FGCU FGCU searching for next women’s basketball coach A national search is on for FGCU’s next head women’s basketball coach after Chelsea Lyles resigned from the position at her alma mater.
FORT MYERS March Madness spurs vasectomy surge March Madness has become more than just a basketball tournament; it’s also a popular time for men to undergo vasectomies.
2 dogs dead in structure fire on Husky Lane; 2 vehicles destroyed The South Trail Fire Department is responding to a structure fire on Husky Lane in Lee County.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers boxer wins WBC featherweight world title Former FMPD officer and Police Athletic League coach Tiara Brown beat Skye Nicolson in the WBC featherweight world championship.
cape coral New charges added in Cape Coral theft, shooting; 2 more teens arrested The Cape Coral Police Department has announced more charges against two teenagers allegedly involved in a string of thefts that led to a shooting.
Sea Love Candle Bar & Boutique opens at Coconut Point in Estero Tina Smagala had spent about three decades working in corporate human resources and communications in various industries, and she was looking to try something else for a change.
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery to close in Estero The only Perkins Restaurant & Bakery in south Lee County is closing April13, and the question now is what’s going to take its place.
Changes coming to Social Security identity verification The Social Security Administration is changing how people can verify their identity for retirement, survivors, or family benefits.
the weather authority Warm and breezy this Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a warm and breezy Thursday with conditions that may increase the risk of brush fires this afternoon.
NAPLES NCH Naples uses actors to prepare medical staff for emergencies NCH is taking medical training to an innovative level by providing real-life simulations for doctors and nurses.
ESTERO FGCU police wrangle 6-foot gator on busy campus boardwalk A 6-foot alligator made an unexpected appearance at Florida Gulf Coast University, causing a commotion on a busy boardwalk.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers City council faces backlash over ICE partnership The Fort Myers City Council’s partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been a point of contention
NAPLES Collier County teen hospitalized after protecting friend from dating violence incident A 17-year-old hero is fighting for his life in the hospital after a violent incident in Collier County.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers fire officials urge honesty to aid investigations, ensure safety The Fort Myers Fire Department is urging the community to be open and honest during fire investigations.
WWII veteran recalls life as a woman in war While many are familiar with the stories of men who served in World War II, the women who served also played a crucial role in shaping history.
FGCU FGCU searching for next women’s basketball coach A national search is on for FGCU’s next head women’s basketball coach after Chelsea Lyles resigned from the position at her alma mater.
FORT MYERS March Madness spurs vasectomy surge March Madness has become more than just a basketball tournament; it’s also a popular time for men to undergo vasectomies.
2 dogs dead in structure fire on Husky Lane; 2 vehicles destroyed The South Trail Fire Department is responding to a structure fire on Husky Lane in Lee County.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers boxer wins WBC featherweight world title Former FMPD officer and Police Athletic League coach Tiara Brown beat Skye Nicolson in the WBC featherweight world championship.
cape coral New charges added in Cape Coral theft, shooting; 2 more teens arrested The Cape Coral Police Department has announced more charges against two teenagers allegedly involved in a string of thefts that led to a shooting.
Sea Love Candle Bar & Boutique opens at Coconut Point in Estero Tina Smagala had spent about three decades working in corporate human resources and communications in various industries, and she was looking to try something else for a change.
Perkins Restaurant & Bakery to close in Estero The only Perkins Restaurant & Bakery in south Lee County is closing April13, and the question now is what’s going to take its place.
Changes coming to Social Security identity verification The Social Security Administration is changing how people can verify their identity for retirement, survivors, or family benefits.
the weather authority Warm and breezy this Thursday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a warm and breezy Thursday with conditions that may increase the risk of brush fires this afternoon.
NAPLES NCH Naples uses actors to prepare medical staff for emergencies NCH is taking medical training to an innovative level by providing real-life simulations for doctors and nurses.
ESTERO FGCU police wrangle 6-foot gator on busy campus boardwalk A 6-foot alligator made an unexpected appearance at Florida Gulf Coast University, causing a commotion on a busy boardwalk.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers City council faces backlash over ICE partnership The Fort Myers City Council’s partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been a point of contention
NAPLES Collier County teen hospitalized after protecting friend from dating violence incident A 17-year-old hero is fighting for his life in the hospital after a violent incident in Collier County.
FORT MYERS Fort Myers fire officials urge honesty to aid investigations, ensure safety The Fort Myers Fire Department is urging the community to be open and honest during fire investigations.
WWII veteran recalls life as a woman in war While many are familiar with the stories of men who served in World War II, the women who served also played a crucial role in shaping history.
Romance scams are on the rise, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting over 64,000 cases in the U.S. in 2023. These scams result in financial loss and heartbreak for the victims. RELATED: Law enforcement and City of Fort Myers warning residents about QR code scams “In the end, the victim is not only out probably a lot of money, but their hearts are also broken,” said Kathy Stokes, Director of Fraud Prevention Programs at AARP. Stokes explained how these scams often begin through social media or unexpected messages. “We see it coming through social media. We see it now these days: you get this text message on your phone that says, ‘Hi, are we still meeting at six?’ Being a nice person, you respond and say, ‘I’m sorry you have the wrong number,’ and that’s all it takes for these criminals to begin a conversation,” said Stokes. Once trust is established, the conversation can lead to financial fraud. “That ends up being completely fraudulent and thousands and thousands of dollars, billions, actually, if you look at it nationally, are being stolen,” said Stokes. Stokes advised people to be cautious with all incoming communications. “We cannot trust incoming communication anymore from any source. If you get a friend request on your social media feed, you have to assume that this is someone who’s going to try to deceive you and steal your money,” she said. These scams are not the work of a single individual but rather complex, organized crime groups. “It is actually the space of transnational crime games. We’re talking highly sophisticated, highly funded, well-resourced crime gangs that are behind all of this now. So they have capacity, they have buildings, they have employees, they have scripts and they have a playbook,” said Stokes. The key to these scams is manipulating emotions. “If you can get that person into a heightened emotional state, these criminals know that that’s the win,” Stokes said. To protect yourself, be wary of any sudden, urgent requests for money. AARP recommends shutting down social media accounts or adjusting privacy settings to limit communication to known contacts. Avoid responding to texts or calls from unknown numbers, and use unique passwords for all accounts. AARP offers a helpline at 877-908-3360 for those who suspect they may be victims of such scams.