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Category: September 2020

Financially Speaking – Coronavirus Scams

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

As of August 5, 2020 the Federal Trade Commission has logged almost 154,000 consumer complaints related to COVID-19 and Economic Impact Payment scams. These claims have resulted in $98.37 million in consumer losses so far. Scammers closely follow news headlines and adapt their scheme to meet the times.

Here are a few of the current scams:

  • Scammers are pretending to be contact tracers. A legitimate contact tracer will never ask for money, social security numbers, or personal financial information, or your immigration status.
  • With the possibility of a new round of Economic Impact Payments (EIP’s), know that the IRS will not ask you to verify your social security number or bank account number You will never have to pay a fee to get your payment. These are all scams. Only use the https://irs.gov/coronavirus website to share information related to your EIP.
  • Be leery of ads for COVID testing kits – most advertised kits are not approved by the FDA.

Kansas can report scams to the attorney generals Consumer Protection Division at www.InYourCornerKansas.org or call 1-800-432-2310.  Reports can also be made to the Federal Trade Commission at https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov

By: Brenda Langdon

Let’s Make Salsa!

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

Is your garden full of delicious produce such as peppers, onions, tomatoes? If so, you have the basic ingredients to make homemade salsa that you can eat with chips, or jazz up your poultry or fish. A fresh recipe from North Dakota State University is below, along with a video to help you make fun, simple, and delicious salsa!

 

 

Ingredients

  • 1 to 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1/2 c. onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 medium onion)
  • 1/2 large green bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 1/2 to 1 whole jalapeno pepper, finely chopped*
  • 4 large Roma (paste) tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 small bunch of cilantro leave, finely chopped
  • 1 Tbsp. lemon juice or lime juice (freshly squeezed)

Directions

Mix ingredients together and serve. Store covered in the refrigerator and use within a few days. Serve with whole-grain crackers or chips.

Makes 4 servings. Per Serving: about 35 calories, 0 grams (g) of fat, 8 g carbohydrate, 2 g protein, 2 g fiber, 25% of the daily value for vitamin A and 70% of the daily value for vitamin C.

*Note: Be cautious when handling jalapeno peppers. Wear plastic gloves if possible and wash your hands thoroughly. The “heat” is in the seeds and veins. This salsa recipe is not suitable for canning.

By: Ashley Svaty

Planning Ahead

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

Fall is as good of time as any to make sure you review such things as the following:

  • Beneficiary Designations for Life Insurance and other accounts
  • Financial Power of Attorney
  • Power of Attorney for Health Care
  • Checking accounts
  • Asset ownership

 

Not sure where to start?

Check out K-State Research and Extension publication MF3280 at https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF3280.pdf

In an emergency, would your family or trusted friend know who to contact?  Your bank? Your financial adviser? Your insurance company?

Our Valuable records, is a form-fillable publication from K-State Research and Extension that will guide you as you gather important information in one place. Be sure to share it with those who need to have access.  Find this resource at https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF685.pdf.

By: Brenda Langdon