Newspaper Page Text
Page 12 — Wednesday, March 31,2021, The True Citizen
Certain demographic groups
more vulnerable to scams
KELVIN COLLINS
Better Business Bureau
A new analysis of consumer
scam reports submitted to the
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
indicates certain demographic
groups are more likely to lose
money to scammers. The find
ings come from researchers at
the University of Minnesota
and the University of Southern
California who used data col
lected through the BBB Scam
Tracker consumer reporting
platform between January
2017 and September 2020.
They analyzed over 167,000
reported scams, with particular
attention to scams reported
between March and September
2020, and their report gives a
broader perspective than previ
ous analyses about how scams
impact minority communities.
Risk Factors for Victimiza
tion
Women were much more
likely than men to report an
attempted scam and were twice
as likely as men to report
money loss; however, men
who did lose money lost higher
amounts than women. In this
analysis, age did not appear to
have a significant effect on the
rate of monetary loss, though
older victims tended to pay
more once victimized.
In order to understand how
reported victimization (money
loss) is affected by income,
education, and other demo
graphic variables, BBB Scam
Tracker data was combined
with zip code variables from
the U.S. Census. In a two-
stage regression, researchers
estimated how these factors
affected both victimization
and dollars lost. This regres
sion controlled for all collected
scam variables (e.g. scam type,
means of contact) and other
reported variables (e.g. age,
gender, and student status).
The results indicated that those
reporting from zip codes with
a larger portion of Black, His
panic, Asian, and other racial
minorities are more likely to
lose money when targeted by
scammers. Likewise, those
reporting from zip codes with
a population less likely to have
GED or high school equivalent
education, are more likely to
lose money when targeted by
scammers. However, none of
these factors is associated with
higher dollar losses. Those
reporting from zip codes with
a higher-than-average median
income are more likely to be
victimized and to lose higher
dollar amounts.
When interpreting these re
sults, it is important to address
any potential reporting bias in
the BBB Scam Tracker data.
Specifically, one cannot be
certain that victims not report
ing to BBB Scam Tracker are
generally similar to those who
do. To identify the impact of
such a potential bias, research
ers regressed the per capita
number of BBB Scam Tracker
reports per zip code and found
more reported incidents of
scams in zip codes with less
diverse populations and people
who are more likely to have
at least a high school educa
tion. In other words, if there
is a reporting bias, it means
reports will more often occur in
regions with populations which
are less diverse and more likely
to have a degree. Therefore, the
findings regarding loss rates
among Black, Hispanic, Asian,
and other racial minorities, as
well as loss rates of those less
likely to have GED or high
school equivalent education,
stand firm despite potential
under-reporting from these
populations.
General Findings
In this analysis, 30% of re
ported scams included a mon
etary loss, which is consistent
with findings from the annual
BBB Scam Tracker Risk Re
port. Scams involving online
purchases were persistently
the most common scam type
reported, followed by phishing
requests. Both of these scam
types spiked in 2020 during
the COVID-19 pandemic. The
assessment of scams between
2017 and 2020 found that
scams perpetrated in-person
are more likely to lead to mon
etary loss, followed equally by
social media and website-based
scams.
Scams Reported During
BURKE COUNTY
MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT
Help Wanted
Job Title: Maintenance Mechanic III
Deadline for Applications: Thursday, April 22, 2021
SALARY RANGE:
$46,000 - $70,000 (depending on experience)
BENEFITS: Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision
Insurance, Life Insurance, fully funded Pension plan, County
provided Cell Phone, Vehicle provided during working hours,
YMCA membership, 10 paid Holidays.
JOB SUMMARY
This job exists for the purpose of assisting the Facility
Maintenance department in servicing and maintaining
the Facilities operated under the Burke County Board of
Commissioners.
DUTIES and CAPABILITIES
- Minimum of 5-10 years of experience in working with electrical,
plumbing, HVAC, Carpentry and general maintenance
-Ability to repair, replace and upgrade faulty plumbing fixtures and
systems (sinks, toilets, faucets, drain lines, water lines, water heaters,
valves, etc.)
- Ability to repair, replace and upgrade faulty or outdated electrical
devices and systems (switches, receptacles, light fixtures, light ballasts,
breakers, disconnects, relays, wiring, isolating faults for safe removal
and replacement)
- Ability to diagnose issues with HVAC systems
- Experience with carpentry is preferred (rough framing, building cabinets
and shelves, installing and finishing wood trim, etc.)
- Possess an extensive knowledge and understanding of all physical
components which make up the construction of a building to effectively
perform repairs and maintenance of any kind.
- Possess strong interpersonal skills and ability to meet specific needs.
