Medical Debt Relief, Ideas for Session, and more

December 20, 2024


 
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Dear Neighbor,
Get Ready for Session
The legislative session is just around the corner, starting on January 8, and now is the perfect time to share your ideas for laws that can make a real difference in our community. Please contact me with bill proposals on any topic including education, healthcare, energy costs, public safety, or another issue you care deeply about. Your input helps shape your priorities for the upcoming session and represents an opportunity to have your voice heard!

No idea is too small or too ambitious. Your input can spark meaningful change. Together, we can work toward crafting solutions that improve lives and strengthen our community. Let’s collaborate to make this legislative session impactful for everyone.

 
Incoming Medical Debt Relief for Connecticut Residents
About one-third of adults in the United States have difficulty in paying their health care bills. That’s why Connecticut is teaming up with Undue Medical Debt to alleviate the financial burden of medical expenses on its residents.

 
Reminder: There is no application process for this medical debt relief, and it cannot be requested. Instead, residents whose debt has been identified for relief will receive a branded letter from Undue Medical Debt indicating which debt or debts have been eliminated. Letters under this first round will be delivered to Connecticut residents through the U.S. mail beginning December 23, 2024.
 
You can learn more about the program and see an example of the letter individuals will begin receiving in the coming days here: https://shorturl.at/sIOPP
 
Connecticut Humanities Fund Grantees
Thank you Connecticut Humanities & Congratulations to latest round of grantees from the CT Humanities Fund! Proud to support these strong humanities initiatives and projects, and we can't wait to see how they lead to curiosity, knowledge, and understanding in our communities!

 
 
Drone Sightings in Connecticut
The Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection, which includes the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, the Connecticut State Police, and the Connecticut Intelligence Center (CTIC) is closely monitoring numerous reports of large drone, or Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), sightings across Connecticut in recent days.
 
Any suspicious drone activity may be reported through https://bit.ly/3DmR8Rx or by phone at 866-HLS-TIPS.
 
You can find the full statement from the Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection here:
 

Combating Porch Pirates
While the holiday season generally brings holiday cheer, there are some Grinches who dampen the mood. With online shopping becoming more prevalent, package thieves – better known as porch pirates – have more opportunities to swipe deliveries.

 

The Better Business Bureau, citing a Security.org study, said package thieves stole more than $18 billion in merchandise over the last year.

 

Here are some ways – courtesy of the BBB – to discourage porch pirates:

  • Don’t leave unattended packages. 

Try to schedule a delivery when you know you will be home. If you aren't going to be home, ask a trusted neighbors if they mind holding on to packages. Also. some retailers offer garage delivery.

  • Ship to store, storefront or post office box.

Consider shipping to a retailer with a physical location near your home or, if you have one, ship to a post office box that accepts packages.

  • Use a security camera.

Installing a home security system with cameras or a video doorbell is a great way to deter package theft, especially when highly visible.

  • Require a signature. 

Many delivery companies include the option to require a signature before leaving a package but be sure to check with the delivery company on their policy for packages that are not signed for; they may return it to the sender after a certain number of attempts.

  • Opt-in to notifications

Most retailers provide tracking details with links to delivery services; some even send their own emails to let you know when something has landed on your stoop.

If you fear your package being stolen, file a report with your local police department and the delivery company. Depending on your delivery service, they may offer insurance or other policies to reimburse you for your losses.

 

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over
From now through January 1, 2025, drivers across Connecticut can expect to see more law enforcement on the roads to prevent impaired driving and keep roads safe for everyone.
During the holiday season, drunk driving is a significant threat.

The CTDOT urges the public to take proactive steps to ensure a safe holiday season:

  • Designate a Sober Driver: Before drinking, plan a safe way to get home. Use a ride share service, public transportation, or a designate a sober driver.
  • Stay Alert on the Roads: Keep a safe distance from drivers who appear impaired. Report dangerous drivers by calling 911.
  • Intervene When Necessary: If you see someone attempting to drive impaired, take their keys and help them arrange a safe ride home.

Driving under the influence of any substance, whether alcohol, cannabis, prescription medication, or over-the-counter drugs, is illegal and dangerous. Impaired driving can lead to jail time and fines.

Click here for more information
 
Avoiding Elder Fraud
Recent incidents in New Haven and Fairfield County show anyone can be the victim of an online scam. However, millions of our elderly neighbors are targeted for some type of financial fraud every year. With the holiday season upon us, it's an important reminder that not everyone is acting from a benevolent place in their heart. With the elderly population growing and seniors racking up more than $3 billion in losses annually, elder fraud has remained a growing problem.
 
Common elder fraud schemes include the
Romance scam (Criminals pose as interested romantic partners on social media or dating websites); Tech support scam (Criminals pose as technology support representatives and offer to fix non-existent computer issues); Grandparent scam (Criminals pose as a relative — usually a child or grandchild — claiming to be in immediate financial need); Government impersonation scam (Criminals pose as government employees and threaten to arrest or prosecute victims unless they agree to provide funds or other payments); and Sweepstakes/charity/lottery scam (Criminals claim to work for legitimate charitable organizations or they claim their targets have won a foreign lottery or sweepstake, which they can collect for a fee).
 
There are ways to protect yourself and your loved ones, including the following (courtesy of the FBI and 2-1-1):
  • If you believe there is a scam attempt, end all communication with that individual. Create a shared verbal family password or phrase that only you and your loved ones know. Also, disconnect from the internet and shut down your device if you see a pop-up message or locked screen.
  • Search online for the contact information (name, email, phone number, addresses) and the proposed offer. Other people have likely posted information online about individuals and businesses trying to run scams.
  • Resist the pressure to act quickly. Scammers create a sense of urgency to produce fear and lure victims into immediate action.
  • Call the police immediately if you feel there is a danger to yourself or a loved one. Take precautions to protect your identity if a criminal gains access to your device or account. Immediately contact your financial institutions to place protections on your accounts and monitor your accounts and personal information for suspicious activity.
  • Be cautious of unsolicited phone calls, mailings, and door-to-door services offers.
  • Never give or send any personally identifiable information, money, gold or other precious metals, jewelry, gift cards, checks, or wire information to unverified people or businesses.
  • Be careful what you download. Never open an email attachment from someone you don't know.

Contacts and more information

Office of the Attorney General – Senior Fraud Hotline
The State of Connecticut Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Assistance Unit runs an Elder Justice Senior Fraud Hotline at 860-808-5420. The office also has a website here

Department of Aging and Disability Services
The Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services posts recent examples of frauds and scams on their website here:

To Find Services in Connecticut’s Community Resources Database:
Search by Provider Name: Better Business Bureau of Connecticut by Service Name: Fraud Prevention

 
If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me at my Capitol office at 860-240-8512 or email me at Anthony.Nolan@cga.ct.gov. Don't forget to "Like" my official Facebook page and follow me on Twitter for news and legislative updates.
 
Sincerely,

Anthony Nolan
State Representative
 
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