Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoonStudents react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking cold morning conditions before temperatures warm up to the low 70s this Thursday.
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Ian.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
ESTERO FGCU student wins ice dancing national championship FGCU sophomore Lucas Appel wins his second US Senior Solo Dance National Championship in three years.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking cold morning conditions before temperatures warm up to the low 70s this Thursday.
Students react to threat made at Florida Gulf Coast University Students at Florida Gulf Coast University said they don’t know the specifics of a threat made last week, but they do know it was taken care of.
Missing and endangered boy found in Lehigh Acres Authorities have found a missing and endangered boy in Lehigh Acres. Police asked for the public’s help in locating Zachariah McKelvin.
School District denies bus service to student despite mother’s measurements When we think of the bus stop, we typically think of it as a safe place for our children, but one mother says the Lee County School District told her they live too close to the school to get a bus route.
MATLACHA 2 stranded dolphins rescued from mangroves near Matlacha Two stranded dolphins were pulled from mangroves near Matlacha.
CAPE CORAL NAACP honors Cape Coral Police Chief after acknowledging hate crime NAACP President, James Muwakkil, was so impressed with Cape Coral Police Chief Anthony Sizemore that he wanted the entire city to know.
NAPLES Jingled Elves trolley tour underway Breaking out your best dance moves and spreading Christmas cheer. These ‘jingled elves’ are breaking it down with a purpose.
BONITA SPRINGS Bonita Springs Elementary School’s demolition plans There’s a new lesson plan at Bonita Springs Elementary School: Demolition 101. The school is set to be knocked down, and there’s good reason.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island Councilmember’s dogs allegedly attack 13-year-old girl Councilor Tamara Goehler is coming under fire after her dogs allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and the girl’s five-month-old puppy.
PUNTA GORDA Gilchrist Park’s future brightens as boat cleanup commences The boats blocking Gilchrist Park are ready to be moved two years after Hurricane Ian.
Lee County Department of Health issues red tide alert for Bowman’s Beach The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a health alert for the presence of red tide near Bowman’s Beach.
CAPE CORAL City of Cape Coral working on project to address canal safety An older Cape Coral couple drove into a canal last year. Neighbors are now saying something needs to be done about canal safety.
NAPLES Collier County mental health center receives $4 million donation A giant donation is dedicated to providing people with better mental health care in southwest Florida.
LABELLE City of LaBelle under precautionary boil water notice A water main break has the City of Labelle under a precautionary boil water notice.
ESTERO FGCU student wins ice dancing national championship FGCU sophomore Lucas Appel wins his second US Senior Solo Dance National Championship in three years.
FORT MYERS, Fla. – When it comes to mail scams, who is keeping you safe? WINK News Call for Action discovered there is a government agency going through your mail to protect you. Stacks of scams are piled in every corner of Curtis’ home, whose last name we withheld to protect him from more scammers. As the phone ringed non-stop, he told us the scammers are “constantly calling, constantly asking for money.” Ivan Ramirez understands that frustration. He is a Postal Inspector with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “To date we’re upwards to half a billion dollars of losses altogether.” As a Postal Inspector, Ramirez is one of 1,400 nationwide who are searching the incoming mail at four facilities like the one in Miami, for fraudulent mail. “It is a large operation. It is a 24 hour seven-day a week operation. As you know it doesn’t stop, it does not stop,” he said. The federal agents look to flag any mail that looks like a scam. “Fraudulent lottery sweepstakes, you’ve won a prize, you just need to send us money to pay your taxes or to clear your customs or to clear our customs.” But not all the scams are weeded out before they get to your home. Roy Carmack made a Call for Action, warning viewers about an “Award Notice” he received in the mail. Before anyone could claim the prize, they would need to send in a payment. “Just a little bit further down, they’re asking us to send $11.89 for some certification or something which don’t make sense. When you win, you win.” Carmack did not send the scammers a dime, and we discovered that the Postal Inspectors are investigating that very letter Carmack received. Another popular scam includes sending fraudulent checks to your home. The scammers ask you to cash that check, keep a portion for yourself, and send the rest back to them. When the check bounces, you are on the hook for every dime and scammers get away with free money. The Postal Inspectors try to weed out those fake checks and shred them before they even reach your door. “Potential number of losses, and what I mean by that the checks that were intercepted, with winnings have climbed over almost a half a billion of dollars. In the billions,” said Ramirez. “…As far as pieces of mail, we have outside bags, 20 some odd bags of shredded mail that is getting ready to be discarded.” The shredder is not their only weapon for keeping scammers at bay. Sometimes Postal Inspectors will send a warning attached to your mail. Pet sitter Rachel Martin used a legitimate website, Care.com, to advertise her businesses. Scammers contacted her about a job and ended up sending her a fake check that came with a letter from the Postal Inspection Service advising her it was likely a scam. Despite all the tools they use to catch the criminals, Postal Inspectors say they need your help. “Tell someone [about being scammed]. Don’t be embarrassed. If by any chance you were swindled, you were taken… I guarantee that’s not the end of it. They got you once, they’re going to continue,” explained Ramirez. If you want to report a mail scam, you can file a complaint with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.