May 27, 2023 Issue, Page 28 of 32

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Livestyle 6 - The Elk City News May 27, 2023 Letter to the Editor Addressing the Rising Threat of Scam Calls in Oklahoma “T've become increasingly aware of the detrimental impact that scam calls can have on the elderly, particularly my parents. Like many of their generation, my parents find comfort and security in using a landline. However, this, unfortunately, exposes them toa continuous stream of unwelcome and deceitful calls that take advantage of their vulnerability. A staggering 85% of landline calls (https://joinimp.com/blogs/ news/landline-landscape-2022-q-4-report) are now unwanted or spam. My parents have become frequent targets, facing re- lentless intrusion into their daily lives. Recently, they narrowly (Back row) Grady Dlugonski from Canute, Hannah Cooke from Corn, Cami Moran from Elk City, Braxton Driskill from avoided falling victim to a caller who requested their bank details Clinton, Emalia Lind from Weatherford, Luke Zybach from Elk City, August Dobrinski from Weatherford under the guise of verifying their account. It was a close call that (Front row) Kaydence Tugatuk from Alaska, Chloe Nelson from Clinton, Genna Marin from Elk City, Samantha Rother spurred me into action. from Weatherford, Miriam Thiessen from Corn, Zack Zybach from Elk City After extensive research, I promptly added their number to the Do Not Call list and began exploring options for a spam call blocker. However, my journey revealed a stark truth: there need Academic Tournament to be more resources to educate and protect seniors effectively of Champions in the face of this growing menace. And it’s a more significant issue than you think, with almost halfa million seniors in Okla~ homa (https://www.communityphone.org/landline/ok#landline- usage-statistics) still relying on a landline today. ‘The consequences of these scams are not limited to emotional Corn Bible Academy’s students excelled the Tournament of Champions at Rose Chloe Nelson—2nd in Black and White distress; they also result in significant financial losses. The FBI's in the statewide academic Tournament of State College. August Dobrinski placed Drawing, 4th in Color Drawing, 4th in Elder Fraud Report of 2022 (https://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/ Champions at Redlands Community Col- third and Grady Dlugonski placed fifth in Over-all Art AnnualReport/2022_IC3ElderFraudReport.pdf) revealed that a lege earlier in May. There were 52 high social studies. Hannah Cooke—Top Ten: English Us- staggering $19,455,718 was lost due to scams, and 790 victims schools from all class sizes present, rep- CBA is currently accepting applications over the age of 60 in Oklahoma alone were targeted. On average, resented by 725 students who took 1644 for the 2023-2024 school year. Go to age IV, Anatomy seniors lose $500 or more when they fall victim to these mali- tests. To go compete at the Tournament https://www.combible.org/apply-now toKaydence Tugatuk—2nd in Anatomy, cious schemes. of Champions, students had to place at a ‘Top Ten: English Usage IV, start the process or email info@cornbible. State and local authorities must step up and take bold, decisive org to schedule a tour. Scholarships are previous academic contest or score well Emalia Lind—Top Ten: English Usage action to address this urgent issue. Our seniors are counting on ona qualifying test. available based on financial need, plus Ill, Spanish Il us. It is high time we allocate the necessary resources to develop CBA sent 11 high school students who state tax credits for tuition may become robust educational programs that equip them with the knowl- competed in 42 tests. CBA won 2 firsts, 2 available for all students starting in 2024. Miriam Thiessen—Top Ten: Vocabulary edge and tools they need to protect themselves.” seconds, and had an additional 25 finishes Limited seats are available in each grade, Il and Vocational Technology in the top ten. so early application is recommended. Braxton Driskill—4th in speech, Top Simeon Page CBA also sent 2 junior high students to High School Results: Ten: English Usage II 17.4 Acres Prime Foss Lake Property SANDY BEAGH RD. 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