- Communication skills (both written and verbal)
- Hold a valid Georgia Drivers License and High School Diploma or GED
- Give attention to the organization of tools and workspace
Applications are available at the Burke County Commissioners Office
of the Burke County Courthouse, 602 Liberty Street, Waynesboro,
GA 30830 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and also
available on http://www.burkecounty-ga.gov/index.php/departments/
administration/job-opportunities/
For more information, call Josh at the Burke County
Facility Maintenance Office at 706-554-2572
Early COVID-19 Pandemic
(March - September 2020)
There was a notable increase
in reporting of scams during
March - September 2020,
particularly for online purchase
and phishing scams, as well as
all scams related to COVID-19.
The rise and fall of COVID-19
scams coincided with the pe
riod of intense shortages, with
the most common COVID-19
related scam in the U.S. involv
ing the sale of masks and other
personal protective equipment
(PPE). The most common
COVID-19 related scam in
Canada was related to the
sale of pets and pet supplies.
There is no evidence that the
rates of monetary loss across
non-COVID-19 related scams
changed substantially during
this period; however, there was
an increase in reported mon
etary losses during the COVID
period, particularly in online
purchases and phishing scams.
These latest research find
ings enable BBB and its part
ners to more effectively target
consumer education initiatives.
Further analysis of scams in
2020 will be released in the
upcoming BBB Scam Tracker
Risk Report, due out the first
week of March.
To read the full research
report, visit BBB.org. You can
read annual BBB Scam Tracker
Risk Reports, at BBB.org/
RiskReport. To report a scam,
go to BBB.org/ScamTracker.
Read BBB tips on common
COVID scams and how to
avoid them, go to BBB.org/
coronavirus.
Public Hearing
A petition for zoning amendment has been filed with the Burke
County Board of Zoning Appeals, requesting the zoning a
portion of this property: 221 Winter Rd. Hephzibah GA (Map-
Parcel : 062-092) be changed from zone _A1_ to zone I1_.
A public hearing will be held at The Burke County Court House,
located at 602 North Liberty St. Waynesboro GA. 30830 on
04/27/2021 at 7:00 p.m. All those in favor of or objecting to this
petition should be present to voice their support or objection.
For more information call:
Burke County Planning Commission
(706) 554-8758
444
Republican Party to
hold caucus and County
convention
On Saturday, April 17, 2021, at 900 ajn., the Burke
County Republican Party will convene precinct (or other
political subdivision) caucuses to elect delegates and
alternate delegates to the Burke County Republican Party
Convention. The County Convention will convene at
10:00 a.m. on April 17, 2021 at the same location for the
purpose of electing county party officers and delegates
and alternates to the Congressional District Convention
and the State Convention. Additionally, the Convention
will conduct all other business as necessary.
Both the Precinct Caucuses and County Convention will
be held at the old Burke County Courthouse at Sixth
and Liberty Streets in Waynesboro, Ga. The County
Convention will convene at 10:00 a.m. All Burke County
residents who are legally registered to vote and believe
in the principles of the Republican Party are urged to
participate in this process.
For further information contact Fred Reeves, Chairman of
the Burke County Republican Party at (706) 840-0370 or
fred@reevescustomcoaches.com
BURKE CDUNTY
MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT
Help Wanted
Job Title: IT Specialist
Deadline for Applications:
Thursday, March 11, 2021 at 4:30pm.
JOB SUMMARY
This job exists for the purpose of assisting the Information Technology
department in servicing the Computer systems, applications and devices
owned or operated under the Burke County Board of Commissioners.
DUTIES and CAPABILITIES
-Four-year degree or five years of experience preferred (not required)
-Lead desktop and helpdesk support efforts for all county employees,
making sure all desktop applications, workstations, and related
equipment problems are resolved in a timely manner
-Install and configure software applications
-Knowledge and experience working with Windows 10 and Windows
Server operating systems
-Ability to create and maintain Active Directory user accounts and
group policies
-Keeping systems operating efficiently by performing any necessary
upgrades and repairs
-Assigning and updating security permissions for the system network
-Training or directing users on the correct use of software and hardware
within each system
-Soliciting bids for system hardware, computers, printers, and scanners
-General knowledge of Veeam, VMWare, SonicWall, Office 365, AVAYA
phone systems
-Time management skills
-Possess strong interpersonal skills and ability to meet specific needs of
the end user
-Communications skills (both written and verbal) to explain complicated
computer concepts
-Ability to work and collaborate with a team
-Hold a valid Georgia Drivers License and High School Diploma or GED
-Relate to those you serve in a professional manner
-Give attention to the organization of tools and workspace
Applications are available at the Burke County Commissioners Office of
the Burke County Courthouse, 602 Liberty Street, Waynesboro, GA30830
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and also available on
http://www.burkecounty-ga.gov/index.php/departments/administration/
job-opportunities/
For more information, call Josh at the Burke County
Facility Maintenance Office at 706-554-2572.
Need A
Business Card
Invitation
Brochure
Logo
Form
Ticket
Poster
Letterhead
Let Us Help
Design - Print - Advertising
Inside the True Citizen Building
629 Shadrack Street
Waynesboro, GA
706-554-2111