METRO DIGEST || Area Agency on Aging scam

Aging agency scam

NILES

Recent reports have surfaced in southern Ohio that people are posing as workers from Area Agency on Aging and trying to solicit information door-to-door.

The local Area Agency on Aging urges the public — especially older adults — not to allow anyone posing as an agency representative into the house, or to provide personal or medical information to any solicitor.

The Area Agency on Aging does not make unannounced visits. These visits are always scheduled through the local agency’s main office.

Agency staff members carry and display photo identification that has an agency logo on the front and an authorizing signature on the back.

Anyone approached by someone who says they are representing the Area Agency on Aging should notify police and then call 330-505-2300.

Seniors tax scam

Greenville, Pa.

Pennsylvania state Sen. Robert Robbins of Greenville, R-50th, is urging residents to be aware that no charge is made to file a state property tax and rent-rebate form and that any companies offering to submit the forms for a fee are a scam.

A group calling itself the “Senior Advisory Center,” with an address in a Harrisburg P.O. box, is mailing seniors, offering to complete the forms for $39. There is no fee for this service. Local Agencies on Aging and other groups serving seniors are available to prepare these forms at no cost.

Those eligible for the property tax and rent rebate include claimants or spouses 65 or older; widows or widowers 50 or older; or the permanently disabled 18 or older. Income eligibility is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 for renters, excluding half of Social Security income. The maximum standard rebate is $650.

For official information regarding the rebate program, always go to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue at www.revenue.state.pa.us.

Motorcycle crash

SANDY creek, pa.

A motorcyclist was flown to a hospital Friday evening after crashing at the Lake-Thompson Road intersection. The motorcycle was the only vehicle involved in the accident, which occurred at about 6 p.m., according to Mercer County 911.

Pennsylvania State Police in Mercer County are investigating. No further information was available Friday evening.

Color 8 kids winners

YOUNGSTOWN

Mahoning County commissioners have honored eight first-place winners in the county recycling division’s 2013 poster contest, which drew 1,390 entries with a recycling or anti-litter theme.

Recognized Thursday were Ava Bosnjak, a first-grader at Stadium Drive Elementary School, Boardman; Cameron Orville, a second-grader at St. Nicholas School in Struthers; Arianna Morales, a third-grader at West Boulevard Elementary School, Boardman; Haley Trolio, a fourth-grader at Dobbins Elementary School, Poland; Stefania Marciniak, a fifth-grader at Village Middle School, Canfield; Hayley Figueroa, a sixth-grader at Campbell Middle School; Mitch Medved, a seventh-grader at Poland Middle School; and Joseph Chepke, an eighth- grader at St. Joseph and Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Austintown.

The winning posters will be displayed on placemats at local restaurants and banquet halls.

Accused of embezzling

PITTSBURGH

A federal grand jury has indicted Victoria Rozanski, 59, of Ellwood City, Pa., in the embezzlement of more than $100,000 from a church-affiliated credit union she managed. She was charged this week with stealing the money from Holy Redeemer Parish Federal Credit Union in Ellwood City between January 2003 and May 2009. She faces up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine, or both, the U.S. attorney said. The FBI investigated the case.