Page 1 - PGA Community News - September '19
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September 2019 September 2019 PGA C.A.N.!, Page 1
VOL. 29 NO. 9 FAX 561-624-9088 • E-MAIL canpga@yahoo.com SEPTEMBER 2019
Commissioner’s Update
Consumer Protections – reports about previous consumer disputes in the division’s IDs and passwords. Scammers use your information to steal your
An Important Aspect database at www.pbcgov.com/consumer. The telephone money or your identity or both. Scammers also use phishing
emails to get access to your computer or network to install
number is (561) 712-6600.
Of Public Safety The division investigates more than 500 cases annually and programs like Ransomware that can lock you out of important
have recovered hundreds of thousands of dollars each year for files on your computer. These scammers lure their targets into
By Commissioner consumers. a false sense of security by using the familiar, trusted logos of
Hal Valeche Towing services doing business in Palm Beach County are established, legitimate companies, or pretend to be a friend
Have you been victimized required to obtain a license through Consumer Affairs. The or family member. They make it seem like they need your or
by an unscrupulous business county has established maximum fees companies can charge for someone else’s information quickly, or something bad will
or solicitor? Are you tired private property impounds and police-directed tows. Vehicles happen, and they tell you lies to do this.
of dealing with robo calls for hire, water taxis and nonmedical transport companies also There are steps you can take to safeguard yourself from
or spoofing calls, Internet must obtain licenses through Consumer Affairs. becoming a victim of phishing, including:
phishing and other attempts Home caregivers seeking an ID badge through Consumer • Be cautious about opening attachments or clicking on links
to trick you into giving away Affairs must undergo a state and national fingerprint background in emails.
valuable personal information check. Information on caregivers holding valid ID badges is • Do your own typing in your search engine rather than clicking
for fraudulent uses? Palm available at the above website, or by calling the office number. on a suggested link.
Beach County’s Consumer Telemarketers must follow rules promulgated by the • Turn on two-factor authentication for logging into your
Affairs Division may be able to help you. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that include account.
The Consumer Affairs Division is a county government a prohibition on spoofing. Spoofing occurs when a caller • Back up your files to an external hard drive or cloud storage.
agency under the Public Safety Department that administers deliberately falsifies the information transmitted to your caller • Keep your security software up to date.
our ordinances for consumer protections including moving, ID display to disguise their identity. This practice is often If you become a victim, Consumer Affairs can assist you in
water taxis, towing, vehicles for hire, and home caregivers. part of an attempt to trick someone into giving away personal reporting the incident and filing a complaint with the Federal
Their investigators and staff provide licenses, conduct information for fraudulent purposes. Since you may not be able Trade Commission and other applicable enforcement agencies.
investigations and informal mediations, and other activities to tell right away if an incoming caller is spoofing, be careful Should your HOA or neighborhood organization be
to ensure compliance. The division works to help consumers about responding to any request for personal information. If interested in having Consumer Affairs provide a presentation
make informed decisions about businesses and avoid unlawful, you suspect a caller has falsified caller ID information or you on their services and more detailed information on how you
deceptive and unfair trade practices. think someone is violating the rules for protecting the privacy can protect your property, identity and finances, please let
While the division does not rate or recommend any of your telephone number, contact Consumer Affairs to assist me know or contact the division’s Investigator and Outreach
product, service or company, they can look up a business you in filing a complaint with the FCC. Coordinator, Terry Newton at (561) 712-6548; tnewton@
you may be interested in hiring for any history of complaints, Phishing occurs when a scammer uses fraudulent emails or pbcgov.org.
or to verify proper licensing or registration. Additionally, a texts, or copycat websites to get you to share personal information As always, please contact me if I can be of assistance at
member of the public can also review business information such as account numbers, Social Security numbers, or your login (561) 355-2201, or by email at hvaleche@pbcgov.org.
Northern Notes
Streets, Swales And Stormwater roads to become impassable. It is important to understand the widespread and longer-lasting storm will require more time
basics of how streets are used to convey stormwater, in order
for local, secondary and regional systems to absorb the excess
Management to identify when problems may occur. water. Because these flood control systems are connected, what’s
Streets And Stormwater Management happening upstream or downstream from your neighborhood
By O’Neal Bardin, Jr., Many streets are designed and built with curb and gutter also has an impact.
Executive Director, Northern along the street and with storm sewers underneath the pavement. Keep It Clear
Palm Beach County The curbs and gutters direct stormwater from the pavement into Many stormwater blockages in streets occur due to clogged
Improvement District the storm sewers. These storm sewers not only collect water storm sewer inlets. If there is an inlet in the street adjacent to
Streets from the roadway, but also connect to other drainage systems your home, residents are asked to keep this drain clear of all
Streets are an important to collect water from yards and subdivisions and transport the obstructions including leaves, grass and debris. Debris at storm
part of Northern Palm stormwater to lakes, canals and other outlets. sewer inlets also build up after a storm event, which is a good
Beach County Improvement Did you know that in very heavy rains, some water standing time to check the inlet to make sure that the system will work
District’s overall Stormwater in streets or swales is part of the flood control design plan and well in the next storm.
Management System. Both the is expected? Your neighborhood lake’s water level may seem
storm sewers located below to rise alarmingly, but that’s not likely to last. If the system in Northern Notes on page 2
the street, ditches or swales your neighborhood is working
located along the street, and the roadway itself serve to convey properly, levels will return
stormwater to designed locations. At times blockages can occur, to normal soon after the rain
which can cause undesired flooding conditions that may cause has stopped. A heavier, more