Jeremy Barewin

The Internet can be a wonderful place to start friendships and relationships. Sometimes, this is done intentionally through dating sites or apps. Other times, it happens through social media or in a chat room. Fraudsters build trust through online relationships for the sole purpose of stealing money from victims.

Only 22 percent of Des Moines streets are rated in “good condition” by national standards, and the vast majority of city streets are on the verge of requiring major maintenance. This is one of the many data points that city residents will learn about over the next three weeks through an AARP Iowa postcard campaign, set to hit mailboxes today, which highlights how Public Measure “A,” the local option sales tax, will improve the city’s infrastructure.

Legislation would help Iowa’s 317,000 family caregivers

In recent years, gift cards have taken off in popularity. Unfortunately, scammers have a keen interest in gift cards, too – only for them, they are being used to pry money from you as a form of payment in their latest con.

Across the United States, scam robo-calls make the way into voice mail boxes and emails of people all ages. People aged 50+ tend to fall for such scams far more than others. In 2019, it is estimated that 44.6% of cell phone calls will be robo or scam calls, which is nearly every other call. These scams tend to cover a range of different topics, from zero interest down on loans, deals on credit cards and warrants to trying to sell medical devices or insurance. While these scams can seem very real, there are a few key characteristics that can be used to easily identify scams.

AARP Iowa is sponsoring two upcoming theatrical productions in the Des Moines area – The Lion in Winter, Feb. 22 – March 3, at Kum and Go Theater, and Catch Me If You Can, March 22 – April 14, at the Des Moines Playhouse. AARP is offering discounted tickets for the run of both shows, as well as to other performances at each location for the 2018/2019 season. In addition, a limited amount of free tickets will be available to a private screening/preview event of The Lion in Winter on Thursday, Feb. 21, and Catch Me If You Can on Thursday, March 21.

The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting colder and you could swear you paid that last gas and electric bill. But the caller from the power company is adamant that you’re overdue and says if you don’t pay up now, the power goes out. That’s the last thing you want in the chilly dead of winter (or the long, hot summer, as the case may be). Best not to risk it.

These days, travel starts on the internet. More than 140 million Americans do trip research online, and 83 percent of travelers use websites to make bookings, according to an industry analysis by advertising agency MDG. But as you search for savings on lodging and flights, keep a sharp eye out for deceptive offers and outright scams that could cost you a bundle.

Read our first AARP IOWA e-NEWS - January 2019