Scammers Target Locals
Scammers continue to utilize technology to try to separate you from your money. The latest is by cloning a recognizable number so that you think they are from a legitimate institution. On Friday of last week Oregon Pacific Bank became aware of a scam using their number. A caller pretending to be from the banks fraud division would tell you that there has been fraudulent activity on your account and then asks you to verify information. President and CEO of OPB, Ron Green:
“These are calls and texts that are coming in from a spoofed phone number meaning they’re making it look they are coming from our phone number. They are convincing people to give their login in credentials and then they are logging in on their behalf and transferring money out.”
Green says the bank will never ask for login information or any personal information that they already have. People should be aware that information like that should never be given over the phone or in a text. Green says hang up immediately if someone begins to ask for personal information. He also says that they have temporarily interrupted certain services to their online banking that allow for person to person transfers. One of the ways scammers sound convincing is that they track and target social media posts and use them to formulate timelines and follow travels then use that information to tell you that they noticed suspicious activity on your account. While Green encourages individuals to contact authorities, he also says the bank would like to know to be able to further insulate customers from attacks.
OSP Make Arrest After Lengthy Investigation
Oregon State Police along with the department of Fish and wildlife are investigating the death of three young blacktail deer bucks. After a lengthy investigation they have come up with a suspect. OSP arrested 21 year old Macen West of North Bend on charges of taking a game mammal in closed season, waste of a game mammal and hunting with the aid of artificial light. They have also confiscated the rifle used in the killing. The investigation began in March of 2021.
OHA To Change Reporting Module – Again
The Oregon Health Authority is reporting that they will continue to reduce the regularity in which they report some information about COVID-19 including the instances of cases by zip code. The OHA had moved to monthly data reports in September and now say that they will be moving to quarterly reports. They are also discontinuing some reports including the vaccination trends, statewide case counts and testing and workforce vaccine updates. Despite high numbers of cases COVID-19 has been listed as endemic and dr. Melissa Sutton, a senior health advisor for the OHA says that streamlining reporting is necessary. She says the move will help where information is duplicated and remove outdated and low quality data elements so that they can focus on the most relevant information and optimize workload for the agency.