Oregon DOJ Consumer Hotline Warns of New Phone Number Transfer Scam
The Oregon Department of Justice's Consumer Hotline is warning Oregonians about a new scam involving unauthorized transfers of phone numbers to different wireless carriers. In the phone number "porting" cases reported, consumers receive unexpected text messages or emails saying their phone number was being moved to another provider. The message included a PIN and urged them to call their mobile carrier to "secure" their number. Unfortunately, when the consumer called their provider and shared the PIN, scammers were able to hijack their phone number. This caused service to be cut off and, in some cases, led to identity theft and financial loss. In one instance, a consumer discovered that their bank accounts had been accessed and money was stolen. This scam has impacted customers across multiple mobile phone carriers. The Oregon DOJ urges anyone who believes they've been targeted or affected to file a complaint at "oregonconsumer.gov." Scams are becoming more sophisticated, but staying informed is one of the best ways to protect yourself. ...Read more

Applications Being Accepted for Seat on GP Public Safety Advisory Committee
Applications are being accepted for one position on the Grants Pass Public Safety Advisory Committee. This position will be for a three-year term. The Public Safety Advisory Committee serves as a collaborative platform for community engagement and guidance on public safety matters. The committee aims to bridge the gap between the community and City Council, ensuring that public safety strategies align with the needs and resources of the community. The special qualification or experience for this position is a citizen-at-large. Applications are available at the City Administration Office at 101 NW A Street or online at "grantspassoregon.gov/committee-application. Completed applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, August 15th. Applications will be reviewed by the committee on Tuesday, August 19th. The appointment will be made by the Grants Pass City Council at its regular meeting on Wednesday, September 3rd. ...Read more

Oregon Heritage Awarded Grants for SOU Plastic ID Study and Talent Town Hall
Oregon Heritage, a division of the state Parks and Recreation Department, awarded 20 grants totaling $300,000 for historic properties and archeology projects. Six of the grants were awarded in the "Diamonds in the Rough" category. This grant funds façade enhancements that restore the historic character of a property. The other 14 grants were in the "Preserving Oregon" category for properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places and archeology projects. Locally funded projects include a Southern Oregon University study to develop a plastic identification tool. Another local project is preservation of Talent Town Hall. Potential future projects include preservation of the Caretaker's Cottage at Riverside Park in Grants Pass. For more information about the grant program, please visit "oregonheritage.org." ...Read more