Consumer and Finances

How to Avoid Scams in Online Back-to-School Shopping (or Any Online Shopping)

AAA: Average Gas Price Statewide at $4.28 on Monday, Up 6 Cents From Sunday, 56 Cents Since Last Week

Tax Counseling Available Through April 15 at Darien Library

Town Assessor: Real Estate Tax Credits Available for Elderly Homeowners

FEMA Opens Office at Noroton Heights Fire Dept to Help Residents With Hurricane Ida Storm Damage

State Leaders: Shop for Your Family and Help Local Retailers During Sales Tax Free Week

Darien Scouts’ Rolling Auctions Fundraiser Continues, With Some Closing Thursday, Friday

Medicare 101: Register for This Online Presentation Hosted by Darien Library

Applications Accepted Soon for CT Energy Assistance Program

Not Just Some Theory: AAA Survey Shows Drivers in Crashes More Likely to Text, Phone, Run Lights

Lose Your Job? Furloughed? For Many, Time’s Running Out to Get COBRA Health Insurance

Gov Lamont Reminds CT Residents of June 1 Deadline to Apply for Home Heating Assistance

Identity Theft Device Found Attached to One Darien Stop and Shop Self-Checkout Scanner

Online Learning Programs for Unemployed Expanded in Connecticut

Mortgage Payment Relief Plan Announced by Governor, Participating Banks, Credit Unions

Back to School 2021

By DARIENITE.COM | August 15, 2022

AAA Northeast 2022

By DARIENITE.COM | March 7, 2022

Consumer and Finances

By DARIENITE.COM | January 27, 2022

Elderly Tax Benefits 2022

By DARIENITE.COM | January 6, 2022

Consumer and Finances

By DARIENITE.COM | December 5, 2021

Business

By DARIENITE.COM | August 18, 2021

Charity Events and Opportunities

By DARIENITE.COM | April 29, 2021

Consumer and Finances

By DARIENITE.COM | March 7, 2021

Consumer and Finances

By DARIENITE.COM | September 3, 2020

Consumer and Finances

By DARIENITE.COM | June 11, 2020

Consumer and Finances

By DARIENITE.COM | June 2, 2020

Consumer and Finances

By DARIENITE.COM | May 23, 2020

Consumer and Finances

By David Gurliacci | May 17, 2020

Business

By DARIENITE.COM | May 4, 2020

Business

By DARIENITE.COM | March 31, 2020

FTC Consumer Informatio Blog 2022 August

Back-to-school season can be stressful for many kids and their parents — especially when scammers are back to work with online school shopping scams. But there are ways to get your school shopping done while avoiding scams that cost you valuable time and money. — This article by Andrew Rayo was published on the Federal Trade Commission’s The Latest in Consumer Advice blog

Once you’ve got the list of teacher-approved school supplies and taken an inventory of what’s left from last year, you’re ready to shop. Many people like the convenience of online school shopping, but what happens if something goes wrong with your order or the website turns out to be a scam? Before you drop items in your shopping cart, remember this advice:

Check refund and return policies, especially on sale or clearance items. Sellers often have different (and stricter) refund and return policies for sale items and dishonest sellers will use tricky disclosures and fine print to deny refund requests. Use a credit card for online purchases, if possible. Credit cards offer the most protection against fraud, including the right to dispute charges if there are problems with your purchase.

Gas Pump Gas Prices Gasoline Gas Station Pump

Global crude oil prices have bubbled over the $119-a-barrel mark, pushing average gas prices in the nation and in Connecticut over $4 a gallon this past weekend, making it the 8th most expensive state in the country. — an announcement from AAA Northeast

Today, Connecticut’s statewide average for a gallon of self-serve regular is $4.28, reflecting a 6-cent jump since yesterday and a 56-cent increase since last week. The state average hasn’t been this high since May 2012

Today’s National average of $4.07 is also 6 cents higher than yesterday and 46 cents higher than last week. The national average hasn’t been this high since July 2008. SEE ALSO Jim Cameron’s column on Monday: “Simple Ways of Saving on Gas”

“As long as crude prices continue to surge, drivers can expect the current trend of higher pump prices to continue” said Fran Mayko, AAA Northeast spokeswoman.

