Have you received a letter from an executive in a foreign country asking to deposit a large amount of money into your bank account for a short time? If you have, you should report it to the VT Attorney General's office at 1-800-649-2424. They will also want a copy of the letter you received.
This scam seems to target people who have recently made a large deposit into their bank account, but others may also be at risk. The letter asks to deposit a large sum of money ($41.5 million, for example) into your account, and promises to pay you a lot of money ($8.3 million, for example) for your cooperation. What they really want is your bank account number so that they can take all of your money.
Don't be lured by what looks like easy money. There are many other scams out there. Do not give out your bank account numbers, Social Security number, date of birth or other personal information unless you initiated the contact and you know exactly how the other person is going to use the information. If you receive an offer that seems too good to be true, be sure to have someone check it out.
Both Melanie and Eleanor are available at Bugbee Senior Center to help you sort out any paperwork that concerns you.  Just call 295-9068 to set up an appointment.

In New England, winter weather-related power outages are always a possibility. Here are some steps you can take "just in case".
Now:

• Arrange for a friend or relative to check on you if the power goes out.
  
• Keep extra blankets or sleeping bags handy.
  
• If you cook with electricity, you may want to keep a supply of Sterno canned fuel on hand. Never cook indoors with charcoal. The carbon monoxide can kill you.
  
• Keep a supply of drinking water on hand.
  
• If you do not have an alternative heat source (wood stove or propane stove that does not require electricity), make a plan for where you can go if the power is expected to be out for more than a few hours.
  

• Stay tuned to news and weather broadcasts on radio or TV. (A battery-operated radio is helpful to keep you in touch with weather updates if the power goes off.)
  
• If your water supply depends on electricity, store as much  water as you can for drinking, cooking and washing. Fill your bathtub; you can use the water to fill buckets to flush the toilet.
  

• See if your neighbors have lights. If they do, the problem may be a blown fuse or a tripped circuit breaker.  If your neighbors do not have

power, call your electric company. Don't assume someone else has called. Your call can help them find the source of the problem. Be sure to report any wires that are down or any trees that are on electrical wires.

• Stay warm. Keep your head, hands and feet covered. Dressing in several layers of clothing is more effective than wearing one heavy garment.
  
• Disconnect or shut off any appliance that will go on automatically when the power is restored, such as TV's, electric heaters, electric stoves, etc. However, leave one or two lamps on so you will know when power is restored.