less in 2020. Some of the Free File packages also offer free state tax return preparation.

Taxpayers comfortable filling out tax forms electronically, can use Free File Fillable Forms, regardless of income, to file their tax returns either by mail or online.

Choosing a preparer

The IRS has several options for finding a tax preparer. One resource is Choosing a Tax Professional, which offers a wealth of information for selecting a tax professional. The Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications can help taxpayers find preparers in their area who currently hold professional credentials recognized by the IRS, or who hold an Annual Filing Season Program Record of Completion.

Other online help

The Interactive Tax Assistant answers general tax questions, including helping to determine if a type of income is taxable or if someone is eligible to claim certain credits and deductions. With changes to income and other life events for many in 2020, tax credits and deductions can mean more money in a taxpayer's pocket and thinking about eligibility now can help make tax filing easier next year.

Taxpayers may qualify for credits like the Child Tax Credit and Child and Dependent Care Credit. Taxpayers whose dependent does not qualify for the CTC might be able to claim the Credit for Other Dependents. Individuals paying higher education costs for themselves, a spouse or a dependent, may be eligible to save some money with education tax credits or deductions. Additionally, low- to moderate-income taxpayers may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Beginning in January 2021, the Interactive Tax Assistant will be updated to include answers to more tax law questions.

Taxpayers can check the status of their refund using the Where's My Refund? tool. The status is available within 24 hours after the IRS receives their e-filed tax return or up to four weeks after they mailed a paper return. The Where's My Refund? tool updates once every 24 hours, usually overnight, so taxpayers only need to check once a day.

The best and fastest way for taxpayers to get their tax refund is to have it direct deposited into their financial account. Taxpayers who don't have a financial account can visit the FDIC website for information to help open an account online.

For more information about planning ahead, see Publication 5348, Get Ready to File PDF, and Publication 5349, Year-Round Tax Planning is for Everyone PDF.

Shared from the IRS News Release https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/get-ready-for-taxes-stay-home-and-stay-safe-with-irs-online-tools

Commuter Rail: Franklin Line - maybe this is the last weekend for shuttle buses

Walpole – Forge Park/495 = September 12 – December 20, weekends

Shuttle buses replace trains between Walpole and Forge Park/495 to allow for work on the Franklin Line Double Track project.

Learn more about the Franklin Line Double Track project
https://www.mbta.com/projects/franklin-line-double-track

See all Franklin Line service changes  https://www.mbta.com/diversions/franklin-line

 

Commuter Rail: Franklin Line - maybe this is the last weekend for shuttle buses

 

Franklin Art Association: Virtual Gallery on Facebook

Check out our *third* FAA Virtual Gallery which is up on the FAA Facebook pages, as well as Instagram.   

The Facebook video is 3 minutes long while Instagram limits their videos to one minute. 

Facebook link = https://www.facebook.com/FranklinArtAssoc/posts/3532137306823521

 

Franklin Art Association:  Virtual Gallery on Facebook

 

Friendly reminder from Franklin Fire Dept.

Help us find you.  In an emergency seconds count.

https://t.co/kjvBFojacy

 

Friendly reminder from Franklin Fire Dept.

 Shared from Twitter: https://twitter.com/FranklinMAfire/status/1339910797963747328?s=03

"Speaker DeLeo Signals He May Leave House, Discloses Talks With Northeastern"

The Boston Globe has the following:

"Massachusetts House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo on Friday filed a much-anticipated ethics disclosure notifying officials he is in talks for a job with Northeastern University, potentially marking the beginning of the end of his tenure as the longest-serving House leader in Massachusetts history.

“I write to disclose that I intend to begin negotiating prospective employment opportunities with Northeastern University,” wrote DeLeo in a letter to the clerk of the House, Steven James.