The no cost, full-service VITA Tax-Aide program returns to Darien Library this year with a few changes to ensure safety for all. — an announcement from Darien Library

The service, with special attention to senior and low to moderate income households, includes an easy-to-use virtual filing system that allows users to work with IRS-certified tax preparers from home. There will be two options to access the service: an all-virtual method whereby clients will provide their information via a secure internet site and an on-site counseling method at the Library. On-site counseling at Darien Library began on Monday and end on Friday, April 15. Community members can register for the VITA program and find more information online, here, or call 860-590-8910 to book their appointment in advance.

Town Tax Assessor Anthony J. Homicki advises all senior homeowners over the age of 65 may be eligible for tax credits on their real estate property tax under the Circuit Breaker (state program), town program, or Elderly Tax Deferral, that applications are being accepted now and must be filed before Monday May 16, 2022. — an announcement from Darien Assessor Anthony Homicki

Any homeowner reaching the age of 65 on or before Dec. 31, 2020 and qualifies within the income limits, should come into the Assessor’s Office and apply by May 16, 2022. To be eligible for credit, income must not exceed $55,400 for married couples or $47,100 for single persons. All income, including Social Security must be reported. Documentation of proof such as a copy of your 2021 Social Security 1099 form and a copy of your 2021 Income Tax Return is needed.

A FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is now open in Darien to help area residents affected by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. — an announcement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency

Representatives from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration are available at the center to help survivors apply for disaster assistance, explain disaster assistance programs, answer questions about FEMA letters and the appeals process and provide literature about repairs and rebuilding to make homes more disaster resistant. The DRC opened at the Noroton Heights Fire Department at 209 Noroton Ave. on Thursday. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays.

Connecticut’s 6.35 percent sales tax on clothing is eliminated during Sales Tax Free Week (through Saturday, Aug. 21) for clothing and footwear priced at less than $100 per item. Darien students return to schools in town on Monday, Aug. 30, a week before Labor Day. Something to keep in mind: Since sales tax is calculated after the use of any coupons or discounts, if the final price per item is less than $100, the sale is exempt from taxes.

Agile buyers wanted for fragile items Darien Scouts Online Mega-Auction.

Darien Scouts has taken its annual tag sale online this year, with a series of auctions running in April and May. New auctions are online now. All auctions feature a mix of furniture, art, décor, antiques, bikes, sporting equipment, toys, and more, with bidding starting as low as $1. — an announcement from Darien Scouts

Visit soon and visit often! Next auctions close Thursday, April 29 and Friday, April 30, and more will be added regularly until at least May 6.

Are you overwhelmed by the choices of Medicare? Let’s navigate this Medicare journey together! On Thursday, April 1, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Darien Library is hosting an online presentation where you can explore and evaluate Original Medicare, Medicare Supplement Insurance, Prescription Drug Plans and Medicare Advantage Plans. — an announcement from Darien Library

This program will simplify the choices you need to make, help you make more well-informed decisions and explain what Medicare means for you! Register here.

The Darien Human Services Department will begin accepting applications for the 2020-2021 Connecticut Energy Assistance Program on Monday, Sept. 14 for households who heat with oil and on Tuesday, Oc 13 for households who heat with electricity, gas, or propane. — an announcement from the Darien Human Services Department

Residents must meet the following income restrictions:

Maximum Household Income

Proof of income is required, including:

· Social Security benefits

· Pensions or annuities

· Dividend and interest income

· Employment income

· Child support and/or alimony payments

· Unemployment, workman’s comp. or disability payments

Proof of liquid assets is also required:

· Checking and/or Savings accounts

· Stocks, Bonds, CDs and IRAs

Individuals, couples, and families may have liquid assets up to $15,000 for home owners and $12,000 for renters and still be eligible. Applications must be filed by 3/18/21 for households with oil or gas heat and 5/6/21 for households with electric heat.

American drivers continue to maintain a “Do-As-I-Say, Not-As-I-Do” attitude on the nation’s roadways. Worse, they fail to change their bad driving behavior even when their actions result in crashes, says AAA. — an announcement from AAA Northeast
In the latest AAA Traffic Safety Culture Index, the AAA Foundation of Traffic Safety reports drivers, who’ve been in at least one crash in the past two years, are significantly more likely to speed or text even when they think the police may catch them. The Index also highlights the gap between drivers’ attitudes and their reported behaviors. The research found drivers perceive distracted, aggressive and impaired driving as dangerous.

