Buyer’s Edge, Inc., is a NYSUT sponsored shopping website that can save shoppers money on many major purchases. Buyer’s Edge has the purchasing power of 4 million members in the tri-state area of NY, NJ, CT, and greater Philadelphia. Many member benefits are available nationally, such as cars, furniture and kitchens; appliances and televisions are available the tri-state area only.

The Buyer’s Edge website is available to all NYSUT retirees by entering a group username and password. Visit the NYSUT Buyer’s Edge Information Page for the login information and to link to the Buyer’s Edge website.

R-UTN member Ed Nostrand shared this warning information from Senior Net. It should be of interest to Windows users.

This information is culled from various sources. USERS WARNED OF BOGUS WINDOWS 10 EMAILS For people who are impatient for their Windows 10 upgrade, don’t fall for an email scam that includes a zipped file that is supposedly Windows 10 sent by Microsoft. It’s not the OS, but it will install ransomware on your PC. The “Upgrade to Windows 10 for free” email appears to be coming from Microsoft via update@microsoft.com. It actually comes from an IP in Thailand. The email is using the same color scheme as the Windows 10 update app and claims, “This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.” If you receive the email, you’ll note that a number of characters, especially apostrophes, are improperly displayed. The attachments contain a ransomware program that, when opened, locks all the data on a computer and demands payment to release them. First and foremost, don’t click on any attachments you weren’t expecting, and be wary of download links in email messages. Microsoft isn’t distributing Windows 10 through email attachments or links embedded in emails. Instead, your reserved copy of Windows 10 will be automatically downloaded onto your system at some point in the next few days or weeks, and you will receive a notification on your PC when it’s time to install. Bottom line – Safe computing includes never opening email attachments from unknown sources, and look carefully even when you think is it legitimate. Happy Safe Computing, Your Friends at SeniorNet

Road Scholar (formerly Elderhostel) is a not for profit organization dedicated to inspiring adults to learn, discover and travel. Programs range from hands on skills instruction (bridge, golf, arts, crafts) to travel/lecture tours (history, literature, exploration). Our learning adventures are hosted by expert instructors, provide extraordinary access to sites and foster camaraderie among participants. The expert presenters are passionate about their topics and through their enthusiasm inspire participants to explore subjects more deeply on their own. People who come together on Road Scholar programs are naturally curious, interesting and interested in their fellow participants, their surroundings and the topics under discussion. If you are interested in learning more about Road Scholar learning/travel programs, contact Frances La Duca, 631-368-1545, laduca@aol.com.

SeniorNet Is holding an Open House on Friday, June 19, from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. Refreshments will be served.

SeniorNet is a national, volunteer, not-for-profit organization. Our mission is to provide computer and technology classes for adults aged 50+. We offer a wide range of computer-based and mobile device courses, from beginner to expert to everything in between. A schedule and description of the classes being offered this semester are displayed under the “Semester” tab above.  SeniorNet Website – seniornetli.org.

Check out the classes available that will allow you to add working memory to your computer, how to line up those paragraphs in Word, or how to get that i-pad, i-phone, or Android devise to do what it said it would. Even windows “8”.

Come have a cup of coffee, and talk to the experts.

As a point of interest, members of the Northpot High School Class of 2016 will be working as paid summer interns at SeniorNet this summer.  The students, part of the Academy of Information Technology (AOIT) program, a nationwide program that has been offered at The high school since 2001. 

SeniorNet Open House,
Family Service League building on Park Avenue, just north of Pulaski Road.
(You may use the bank parking lot.)
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Any legitimate inquiry from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will only come by mail. The IRS does not make phone contacts nor use email or text messages.

Last month the IRS reported that phone scammers have targeted more than 366,000 people in 2015. The scammers are often aggressive and make threats about penalties. They may even have your Social Security number. What they want is a credit and/or debit card number. If you receive such a call, hang up. If you know you do not owe any taxes and have no reason to think otherwise, call the Treasury Department’s tax administration division at 800-366-4484. If you owe taxes or think you might, contact the IRS at 800-829-1040. Under no circumstances should you give a caller any personal information or your credit card, debit or social security number.

The IRS reports that scammers have victimized over 3,000 people since 2013. However, this pales in comparison to the number of cases of tax identity theft. The IRS lost an estimated $5.8 billion to fraudulent claims in 2013, while blocking $24 billion in attempts.

There is no way to obtain advance notification that your Social Security number is being used to file a fraudulent tax return. An e-filing rejection notice is often the first sign of fraud. Identity thieves are looking for refunds and have little interest in taxpayers who owe money. The IRS web site, www.irs.gov contains steps to rectify fraudulent tax filings. However, even if you act quickly, it could take 120 to 180 days for a final resolution of the problem.