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If you are applying for jobs online, do your research before accepting an interview or employment offer. Job scammers have gotten very sophisticated, convincingly claiming to represent real employers, requiring interviews, and even providing phony offer letters. These cunning new twists on traditional job scams have increased in BBB's Scam Tracker. In fact, according to BBB's latest Scam Tracker Risk Report, employment scams were identified as the number one riskiest scam for people ages 18-44 in 2023.

How the scam works
You apply for a job online through a reputable, third-party job-seeking site, or you see a posting for a remote job on social media and message the poster. A few days or weeks later, you get a text message or email asking if you are still interested in the position or a similar one at the same company. Since you made your contact information available to your potential employer when applying, the message doesn't strike you as unusual.

If you reply to the message, the scammer will invite you to interview for the job. However, this is when red flags start to appear. Instead of a traditional interview over the phone or on a video call, the "employer" asks you to download a messaging app to conduct the interview over text messaging.

For example, one person told BBB Scam Tracker about their experience with a job scam: "I saw someone post on Facebook about a work from home opportunity with [company name redacted]. I expressed interest and she messaged me telling me to download the signal messenger app, and then I would have a text interview...they asked me some interview questions then proceeded to tell me I was a perfect fit for the job and asked for personal information...At this point, I felt like the entire situation was [a] scam."

After a few questions, you're offered the position on the spot, with great pay and benefits. Your new "employer" may even send you a convincing offer letter. Before or after you receive your "job offer," the phony employer may also ask you to complete a form with your personal and banking information, claiming they need it for direct deposit. In other cases, the scammer may ask you to set up a home office, either with your funds or money they’ll send you in a fake check.

How to avoid job scams
Research the person who contacted you. If you suspect the person contacting you could be a scammer, look them up. A quick online search should reveal if they work for the company they claim to represent. If you're still not sure after doing some research, find the company's contact information on their official website (check the URL) and reach out to them directly to ask if they are indeed hiring for the position you're applying for.

Do more research on the company. You may have done this before you applied for the position. Still, if you get a surprise offer to interview, it's worth doing more research to learn more about their hiring process, home office requirements, salaries, and benefits packages. If these don't align with your offer, you could be dealing with a scammer.

Guard your personal and banking information. Never give sensitive information to anyone you aren't sure you can trust. Be especially wary if someone pressures you to divulge your information saying the job offer will only last if you fill out all the forms.

Watch out for overpayment scams. Many job scams involve sending fake checks with extra funds. Scammers ask their victims to deposit the check and send back the excess amount, hoping they'll do so before they realize the check was fake and has bounced. Legitimate companies will only send you money after you've done work for them, so be wary of jobs that involve receiving and returning the money.

Don't get fooled by reshipping scams. If you're on the hunt for a remote position, you may come across a job at a "shipping" or "logistics" business that asks you to receive packages, inspect them for damages, and then ship the items back out to other addresses. These jobs promise easy money but are cons and help scammers move potentially illegally obtained goods. In most cases, you won't get paid.

Don't fall for jobs that seem too good to be true. They probably are. If you are offered a job - without a formal interview - that has excellent pay and benefits, it's likely a scam.

If you spot a scam, report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker to help others avoid falling victim to similar tactics.

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By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

The November 15th election will be here before you know it. Will you be ready to exercise your right to vote? Your vote is important.

Deadline to register to vote is October 7. Many important offices will be voted on, including president of the United States, Indiana governor, and attorney general, U.S House of Representatives, U.S. Senate and many local positions.

What you need to register:
Have a valid Indiana Driver's License or Indiana State Identification Card.
Be a citizen of the United States.
Be at least 18 years old on or before the next general, municipal or special election. (A 17-year-old may register and vote in the primary election if the voter turns 18 on or before the next general or municipal election.)
Have lived in your precinct for at least 30 DAYS before the next general, municipal, or special election.
Not currently imprisoned after being convicted of a crime.

Stephanie Rockey is the clerk of courts for Washington County. She is in charge of the county’s 19 precincts. The county clerk’s office phone number is 812-883-5748.

More information can be reached by the website http://indianavoters.in.gov. This site is packed with information and has the following headers including: register to vote, checking voting status, vote by mail or absentee ballot from the traveling board, voting locations and election security.

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The Washington County Family YMCA is delighted to share
it has received a generous grant from the Washington County Community
Foundation to support Substance Free Alternative Events. This grant will enable the
YMCA and our Washington County Drug Free Coalition to provide the community
with these fun-filled events for another year.

The grant, totalling $14,500, will be instrumental in planning and hosting Substance
Free Alternative Events, which are social and recreational events for people of all
ages that specifically exclude the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. These
events are a fun way for families to bond with each other, as well as to engage with
members of the community, for free. The YMCA plans to use these funds to provide
a Substance Free Alternative Event each month. With the support of community
partners, individuals will be able to enjoy a wide variety of events, such as Movie
Nights, Paint Nights, Healthy Kids Day at the Y, and many more.

