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One of the best reasons to connect with other people in your local MS community is to share information and help educate each other about a variety of issues. Often youll want to discuss topics directly related to MS. However there are also topics that are not directly related to MS that can certainly improve our lives if we learn more about them. Support Group Leader Phyllis Jacks felt that learning how to choose trustworthy businesses in the marketplace and how to avoid scams were things that she wanted her support group members to know more about. Phyllis explained her reasoning In todays world there is a continuing rise in fraud and scams. As the leader of the Warner Robins MS Support Group I felt that our members would benefit from education on consumer safety in order to be able to choose trustworthy businesses and avoid investment fraud as many of us live with challenging finances due to our disability. Phyllis invited Jason Blankenship Director of Business Services for the Central Georgia Better Business Bureau to speak at one of her support group meetings. Each attendee was given the following a copy of the publication Fighting Fraud 101 Smart Tips for Investors a copy of the DVD Trick of the Trade Outsmarting Investment Fraud and the latest Consumer Resource Guide of accredited businesses in the area. Phyllis said We learned that the isolated frail and gullible were not the main targets of fraudbutinsteadtheeducatedopenadventurous those who desire to do better financially or those who have suffered a setback or illness. Anyone can be a victim of fraud. Surprisingly in our area roofing contractors and mailed checks for deposit were the top complaints. Here are some of the other helpful notes of caution Phyllis and her members learned Be wary about people coming to your home to offer services or sell products. Watch for state- ments such as Only two left Today only and Your friends have done this. Dont open other browser windows while online banking. Change your passwords to phrases do not use pet names family names or birthdays. Be careful and destroy all mail that contains personal information. Dont fall for deposit this check scams. Most will ask you to deposit a check and then send a fee to a P.O. Box. Your bank will only discover the check is not cashable after you have sent off your money which will then be lost forever. Fraudsters are able to change the number that shows up on your caller ID. If a family member calls asking for money Empowerment Through Education Warner Robins MS Support Group Warner Robins Ga. 2