The terse document — hand-delivered by DeLeo’s chief of staff, and also submitted to the state Ethics Commission — is the first official sign DeLeo is preparing to resign from the top House post he’s held since January 2009. As of Friday, DeLeo said, he had not “personally” had any discussions with anyone from the school."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/18/metro/representative-holmes-challenge-majority-leader-mariano-sparking-race-succeed-house-speaker-deleo/

 

Related articles on the DeLeo transition:

• From CommonWealth Magazine: https://commonwealthmagazine.org/politics/deleo-sets-in-motion-mariano-handoff/
• From wbur  https://www.wbur.org/news/2020/12/18/robert-deleo-speaker-house-disclosure-northeastern 
  

 

Massachusetts House Speaker Robert DeLeo speaks at a bill signing ceremony at the State House in Boston in 2016. (Elise Amendola/AP)

Franklin's Weekend Outlook - Dec 19-20

Appropriately, in this winter landscape, FPAC presents "Winter Wonderland" this weekend. Franklin Federated features their Christmas service to be live streamed, and the Historical Museum is open on Sunday to view their new exhibits and get an ornament as a last minute gift. You can also purchase a #ThinkFranklinFirst gift card online to help local businesses.

** Saturday, December 19
4:00pm -  Winter Wonderland
7:00pm -  Winter Wonderland
 

** Sunday, December 20
10:00am -  Franklin Federated Church will LIVESTREAM Christmas Service
1:00pm -  Historical Museum (open and free admission)
4:00pm -  Winter Wonderland

#ThinkFranklinFirst gift cards can be purchased online https://franklingiftcard.com/

Find the full calendar  https://www.franklinmatters.org/p/blog-page.html

If you have an event to add to the calendar, you can use the form to submit it for publication:  https://forms.gle/oPdi8X3ZbHHyrHzo6
 

Community Calendar

 

 

FPAC presents "Winter Wonderland" - Dec 19-20

In this most unusual 2020 holiday season, the Franklin Performing Arts Company is pleased to present a musical outing to help you find the spirit of Christmas.  Wear a holiday mask, bundle up, and come to THE BLACK BOX Parking Lot Theater for a socially distanced experience filled with live holiday music, dance, and fun!  FPAC’s festive Winter Wonderland will have available for purchase delicious treats and a last-minute Stocking Stuffer Boutique.  

Your family or patron grouping will be assigned table seating to enjoy the show, presented in two entertaining short sets, with performances by your favorite FPAC entertainers and special Broadway guest stars!

Tickets available at a Adult, Student/Senior and a  Family price - A family includes two parents and their child/children (17 years old and younger).  Additional family members should purchase the appropriate ticket.  It will help our planning if family groups who wish to sit together purchase tickets in the same transaction (or notify the box office to combine tickets from more than one purchase). 

Purchase tickets online https://www.theblackboxonline.com/events.php?id=1429

 

FPAC presents "Winter Wonderland" - Dec 19-20

Franklin in COVID Red Zone Means Pre-Registration for In-Person Masses at St. Mary’s

In response to today’s report (12/17/20) from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health that Franklin has now entered the “red zone,” St. Mary’s has implemented new procedures that will affect anyone who wishes to attend Mass in person. The Archdiocese of Boston requires that these new procedures be implemented by all parishes located in cities or towns that qualify under the Commonwealth’s definition of the “red zone.”

Beginning this Saturday, December 19, all parishioners who wish to worship in person must:

1.    Pre-register online (www.stmarysfranklin.org) prior to arriving at the church. From the home page, click on the “Mass Registration” link. Then choose a Mass, provide your name(s), an email address, and a phone number. This information will be retained for two weeks and will be used for contact tracing only, if necessary.

2.    Allow a temperature screening to take place. Everyone with a temperature below 100.4 degrees will be allowed into the church building.

Alternatively, St. Mary’s live-streams the Saturday, 4 pm and Sunday, 10:30 am and 12:00 PM Masses. To access live-streaming, go the www.stmarysfranklin.org and click the “Live-Stream Masses” link at the time of the Mass. Once each Mass ends, a recording is also available through the same link. St. Mary’s also offers a Sunday, 7:30 AM Mass that is not live-streamed.

Pre-registration and temperature checks will not be required once the Department of Public Health deems that Franklin is no longer in the “red zone.”