“We are deeply honored to receive this grant from the Washington County
Community Foundation,” said Gavan Doane, Prevention Assistant at the YMCA.
“This funding will allow us to further support our vision of a healthier, more
supported Washington County. Events like these remind us that we can still have
fun, without the presence or use of substances. We are excited about the
possibilities this grant opens up and the positive impact it will have on the future of
youth and families in our community.”

The YMCA has seen much success with the implementation of Substance Free
Alternative Events. A few recent events include Bingo Night at the Campbellsburg
Community Center, a Family Paint Night in which guests learned how to paint a
leprechaun, and Healthy Kids Day at the YMCA. Of course, these would not have
been possible if not for the generous support of the Y’s many community partners.
It is their unwavering commitment that allows the Y to host these events each
month and contribute to the well-being of everyone in the community. With this
new funding, the YMCA believes the future is bright for Substance Free Alternative
Events and will open up to new and exciting opportunities.

The next Substance Free Alternative Event will be a Free Family Movie Night. In
partnership with the Salem Parks and Recreation Department, families will be able
to enjoy a showing of Disney and Pixar’s “Elemental,” a film set in Element City, in
which Fire-, Water-, Land- and Air residents live together. The event will take place
on Friday, August 16, beginning at 6 p.m. with the movie beginning at 8 p.m.
It will be held at the Salem Community Park, 1104 E, Hackberry Street, Salem, on Field 4.

The event will include free admission, free popcorn, a bounce
house, concessions provided by Salem Parks and Recreation, and much more.

The YMCA bestows heartfelt thanks to the Washington County Community
Foundation for granting the resources that makes programs like Substance Free
Alternative Events possible. It is through their generosity and commitment to the
well-being of the community that fun, inviting events like these can be enjoyed by
people of all ages and backgrounds.

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through
youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The YMCA relies on the
time, talents and treasures of the community to offer valuable programs and
services.

For more information about Substance Free Alternative Events, please contact the
Washington County Family YMCA at 812-883-YMCA, visit us at 1709 N. Shelby
Street, Salem, IN 47167, or email Gavan Doane at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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IPA recently announced its 2024 project grant awards to six state park friends groups. IPA is proud to be able to help these organizations and their dedicated members improve the visitor experience at each of their properties.

Falls of the Ohio Foundation-$1,050 for interpretive signage on the Woodland Loop at Falls of the Ohio SP Trail; focused on Shawnee tribe presence
Friends of Brown County SP-$2,080 to rehab the Nature Center West Sitting Area; replant native trees and wildflowers, and purchase site furnishings
Friends of Clifty Falls SP-$1,200 for Wireless Tour Guide System; allows large groups to hear the interpretive naturalist when large crowds/single file lines are on trails
Friends of Hardy Lake-$1,000 to revitalize the Centennial Pollinator Garden
Friends of Spring Mill SP-$2,490 for trail system counters
Friends of Versailles SP-$565 for the purchase of metal bulletin boards to replace bulletin boards in the campground

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Law enforcement agencies across Indiana are working to keep everyone on the road safe by raising awareness about the dangers of speeding, urging drivers to obey speed limits.

From July 10 through July 31, participating law enforcement agencies will conduct a high-visibility enforcement campaign targeting speeding drivers. The campaign is funded by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Throughout the campaign, law enforcement officers will issue citations for those driving above the posted speed limit and raise awareness about the deadly consequences of speeding and aggressive driving.

“Speeding is one of the leading causes of traffic fatalities in Indiana,” said James Bryan, ICJI’s Traffic Safety Director. “Obeying the posted speed limits will reduce the number of deaths and serious bodily injuries that occur on Indiana roads.”

Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to maneuver safely around another vehicle, hazardous object, or an unexpected curve. As speed increases, so does the likelihood of a crash and the severity of injuries for the driver, passengers, pedestrians, and other road users.

National statistics show that young people, especially male drivers, represent the largest demographic involved in speeding-related vehicle crashes. ICJI encourages parents to talk to their teens about the dangers of speeding and ignoring the rules of the road.

Drivers who encounter someone speeding or following too closely should safely steer out of the way, allowing the person to pass. Motorists are encouraged to call the police if they believe a driver is following or harassing them.

For additional safety information on speeding, click here or visit www.nhtsa.gov.

About the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) is the state planning agency for criminal justice, juvenile justice, traffic safety and victim services. ICJI is designated as the state administering agency for distribution of federal funds and as the state Statistical Analysis Center for research. ICJI is responsible for coordinating and collaborating with local, state and federal entities to identify, assess, plan, resource and evaluate new and emerging issues facing the criminal justice and public safety spectrum. Visit www.cji.in.gov to learn more about the agency.