pandemic scams

I'm going to depart from my series of travel-related posts to make a public service announcement.

Pennsylvania's Department of Banking and Securities sent out a warning today about pandemic-related scams. Their list of scams to watch for includes the following types:

• Purporting to raise capital for companies manufacturing surgical masks and gowns; producing ventilators and medical equipment; or manufacturing vaccines or other miracle cures.



• Taking advantage of concerns with securities market volatility to promote “safe” investments with “guaranteed returns” including investments tied to gold and other commodities; oil and gas; and real estate.



• Touting “get rick quick” schemes with quickly earned returns to be used for rent, utilities, and other expenses.



• Targeting retirees and senior citizens, falsely claiming they can quickly and safely recoup any losses to their retirement portfolios.

Beyond what they list, I've heard of scams offering at-home COVID-19 tests and supposed cures.


If you know anyone who is vulnerable to being scammed, please pass this on. Too many people who are elderly and easily confused, or just plain gullible, fall for these scams and lose money they need to live on. When everyone is scared and having to live outside their normal routines, the vulnerable tend to be even more vulnerable than usual.

Washington Trip Report - part 25 - more Point No Point

More photos from my November 15 visit to Point No Point.This set includes the lighthouse, driftwood, and boats/ships.


Lighthouses on the west coast are very different from lighthouses on the east coast. I'm used to lighthouses that are either tall buildings or buildings up on stilts, not low buildings like this one.





( More lighthouse photos )

The beach was full of driftwood, some of which had been arranged into various stacks and shapes.



( More driftwood )

There were plenty of boats/ships going by out in the Sound - everything from apparent Canadian navy ships to tug boats to small sail boats.



( More boats/ships )

I think I'll move on to birds and other critters next time.