Shape Shifters Team Chat - MARCH 2023
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Tomorrow, I’m heading to Boston for a few days to help my mother and son with a couple of things. Last week, my mother was almost the victim of a scam. Someone called her and said he was with one of her grandsons and that he had been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. It was not true but she thought they used my nephew’s name and put him on the phone. The person was crying and said they needed $7,500 for bail and he didn’t want to tell his parents. My mother, who rarely leaves her house, cleaned up her car which typically sits in front of her house unused (except when my brother or I use it while visiting), drove to the bank, and withdrew the money. Generally, that’s about as much money as she has in the account, and I’m a little surprised she even had enough there to cover the scam amount!
Luckily, she couldn’t find the number she was supposed to call once she withdrew the money, so she called my nephew’s cellphone number in a panic, saying something like: “[Grandson’s name], I have your money. I got it all so you can pay your fine and get out.” My nephew asked her what money she was talking about and reassured her that he didn’t ask for - or need - any money. He called my sister, and explained what a rough day my mother had — a trip to the grocery store is exhausting for her on a good day and she really only moves from the bed or chair in one room to the adjacent kitchen and bathroom - so this was a big effort! She has a lot of anxiety already and was clearly stressed, so my sister waited until her scheduled visit the next day to take the money back to the bank and deposit it.
My sister already does so much to support my mother so we’ll need to reassess her care needs. I was planning to help her with some finance, taxes, and writing some cards she wanted to send to her grandchildren with gifts when I talked to her on Friday night (the day after the troubling events). However, she didn’t share what happened with the (nearly successful) scam attempt. My sister said our mother is probably too embarrassed and didn’t want to tell her/my sister either (except that her son was brought into the situation through the scam). My mother recognized that she should talk to my brother, who is a police detective, since he can help her file a police report, but she said she doesn’t want ‘to have to listen to him.” 🙈🙉🙈
So, I hope she shares the story with me once I get to her house tomorrow and lets me help her track the number of the person who called so we can file a fraud report with the police, etc. We have definitely entered a new phase of support for my mother and her aunt who lives across the street. My aunt lives alone and is fiercely independent but has been more confused lately. She fell last month and a police officer came to my mother’s house to let her know an ambulance was on the way. My aunt was walking to the vet with her cat and the officer said a woman found her between two cars. My aunt said she was not knocked unconscious (but we suspect she was) but, because was bleeding from the head, the officer wanted her to be evaluated and called the ambulance. My mother called my brother and he rearranged his work schedule (e.g., canceled court appearances) to check on my aunt. They needed to keep her for observation so he arranged to pick her up later that evening.
He’s a high school hockey coach so he went to his practice or game and then got her something to eat, etc. He and my sister both offered to stay overnight with her but she adamantly opposed their suggestions. I think my brother set her up to sleep on her sofa downstairs but we worry about her living alone because her bathroom and bedroom are in the second floor and she has a lot of ear problems that could pose balance problems.
Sorry for the long message. I didn’t plan to get into the story about my aunt. 🙄 … So, I’ll at least spare you the details of how I’ll be supporting my son over the next couple of days that I’ll be in Boston! I better get some work done now before my trip. Thanks for offering a space for me to process my emotions and prioritize the tasks ahead so I don’t sabotage the healthier eating habits I’m trying to build! Best wishes for the coming week, Shape Shifters!9 -
@PatriceFitnessPal , yw. When I lost my fella back in November, I received a card from his vets and really thought that was so nice. I hope you get to the bottom of the scam call. I am glad your momma didn't send the money though. Close call.1
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@Armygirlarmyof1 - Yes — The community has been very supportive and a couple of people have sent us cards. Today, we also received a card from his long term vet and staff, who have been like friends to us — and cared for Petey so much. They were all in tears with us, but they wanted to be the ones to help him pass peacefully. We are so fortunate to live in such a wonderful neighborhood.
I hope you get over your cold soon and regain you voice and energy. Take care!4 -
JessicaKrall8
Monday Weigh-in
PW: 306.2
CW: 305.66 -
Oh no, I just finished reading up all the messages I missed. I‘m so sorry about Petey 😢 @PatriceFitnessPal
It’s a shame they can’t live as long as humans.
What a horrible thing to do, scamming elderly people. I hope the police gets to the bottom of this. Sending much strength to you for the upcoming week and hope you and your siblings can figure out a way to help your loved ones that’s working out well for you all.4 -
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@ac204
Got you added to the step challenge and asked for your weigh in day to be moved. The March step challenge started on the 26th of Feb, so if you have steps for 26, 27 and 28 Feb, that would be great. Thanks!
Thanks for the reminder, @Pupowl!
Here's my steps for Feb and the last few days:
2/26 - 3745
2/27 - 6065
2/28 - 7091
3/1 - 8311
3/2 - 7343
3/3 - 5105
3/4 - 10624
3/5 - 4997
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Daily check-in ~ March 6
Steps: 20.886
Good morning Shape Shifters. Not much happening here. Had a pretty lazy day with too much food, but I did get in a 47 minute workout. Happy Tuesday everyone4 -
Card for today
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@Pupowl so good you got a workout in ☺️💪
Today‘s card resonates a lot with me. I’m at a crossroad in my career… continue what I‘ve been doing for the last 15 years, what I‘m good at and am respected for in the industry I‘m working in OR doing something completely new, something that I always wanted to do but never had the guts to try. Deep down I feel that I need to give it a shot and it will all work out just fine. I hear that inner voice getting louder each day 😅4 -
Bumbinella wrote: »@Pupowl so good you got a workout in ☺️💪
Today‘s card resonates a lot with me. I’m at a crossroad in my career… continue what I‘ve been doing for the last 15 years, what I‘m good at and am respected for in the industry I‘m working in OR doing something completely new, something that I always wanted to do but never had the guts to try. Deep down I feel that I need to give it a shot and it will all work out just fine. I hear that inner voice getting louder each day 😅
@Bumbinella
Oh, my vote is for the new thing! With 15 years of experience, you can always fall back on that old job if the new thing doesn't work out right? So I'd say go for it!2 -
Hello everyone!
