MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Department of Human Services urged residents, particularly those receiving benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or other public assistance programs, to be wary of phone solicitations in which fraudsters may attempt to elicit confidential information, including bank account numbers.

The alert is based on an incident reported in Hudson County in which individuals receiving SNAP benefits received a solicitation by phone from a person claiming to represent a consulting company and, during the call, requested bank account information.  Hudson County authorities issued an alert earlier this week warning residents, especially SNAP clients or applicants, to beware of any solicitations for benefits made by any person, company, or agency other than its Division of Family Services.

Morris County Human Services authorities issued the same warning, noting such scams are designed to take advantage of vulnerable residents, particularly those in need of public services and benefits for their families, and who are willing to cooperate as fully as possible to obtain the benefits. While clients of such services may not have significant financial assets, private information such as bank account numbers, social security numbers, and other confidential information may be used to create fake identities and be used to further other fraudulent activities.

If you are contacted by a scammer, please notify your local police department or the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit at (973) 285-6200.

Morris County residents also have been warned of additional scams prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic, including:

Contact tracing. Criminal scammers pretend to be contact tracers. The scammers send messages to potential victims saying they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19/coronavirus and need to click a link to learn more. When that link is clicked, malicious software is downloaded onto a person’s smartphone or other devices, giving hackers access to their target’s private information. Legitimate contact tracers only send text messages to let a person know that they will be calling. These messages DO NOT include a link. Messages that include a link to click should be viewed as illegitimate and deleted immediately.

Bail bond. A scammer will call a potential victim and say her or his grandchild has been arrested and ask for money for the child’s release. This type of scam is particularly dangerous because the criminal will attempt to collect the money in person, directly from the victim.

IRS scams. A scammer will call a potential victim and say he or she owes the government money and faces arrest if they do not pay.

Stimulus checks. Scammers are calling and/or emailing individuals claiming to be from the U.S. Treasury Department, and offering expedited payments or assistance with obtaining an Economic Impact Payment.

More information on these scams is available by clicking here.

PARSIPPANY — Lily was rescued from a local, municipal shelter where she came in in a very, very bad shape. Lily was part of a neglect case and they soon realized she was pregnant and reached out to us.

While Lily clearly had a hard life before coming to us, she is undergoing professional training and is doing so well. Due to her past, Lily has a hard time trusting strangers. She absolutely loves her family but will need people to understand her limitations with strangers. Lily can live with other dogs and children 16+!

Lily definitely enjoys a walk and a romp in the yard, but she is not a high energy pup despite her being so young. She also loves to play with toys!

If you’re looking for a dog who wants to give you all the love in the world and more, apply to adopt Lily today!

If you are interested in adopting, please fill out an application by clicking here.

Follow Us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiseanimalrescue
Like Us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wiseanimalrescue

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County authorities are reporting a moderate increase in the rate of COVID-19 cases, consistent with a statewide uptick, citing a correlation with increased indoor gatherings prompted by cooler outdoor temperatures.

“New Jersey is seeing moderate increases in community spread of COVID-19 and the New Jersey Department of Health has indicated that it is anticipating a second wave. There has been an increase in a transmission associated with gatherings, especially gatherings held indoors,” said Morris County Health Officer Carlos Perez.

As the weather turns cooler, people need to be reminded that indoor gatherings should be limited to immediate household members, he explained. Additionally, as people plan for seasonal holidays and celebrations, they should limit the number of close relatives and friends in attendance and, if possible, plan parties outdoors around a fire pit or patio heater, according to Perez.

The slight rise in county numbers was first reported at a Morris County Board of Freeholders meeting last week by Scott DiGiralomo, Director of Morris County’s Department of Law and Public Safety. He said the county remains vigilant and poised to assist the community should there be any significant resurgence of the virus, which had its greatest impact on the county back in April.

The County Office of Health Management and local health departments continue to perform essential duties to prevent the spread of infections, including enhanced surveillance and contact tracing, which is the process of identifying and notifying people who may have been in contact with someone infected with COVID-19 to prevent further spread of the disease.

“It is important that persons instructed to quarantine and isolate by their local health department and/or healthcare provider do so to prevent the spread of infection,” said Perez.

Contact tracers, he said, will not ask for social security numbers, bank or credit card information, health insurance information, immigration status, or criminal history.
“They are only following up about potential exposure to COVID-19 cases, to determine if a person has symptoms and needs to self-isolate. Report any calls from persons identifying themselves as contact tracers and requesting such information to your local police department,” Perez said.

Health professionals emphasize that COVID-19 is preventable if individuals:
1. Wear a cloth face covering when in public (both indoors and outdoors).
2. Practice social distancing (maintain a 6-foot space between you and others).
3. Follow good respiratory hygiene recommendations.
4. Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve, not your hands.
5. Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Do not touch your eyes, nose, or eyes with unclean hands.
6. Get a flu shot.
7. Stay home if you are sick and avoid sick people.
8. If you become ill, call your healthcare provider before going to a doctor’s office or emergency department of a hospital.

Planning to travel during the upcoming holidays?
Remember: There are 38 states/territories on a state-issued travel advisory list, and the list is updated and changes regularly. Anyone leaving New Jersey to travel to a state/territory on the travel advisory list should quarantine for 14-days upon their return to the state.

More information is available at the NJ COVID-19 Information Hub click here.
Review and follow CDC travel advisories when planning travel abroad click here.