Community

Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones from Scams | Senior Fraud Prevention Tips

Published

1 month ago

June 6, 2026

Scammers often target older adults by pretending to be family members, government agencies, banks, healthcare providers, or technical support representatives. Their goal is to create panic, gain trust, and convince victims to send money or provide personal information.

Common Scams Targeting Seniors

• Grandparent scams involving fake emergencies and urgent requests for money

• Tech support scams claiming your computer has a virus or security problem

• Fake IRS, Social Security, Medicare, or law enforcement calls

• Lottery and sweepstakes scams promising prizes in exchange for fees

• Romance scams through social media, dating websites, and messaging apps

• Bank fraud and account compromise scams

• Investment and cryptocurrency scams promising guaranteed returns

Protect Yourself

✅ Never send money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers to someone you do not know or have not verified.

✅ Verify any urgent request by contacting a trusted family member, friend, or organization directly using a known phone number.

✅ Never provide personal, banking, Medicare, or Social Security information over the phone unless you initiated the contact and trust the recipient.

✅ Be cautious of callers who pressure you to act immediately, threaten consequences, or demand secrecy.

✅ Legitimate government agencies, financial institutions, and law enforcement organizations generally do not demand immediate payment by gift card, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or other unconventional payment methods.

✅ If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

What To Do If You Suspect a Scam

📞 Hang up the phone or end the communication.

🛑 Stop responding to calls, texts, emails, or messages from the suspected scammer.

👨‍👩‍👧 Contact a trusted family member, friend, or caregiver.

📋 Report the incident to your local law enforcement agency, financial institution, or the appropriate consumer protection authorities.

Working together, we can help protect our community from fraud and scams. Stay informed, stay alert, and share this information with family, friends, and neighbors.

Community

Orangeburg Fire Department to Host Community Blood Drive Amid Blood Emergency

Published

7 hours ago

July 11, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

As blood supplies remain critically low, the Orangeburg Fire Department is encouraging residents to roll up their sleeves and help save lives by participating in an upcoming community blood drive.

The blood drive will be held Saturday, July 25, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Orangeburg Fire House, located at 61 Dutch Hill Road, Orangeburg.

Hosted in partnership with the New York Blood Center, the event comes as a blood emergency has been declared, highlighting the urgent need for donors to help replenish the region’s blood supply. Blood donations are essential for trauma victims, surgery patients, cancer treatments and others facing medical emergencies.

Appointments are preferred and can be made through the New York Blood Center at NYBC.org, although walk-in donors will be welcomed as space permits.

Eligible donors must be at least 17 years old, or 16 with a signed parental consent form, meet minimum weight requirements, be feeling healthy and symptom-free, and bring a donor ID card or a photo ID.

Organizers also encourage donors to eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of fluids before donating.

Every blood donation has the potential to save lives, making each donor’s contribution an important step in ensuring local hospitals have the blood they need when emergencies arise.

Community

Rockland Residents Urged to Donate Blood as Regional Supply Faces Ongoing Need

Published

7 hours ago

July 11, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

With only about 2% of eligible New Yorkers donating blood, maintaining an adequate blood supply remains an ongoing challenge for hospitals in Rockland County, the Hudson Valley and across the state.

Unlike many medical treatments, blood cannot be manufactured, and because blood products have a limited shelf life, the need for donors never ends. Red blood cells can be stored for about 42 days, while platelets remain usable for only five to seven days, requiring a constant supply of new donations to meet patient needs.

Blood transfusions play a critical role in treating trauma victims, surgical patients, cancer patients and others facing life-threatening medical emergencies. According to the New York Blood Center, a single blood donation can help save up to three lives.

To help strengthen the regional blood supply, Rockland Paramedic Services is partnering with the New York Blood Center to host a community blood drive on Wednesday, Aug. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at RPS headquarters in New City as part of NYBC’s “Blood for a Brew” campaign.

As first responders, paramedics witness firsthand the importance of having blood readily available before an emergency occurs. Organizers say the event is intended to raise awareness of the region’s ongoing need for blood donors while encouraging eligible residents to make a donation that could benefit patients throughout the Hudson Valley.

Officials emphasize that maintaining a strong local and regional blood supply depends on regular donors. Because blood products expire quickly and demand remains constant, every donation helps ensure hospitals have lifesaving blood available when it is needed most.

Residents who are eligible to donate are encouraged to participate in the Aug. 6 blood drive and help support hospitals and patients across the region.