I survived the two day drive to Houston. Gained 3 pounds, but lost 2.5. Ughh. Frustrating. The scale is bouncing all over still. Hopefully it will keep going down.
Buddy is loving the warmer weather here, but we are only planning on being here a week.
@PatriceFitnessPal I'm so sorry about your mom and Aunt. My parents still live independently, and my dad almost fell for a scam a couple years ago. He got an email about a large purchase on his Amazon credit card, which he never uses, and clicked on the link to dispute it and was told to purchase gift cards to clear the balance. He went to the local Kroger, bought $1000 in gift cards, and was starting to call this number to give them the card information, when the security guard saw what was happening and took my dad's phone to talk to the scammer. Not surprisingly, the fake Amazon representative hung up and my dad was able to return the gift cards.
One of the most scary things about the situation is that he fell for it and didn't tell my mom because he was embarrassed. To be fair, some of the emails look very genuine, but the gift card should have been a red flag. So, if it makes you feel better, your mom isn't the only one. Its so evil how people pray on the vulnerable. I hope they are able to catch the person.
Steps
3/2 15,579
3/3 16,609
3/4 4,369 driving
3/5 3,083 STILL driving
3/6 14,946
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Daily step goal: 10,000
Sun 3/5: 12,259
Mon 3/6: 17,731
Finished my 30-day 10k challenge yesterday, so I'm going to take a couple days break from 10k/day.4 -
@PatriceFitnessPal Unfortunately I see this all the time at the Post Office. We are a MoneyGram agent, which is similar to any agents that can wire money across the world.
We are trained to ask certain questions before sending money, and if we do not feel comfortable or think it might be a scam we can decline to send the money .If she would of found the number to call, they probably would of sent her to Western union or a Moneygram agent and they would of asked questions, and they would of recognized this scam right away, and stopped the transaction.
We encourage everyone to call that family member to see if they pick up and tell the same story.
We inform people to report it to the police, unfortunately most of these scams are preying on the elderly who if they report it (due to feeling embarrassed) nothing really gets done, because it takes too much man power to find the network of people who do this. It's a rather large business and they cover their tracks.
Educating ourselves and our family members, also our communities is the best way to stay informed on the many scam's out there.
Let your Mom know, not to be embarrassed. She was doing what she thought was right and helping a family member. I hope her stress goes down and she can be happy that they never got her money and everyone is safe!
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Hi Y'all:
Very busy day today...just popped on to check on the group challenge and post there, so wanted to post here as well. Getting ready to finish up a little cleaning in the kitchen and then lie down...6:30 in the morning will be here before I know it! Expecting another hectic day tomorrow.
Hope you're having a productive week...I'm counting down til my vacation which starts on the 17th...ten glorious days off! YAYYYyyyyy! Get to relax, NOT set the alarm, take walks every day, set my own schedule (or not!!!) and just be me! So, just gotta finish this week and four days next week and I'm on VACAAaaayyyyyy! LOL
Have a nice hump day tomorrow!
Jessica3 -
@pupowl I want to hear more about this job thing...what's the current job and what's the one you've wanted to do?!! Spill!
Jess0 -
@PatriceFitnessPal , I hadn't thought of it until @saveagemsmoose had said something. But a couple of years back I had went into the Walmart closest to me. In front of me was an older woman who seemed a bit slower in mental processing at the service desk. She handed the woman some money and some other stuff dealing with a call from the social security administration. Red flag right there as they won't call, they send out letters here, right? The woman insisted it was a legit transaction. The employee stated she couldn't do the transaction because it was a scam. The woman left, cursing the employee. If it hadn't been for an alert employee this woman would have lost her social security check or most of it I'm sure. Most of our seniors and disabled do not get much as far as monies in the first place or they have a very small nest egg put aside for a rainy day.4
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TexanMom8152
Weigh Day Tuesday
PW 225
CW 222.6
Also hit a milestone this week - 30 lbs gone8 -
@TexanMom8152 - Congratulations! That’s fantastic progress!!2
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Wow! 😱 Scary stories about all the scams out there, but it’s great that none of the perpetrators got away with it.
I appreciate all the supportive comments and reassurance for my Mom’s situation @Bumbinella, @SavageMrsMoose, @JenHul, and She told me the story today and she said she didn’t tell my (police detective) brother because she “didn’t want to hear it from him.”
Coincidentally, @JenHul, My mother worked for the Post Office for about 25 years. She started later in life (at 42 years old, I think) as a carrier and then moved in doors as a teller so she probably asked those same scam screening questions in the past! 🤷♀️ — I’m not sure she has the energy to pursue it since she’s mixing up many of the details but we’ll see. Anyway, all is well for now. Thanks again, everyone!5
This discussion has been closed.