Last week's speaker, Tammy Plummer, chief information officer at The First, provided a timely and thought-provoking talk on phishing and other scams that we should all be aware of.

She said her message is honed by the Maine Bankers Association; "fraud is not a competitive issue."  And she provided "red flags" that we should all think about not only when a Nigerian prince offers to send $5 million, but also less obvious scams when someone calls purportedly from Microsoft or Social Security informing us of what they claim is an imminent threat. Those red flags are:  

* Sense of urgency. Tammy said that no one is going to turn off the electricity if a purportedly unpaid bill isn't paid by day's end. 

* Being threatened or asked to lie to one's financial institution or family. Tammy pointed out that no legitimate organization is going to ask you to lie to your loved ones or professional connections. 

* A story designed to play on your emotions. We all know the stories  .. the grandson wrongfully picked up by police who just needs the money to get home .. the associate in trouble who cannot be reached but needs some cash ...  

In many cases the contacts will call repeatedly and use many, many sessions and even months to build trust. Sometimes, also the bad guys aren't looking for immediate money per se, but rather, login or security codes or a SS number so that the thievery can take place at some point in the future.  

Tammy said that banks will never ask for codes or other security information.  "Your bank has the information it needs and will never ask for your password.  We don't have your password.  We don't want your password," she stressed. Her bottomline:  If you didn't initiate the call, don't provide the caller either personal information or money. And never click on an unknown link.  

And if you do think you are being scammed, what should you do?  

* Cease all contact. 

* Notify the bank right away. 

* Contact the three major credit bureaus;  

* Notify the FBI at IC3.gov. 

Tammy also said that if you are not planning to use your credit in the near future - for a significant purchase or applying for a loan, for example - that it is recommended to get in touch with the credit bureaus to freeze your credit.  She provided a handout with information on how to do this; copies are available at the Rotary Clubhouse and from The First. 

Unfortunately, as technology moves forward, so do the scammers.  They can create logos that look like those of trusted companies; they are transitioning to fraud involving messaging and QR codes as these become more ubiquitous. They haven't yet learned to read chip cards - yet.  So for now, chip cards are safer than credit cards utilizing mag tape. But wait ...  

It was a great dinner for a cold spring evening.  I will admit I'd heard of but never indulged in tater tot casserole previously, and Amy outdid herself with the blueberry bread pudding.  The Louisignaus are back from wherever it is they go in the snow, and Rick Elder was just back.   

Charlotte Jameson reminded us of People Power and passed around the sign-up sheet; this is what it takes to keep our meetings running smoothly.  Judi White asked us to remember The Rotary Foundation either by giving online (www.rotary.org and follow the prompts) or to resort to the old-fashioned way and give her a check.  Either way, our donations are the fuel that supports the good work Rotary does around the world, from humanitarian projects everywhere to disaster relief to polio eradication to supporting Ukraine.  It's also the fuel that supports our local projects through District grants, which are available to us each year.  So think of what you pay monthly for Netflix and, you know, give.  

Laurie gave what she terms her "weekly barn announcement."  It really is amazing that we earn each week what most organizations are happy to earn via the occasional fundraiser, and it takes a lot of people to make it happen.  So help sell, sort, haul on Saturdays.  Get in touch with Greg about helping with pickups during the week.  Or help with purchasing.  Or donating! It's all needed help.  

This coming week, May 29, we will host the BRHS seniors as a kickoff to their graduation week.  It's always great fun to meet our future leaders and hear their plans for work or more schooling and their hopes for the future.  We will be presenting five scholarships and the Clubhouse will be full.  So come out and help host.  You'll be glad you did.  

And don't forget that the District Conference is coming up on Saturday, May 31 at the Colony in Kennebunkport, and among other attractions, we will have a chance to meet and hear from our Rotary Peace Fellow from Ethiopia, a medical doctor who led neither Covid nor the civil war in her country keep her from ministering to the patients she thought it her duty to serve. And then, the Rotary International Convention takes place in Calgary, home of the annual Stampede.  Bring your white cowboy hat and cowboy boots! And a sense of adventure.  

Interested in learning more about Rotary and the humanitarian work we do here in our beloved community and around the world?  Ask any Rotarian or come to our get-togethers at the Rotary Clubhouse, 66 Montgomery Street, Boothbay Harbor. We meet every Thursday evening at 6 p.m. or fun times and dinner, and we are there every Saturday morning from 8:30 to 11 a.m. for Rotary Barn sales, where cast-offs are turned into treasure and come back to support the good work we do around town.  Come and find out!