Potomac Community Village Members Learned How Not to Be Scammed at Recent Meeting

The 60 people who came to the monthly Potomac Community Village (PCV) meeting on Nov. 20 learned many things about How to Avoid Being Scammed, thanks to the wisdom of Jim Parks, an investigator with the Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection. Only Montgomery and Howard counties have their own consumer protection offices, he said, with other Maryland residents relying on the Attorney General’s office.

Avoiding being a target of scams is key, Parks said, pointing to the multiple ways a scammer gains entry: telephone calls, emails, internet, at the door and parking lots.

Timely advice this holiday season is how to avoid being a target of crooks when out shopping at local malls. Don’t put packages in your car’s trunk and then walk away to continue shopping. Thieves will notice, will drill out your trunk lock in a matter of minutes, and steal what you just bought, Parks said. Instead, he advises, drive away, park elsewhere at the mall, and then continue to shop.

Additional consumer protection information is at http://potomaccommunityvillage.org/index.php/resource-center/county-connections.

All are invited to come for a Village-hosted Coffee Klatch on Wed. Dec. 3, 10 a.m. at the Corner Bakery, Westlake Terrace near Montgomery Mall, to learn more about Potomac Community Village and meet some Potomac neighbors. Reservations not needed, but to help us know how many chairs to set up, please use the sign up tab (coffee klatch) at www. PotomacCommunityVillage.org.

PCV is a non-profit volunteer group offering social programs, concierge services and wellness programs to enhance the quality of its members’ lives, enabling us to stay in our homes as we age and remain vibrant, contributing members of our community. For more information, call 240-221-1370, send us an email at info@PotomacCoommunityVillage.org, or see the PCV website at www.PotomacCommunityVillage.org.