About us:

The community of St. Mary is a Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Boston located at 1 Church Square, Franklin MA. Founded as a parish in 1877, it currently serves the spiritual needs of over 4,500 families.

Pre-Registration for In-Person Masses at St. Mary’s

Franklin Garden Club: Virtual Gift Basket Sale through December 19

The Franklin Garden Club is holding a virtual gift basket auction from December 17 -  December 19 through its Facebook and Instagram sites where there are full descriptions of each basket.  

The gift basket themes include: projects for quilters;  food and other goodies to enjoy around a campfire; holiday ornaments, candles and candy; kitchen accessories;  women’s accessories; and creative nature projects for children. They may be purchased through the garden club Facebook page and Instagram account.  

The Facebook page is called Franklin Garden Club – Massachusetts @franklinmagardenclub  (or direct link = https://www.facebook.com/franklinmagardenclub). 

The Garden Club Instagram handle is @franklingardenclubma  (or direct link = https://www.instagram.com/franklingardenclubma). 

Online payment options will be available. 

 

Franklin Garden Club:   Virtual Gift Basket Sale through December 19

Finance Committee - Recap of Dec 15, 2020 meeting

Quick Recap:

• The promised 'deep dive' into the school budget almost happened. "almost" in that if one viewing the meeting had fully read all the pre-released documents, they could sorta follow the questions and answers. Unfortunately, a key question answer was interrupted. I think (yes, my observation) the Central Office (Sara and Miriam) missed a couple of opportunities to make a better case for the budget details and what the district has done.
• That said - the new monthly format for the FinCom meetings is a work in process and holds great promise. As an adjunct for the Town Council, the opportunity for detailed discussions on particular departments has only really occurred in these meetings. The Council used to get full presentations from each department as part of the budget hearings before more recently switching to their shorted 'hold' and question process.
• The transfer from the water enterprise 'emergency fund' to make the payment for the water treatment plant was authorized. This was the payment that ended up mis-directed as part of the spear phishing incident.
• Preliminary discussion on topics for the next few meetings and a review of the current stabilization fund balances was covered before the meeting closed.
  

Photos captured during the meeting and shared via Twitter can be found in one folder:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/HH41AkHbUc3m5fzA8

 

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As with most meetings in this pandemic period, I took my notes via Twitter during the meeting reporting in real-time via the virtual session.

 

The Twitter hashtag can be found online  #fincom1215

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23fincom1215&src=typeahead_click

Meeting agenda and related files  https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/12-15-20_fincom_agenda_2.pdf

• getting ready for the #fincom1215 meeting. starts at 6:30 PM Eastern - Agenda doc and connection info available here: https://franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/agendas/12-15-20_finance_committee_agenda.pdf
• Watch the live stream via the Town of Franklin page = https://franklinma.gov/home/pages/live-meetings-stream #fincom1215 or via your local cable channels (Comcast or Verizon)

Meeting opens, prior minutes approved

• #fincom1215 begins with roll call for quorum (2 missing - to be checked later) (actually only ONE member missing - vote was 8-0 officially)
  
• #fincom1215 vote on minutes for prior meeting approved via roll call vote 7-0-2 (7 for, 0 no, 2 absent)

