In this Issue:

Social Security Scam:

A new scam you will be seeing and hearing more of puts your social security number at risk. In fact, the FTC’s Data Spotlight report finds that reports about social security scammers are increasing, while reports about the IRS imposters have decreased. There has been a recent increase in the number of reports from citizens stating scammers claiming to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA) are calling to advise citizens their social security number (SSN) has been suspended because of suspicious activity or being involved in a crime. Sometimes, the scammer will request the citizen confirm their SSN to reactivate it, or will ask for a payoff to keep our SSN or bank accounts safe.

Here’s what to know:

Your SSN is not suspended or about to be suspended.
You should not verify your SSN to anyone who calls out of the blue.
Your bank accounts are not about to be seized.
The SSA will never call to threaten you or your benefits.
The SSA will not ask you to send money in any form (wire/cash/gift cards). Anyone asking you to do so is a scammer EVERY TIME.
The real phone number to the SSA is 1-800-772-1213, but be aware that scammers can “spoof” the phone number and make that number show up on your caller ID. If you are worried, hang up and call that number directly.

Here’s what to do:

If you received one of these phone calls, file a report at ftc.gov/complaint
If you gave your SSN to a caller and are worried about identity theft, or if you know someone used your SSN to open an account, visit identitytheft.gov

Job Scams:

As the summer approaches, many will begin to look for summer jobs. Unfortunately, with a job search can come job scams. Scammers know that finding a job can be tough. To trick people looking for work, scammers will advertise on the same platforms as real employers and job placement firms such as newspapers, online, tv, and radio. These scammers make enticing promises about your changes of employment and virtually all of them ask you to pay them for their services before you get a job. One important piece of information to remember is the promise of a job isn’t the same thing as a job. If you have to pay for this promise, it’s likely a scam.

Signs of a job scam:

You need to pay to get the job. In this situation, the scammer will require you to pay for a training service or a fee for a certification or training materials. After you pay, the job doesn’t materialize or suddenly all positions are filled. Paying for a job is a scam.
You are required to provide a credit card number or bank account information. Unless you are familiar with the company or have agreed to pay for something, no one should be asking you for this information.
An ad that was for previously undisclosed federal government jobs. Information about federal jobs is free. All federal positions are announced to the public on usajobs.gov and you do not have to pay for them.

What to do:

If you have been exposed to a job scam, file a complaint with the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint
For problems with an employment-service firm, contact the appropriate state licensing board, or the Department of Labor at 703-392-0900.

Clean Water is Everyone's Business

Water pollution comes from many sources. When it rains, pollutants such as litter, oil, grit, chemicals and bacteria flow off hard surfaces and are carried by runoff to storm drains, which lead directly to local streams, the Potomac River and ultimately to the Chesapeake Bay. Once these pollutants are in the water, they can have harmful environmental and health impacts, including contaminating drinking water sources and impacting water quality for fish and other aquatic life. Water pollution can also occur as a result of everyday cleaning and maintenance activities: wastewater runoff from cleaning dumpsters and equipment, pressure washing, landscaping activities or direct dumping into gutters or storm drains. In addition to being harmful to the environment, it is illegal to dump or pour anything besides clean water into the gutter, down a storm drain or into a stream.

Fairfax County operates a public storm drainage system called a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer system (MS4) to collect stormwater that runs off the land and transport it to waterways. Fairfax County’s MS4 permit requires the county to prevent the discharge of pollutants such as motor oil, fertilizer, pet waste and trash from the county’s stormwater drainage system into streams. You, as a homeowner, can help to prevent these pollutants from reaching the county’s waterways.

Stormwater Planning Division offers links to best practice recommendations for:

Contact Information

The county has staff dedicated to ensuring compliance with its MS4 permit. We would be happy to meet with your HOA to determine best practices that your neighborhood can follow to ensure a healthy community. For more information, contact the Stormwater Planning Division at 703-324-5500, TTY 711, and ask to speak with an MS4 staff member. We can also be contacted via our website at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/publicworks/stormwater/

SAVE THE DATE! Your Community, You're Connected-Association Finances

Tune to Fairfax County Channel 16, on Tuesday, May 28, 2019 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for the next live episode of Your Community, You’re Connected – Association Finances.Guests will provide guidance on the responsibilities of owners who live in common interest communities.

Do you want to be a part of the conversation? Email your questions to ycyc@fairfaxcounty.gov. Using #FFXYCYC, post your questions on the Fairfax County Consumer Affairs Branch Facebook Page or send us a tweet on Twitter. We look forward to connecting with you!

Your Community, You're Connected-Replay Days, Video on Demand. Archived Episodes

The most recent episode of Your Community, You’re Connected – Association Meetings can be viewed 24/7 by Video on Demand and on Fairfax County Government Channel 16 on the following days and times:

Monday at 8 p.m.
Tuesday at 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Friday at 8 p.m.

If you are looking for a previously recorded programs, please visit the Your Community, You’re Connected Archives

Looking for Homeowner and Condominium Resources?

Visit the Homeowners’ and Condominium Association web page for links to valuable resources such as education, publications and laws related to living and managing a common interest community. Feel free to contact the Homeowners’ and Condominium Association Liaison at 703-222-8435.

Consumer Services Division

Alert:

Department Resources

eNewsletter Summer 2019