People who have lost a job have a 60-day deadline to get health insurance through COBRA, a period that is soon coming to an end for many of the laid-off, says Access Health CT, the state’s agency set up to help residents get health insurance. Losing health insurance coverage either from a furlough or a layoff is considered a ‘Qualifying Life Event,’ triggering a Special Enrollment Period through the federal COBRA benefits law. Access Health CT recommends comparing options with COBRA coverage. Workers who lose health insurance as a result of job loss may not know they have options, but Access Health CT says it may offer a better, less expensive choice, and is the only place where people can qualify for financial help to lower their costs. Here’s an announcement from the state agency:

Losing insurance either from a furlough or a layoff is considered a ‘Qualifying Life Event,’ triggering a Special Enrollment Period for that individual and possibly their household.

Gov. Ned Lamont is reminding Connecticut residents who need help paying last winter’s home heating bills that there is still time to apply to the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP). An extended application deadline of Monday, June 1, 2020, gives eligible families and individuals — including those impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency — more time to apply for this vital assistance. — an announcement from the Governor’s Office

“Even though we are well into spring, we want to remind everyone that there’s still time to apply for assistance to pay for your home heating bills for the last winter season,” Lamont said. “I want to thank the Department of Social Services and the dedicated staff of Connecticut’s community action agencies and partners for their work on behalf of so many children, families, older and other adults who need assistance.”

“CEAP is an important public-private partnership that safeguards tens of thousands of vulnerable Connecticut households from the cold each year,” Social Services Commissioner Deidre S. Gifford said. “It also helps residents who are behind on their utility heating bills and may be at risk of a shutoff at some point.”

Connecticut residents are welcome to apply, regardless of whether their home is heated through electricity, natural gas, or a deliverable fuel.

Darien Stop & Shop customers who used one of the self-checkout scanners may be the victims of identity theft, the grocery company has announced. Someone illegally installed a skimming device (or “skimmer”) at that register at the Stop & Shop in the Goodwives Shopping Center at 25 Old Kings Hwy. North. The skimmer was attached for five days at the end of last month — from April 26 to 30 at the Darien store, according to the company. If you may have opted for self-checkout at the Darien supermarket from April 26 to 30, you may want to check the account of any card you may have used to see if there are suspicious transactions, the Stop & Shop announcement said.

The statewide expansion of a program that will make free online learning licenses available to recipients of unemployment insurance, including those who have been impacted by the economic fallout of the COVID-19 public health crisis, was announced Monday by Gov. Ned Lamont. The SkillUp CT program will expand access to comprehensive online course work from a leading global provider for thousands of Connecticut residents. — an announcement from the Governor’s Office

Originally launched in eastern Connecticut, a sustained rollout of the program across the state over the coming weeks will enable recently laid-off workers to upgrade their skills and earn industry-recognized certifications even while the doors to most brick-and mortar education and training providers remain closed. Based on a successful model implemented by the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board, it is being offered through Connecticut’s five regional workforce development boards. Eligible Connecticut residents will receive email instructions on obtaining a Metrix Learning license that provides them access to about 5,000 online Skillsoft courses in areas such as information technology, business analysis, customer service, project management, and digital literacy, among others.

« October 2025 »

Governor Ned Lamont today announced that his administration has reached an agreement with over 50 credit unions and banks in Connecticut to offer mortgage relief to the state’s residents and businesses who continue to face hardship caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic. — an announcement from the Governor’s Office

Under the agreement, the following relief policies are being offered by participating financial institutions:

90-day grace period for all mortgage payments: Participating financial institutions are now offering mortgage-payment forbearances of up to 90 days, which will allow homeowners to reduce or delay monthly mortgage payments. In addition, the institutions will:

Provide a streamlined process for requesting forbearance for COVID-19-related reasons, supported with available documentation;
Confirm approval and terms of forbearance program; and
Provide the opportunity to extend forbearance agreements if faced with continued hardship resulting from COVID-19. Relief from fees and charges for 90 days: For at least 90 days, participating financial institutions will waive or refund mortgage-related late fees and other fees including early CD withdrawals. No new foreclosures for 60 days: Financial institutions will not start any foreclosure sales or evictions.