School budget

• Getting right into the school updates; in and out of district students approx 80 students for special ed needs handled out of district (excludes transportation) #fincom1215 the q on 450+ students coming in, answer not really. Those Franklin students in schools other than FPS
• Q no contract negotiations currently with teachers, in middle of 2 year deal. What are steps and lanes as described in contract. Compensation grid termed as steps and lanes; steps equal to years, avg 4-4.5% per step; lanes are compensation for additional degrees #fincom1215
• Not a uniform amount across the lanes, also varies by step. Bachelor step 6 is max until they get a degree, and then move over a lane #fincom1215 there is some compensation for tuition reimbursement, doesn't cover entire degree cost
• Q fire and police have benefited from redoing portions of the structure. Schools have a collaborative process with items on table and bargaining with a common interest. #fincom1215 principals not in union, pay scale separate, individual contracts, considerations are factors
• Do benchmark and comparison for principals to ensure some level of equity. #fincom1215 asst principal in most buildings. Q on unfunded mandates. Estimate on what they are and how much they cost us. Had some assumptions to try and quantify - not complete, an attempt
• Challenge to put a total dollar on all of it, doc currently have over $4M. 504 may have a physical accommodation, hard to define how much in those cases. MCAS has an admin cost, teacher salaries for rest admin, curriculum to support the testing, the tech to support #fincom1215
• Q on revolving accounts, assumptions is that they run to zero? No, policy of Committee is to keep a year's worth in the fund. All are fee based accounts. We'll use what we need and apply the remainder for the next year. #fincom1215 balances are set aside for use when invoices
• For the costs incurred during the year, catch up occurs mostly during the end of the year. FinCom member thinks it is unfair, Central Office did not fully address the issue. #fincom1215 next Q getting to student teacher ratio. At what point would an increase affect education
• Info provided doesn't properly address the real question. I.e. special programs in house to save on sped costs; most elem classes 17-18-20 and a couple of deviations; process of counting teacher staff per DESE complicates issue #fincom1215
• Accreditation report recommended adding staff at FHS to address class size; middle school teaching model (i.e. team approach) has benefit but class size can disrupt that. #fincom1215 demographics forecast provides good info 'Sister Anna Catherine's ruler helped'
• 16-17% special ed in district is about average. The elephant in the room is the Davis Thayer study. Neighborhood school, I understand the concept. What would the effect on the budget be if we pulled the plug on those three schools? #fincom1215
• "I am not saying there is a request to do so". What would be the effect? It has to be looked at. There is some end to that rise (1200 to 1700/quarter) How long can it be out off? We have a police station in a swamp that we need to address, etc... #fincom1215
• Chair interjects before central office gets to answer the question. #fincom1215 request to do a better job to address the unfunded mandates, this is the hand your dealt and we're doing the best
• Q what is the big pain point as you go through this year? It is in my memo but thinking off the cuff here funding post COVID for pandemic related items, could be hitting a funding cliff soon. CDC says $442/person to open in person. Another $2m #fincom1215 I think about
• All the other things SEL, reliance on tech, more tech support, it goes on... That is a big weight to make sure we have enough for the kids. #fincom1215 Q on the medical services reimbursed thru to the general fund of the Town
• Discussion on reimbursement, where included, did include Chris Sandini to get answer to help with the various budget items #fincom1215. Q - thanks for coming, we haven't had this opportunity. Midyear review, $2.3m in items are not yet encumbered due to salary set
• Insurance, mostly health insurance. Best guess it will be likely level, encumbrance might be high at one point and there are offsets from other places to be assumed so it adjust over time #fincom1215 plan switches, and time in calendar year
• Out of district tuition, don't have the expenses 2 add to the reporting, timing. Revolving account, going back 2. Did dip into some of the revolving funds 2 provide balance to budget. Lifelong learning is a concern, usually self sustaining but given shutdown, no rev #fincom1215
• Don't anticipate using additional revolving funds to balance. #fincom1215 the # of teachers has been declining but it is hard to find the accounting of that over time. There are steps taken to control what can be controlled. The schools have been effective.
• Level service budget would be about $3.5m, a level funded budget would be a reduction in services. #fincom1215 the medical billing is common among districts, some have walked away from it, we try to provide the services the students need.

Water treatment plant transfer

• That closes out the school portion. Moving on to the water treatment plant transfer, dovetails off the cyber attack/spear phishing incident. #fincom1215 can lose track of the pump station construction completion. 40% of the funds recovered, will use emergency balance
• The transaction authorization of the emergency funds, if additional are recovered, they will replace the emergency fund (not a slush fund by any means) #fincom1215 vendor has not charged any interest on missing payment (misdirected payment)
• How did the emergency fund get to the $1m balance? Fund developed through surplus revenue, additional revenue over what was forecast. #fincom1215 the liability policy did yield $100k. Can not believe auditor missed that transaction, in other areas, that transfer is double
• Authorization. I like how it was handled. I agree how it was handled. I stayed up late watching that. I want my boss to support me like that. The Town was a victim and she was too. The room went silent. I hope people understand she is as good as you get #fincom1215
• Motion made, seconded, passes via roll call, 8-0-1 (nicole absent, no zero) #fincom1215 Update on trust fund and stabilization funds. Last page of packet as of Sept 30. General stabilization is "dust bowl" account, keeps our low interest rate and rating

Stabilization account updates

• #fincom1215 OPEB trust fund at $7m, liability is $64m, we are still in too ten Communities for ability to pay off that liability. Free cash, $2.73m will go quick. Discussion on use of stab funds for fire trucks, fields; used when fund built
• 10 years is a good policy but it is also true that you can get a couple of years out of them, CPA maybe another revenue source. #fincom1215 will open space fund get combined with CPA funds? Has to stay separate. Some earmarked for a project
• It can co-mingle but can not be combined. #fincom1215 approval of meeting schedule for 2021. Motion to approve, second, passes 8-0-1 via roll call (1 absent) Storm water could be a good topic, will affect the operating budget FY 2021 is done, FY 2022 consensus hearing today
• When the Governor puts house 1 out in January, it sets the table for discussion. #fincom1215 looking good now, hoping to hang in there to get to the spring. Likely a guess by Jamie in the Feb meeting. Revenue and budget stabilization topics for Feb.
• #fincom1215 MECC and safety for March. Motion to adjourn, second, passes 8-0-1 via roll call. That's all for tonight, catch you all next time

 

 

Panther News, December 18, 2020 (video)

Panther News, December 18, 2020

 

Direct video link = https://youtu.be/HsIIkzWnP3E

Memory Cafe virtually at the Shrewsbury Public Library - Friday Dec. 18 at 2 PM

Shrewsbury Public Library is inviting you to a virtual memory cafe concert on Friday Dec. 18 at 2 PM.  

Please email  cbudge@cwmars.org for the link to attend.

virtual memory cafe concert

Franklin moves to COVID-19 "red" status

From CommonWealth Magazine 

"MORE THAN HALF of the state’s 351 cities and towns are now considered high risk for COVID-19, as the situation continues to deteriorate across Massachusetts.

The state’s weekly report indicates 187 communities, up from 158 last week, are high-risk because they have more than 10 cases per 100,000 people over the last two weeks and a positive test rate (positive tests divided by total tests) of 4 or 5 percent depending on the size of the municipality.

Those thresholds, revised in early November to make it harder to be designated high-risk, are being overwhelmed. Of the 187 high-risk communities, 17 have more than 100 cases per 100,000 people – 10 times the state’s threshold."

Continue reading the article online

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/health/53-of-mass-communities-now-high-risk-for-covid-19/

 

The MA.gov DPH  report

https://www.mass.gov/doc/weekly-covid-19-public-health-report-december-17-2020/download

 

This is a warning status. If we are in 'red' for three weeks, then the restrictions according to our level would roll back a step.

CommonWealth Magazine: "Ruling permits citizen recordings of police"

From CommonWealth Magazine:

"While Beacon Hill legislators haven’t moved yet to address Gov. Charlie Baker’s amendments to policing reform legislation, other efforts to improve law enforcement accountability are moving forward locally and in the courts this week.

Earlier this week, the First Circuit Court of Appeals said people can’t be prosecuted under the state’s 1968 wiretapping statute for secretly recording police in a ruling that upheld part of a lower court order that countermanded a statewide ban on such recordings.

The court heard arguments back in January about whether private citizens can audio and video record police in public spaces."

Continue reading the article online  https://commonwealthmagazine.org/the-download/ruling-permits-citizen-recordings-of-police-2/

Consumer Alerts: Santa doesn’t need your Social Security number

Santa doesn't need your Social Security number by Jim Kreidler, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC This year, during the pandemic, your holidays might be moving a bit online. On the 10th day of Consumer Protection, maybe you're planning to send e-cards to family and friends. Read more ->  https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/12/santa-doesnt-need-your-social-security-number?utm_source=govdelivery This is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

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