Mayor Derek Armstead, the City of Linden, the Department of Parks & Recreation are pleased to offer Kids Canvas Paint. Due to the popularity of this class, we are offering two dates per month to register your child for the class. Please choose one or the other. There are 15 slots per class and the classes fill quickly. Don’t be left out, register today!
Click here to view and/or download the informational flyer for this program.
Who: For kids ages 5 through 12.
What: Kids canvas paint classes. All supplies included. The painting classes are guided with the instructor showing every step. Small color copies of the painting will be handed out to the children for reference. Background music will be available to create a more creative and tranquil atmosphere for the young artists.
When: Due to the popularity of this class, we are offering two dates per month to register your child for the class. Please choose one or the other. Each class is from 6pm until 7:30pm.
January 16 or 30
February 13 or 27
March 12 or 26
How: $15 fee per class. To view full class description and register online, click here. In person registration is available 9am until 4pm at the JTG Center (330 Helen Street) or the Linden Multi-Purpose Center (1025 John Street). Online registration available 24/7. All first time registrants are required to call during business hours to have an account set up. For more information, email us here, or call 908-474-8600.
As you may know, many business and residential utility customers are targeted daily by impersonation scams. Scammers impersonate the utility company (such as PSE&G, Comcast, Verizon, NJ American Water and others) through in-person, phone, and online tactics, claim the utility bill is past due, and threaten to disconnect services unless a payment is made immediately. Customers are pressured to make payments via prepaid debit cards (such as Green Dot, MoneyPak, or Vanilla), wire transfers, cash apps (such as Venmo or Zelle), gift cards, or cryptocurrency (such as Bitcoin). Additionally, scammers may claim that the regular payment portal for the utility company is currently offline, but the target can submit payment through another portal via a link or QR code. This fraudulent payment portal creates a false sense of legitimacy by using spoofed domains, impersonation, and stolen branding. Phishing and smishing tactics attempt to convince the target to immediately take action, such as responding or calling a fraudulent phone number, disclosing sensitive information, or making payment.
In Person
Scammers may visit the target’s home or place of business in person, claim to be a utility company collector, present fraudulent identification, and ask for personal information, including account number or Social Security number. However, legitimate employees wear a uniform, visibly display a company ID badge, drive a company car with the utility company’s logo, and visit during a pre-scheduled appointment with the customer.
Calls
Additionally, if customers receive an urgent call from their utility company’s trusted customer service number claiming termination of services for non-payment and that someone will arrive in 15 minutes to disconnect service, slow down the conversation before making any quick decisions and verify the information through official sources, as the phone number may be spoofed (faked)!
Web Searches
Hackers are targeting customers who use search engines to contact their utility companies. The search engine results may contain fraudulent websites with fake phone numbers that, if called, will put unsuspecting customers at risk for threat actors to collect personal and financial information. Furthermore, service disconnections are not immediate; there is a multi-step process, including payment arrangement options and multiple notifications to the customer, typically by mail and noted on their regular monthly bill.
QR Codes
Traditional attack techniques of malicious links or attachments are often detected by email security, forcing threat actors to pivot to QR codes as the primary attack method in various schemes. QR codes, sent through unsolicited communications or posted in publicly accessible locations, may appear to be associated with a reputable brand or organization and could direct targets to phishing websites, fraudulent payment portals, and unsuspecting malware downloads. In one campaign, the threat actors persuade their victims to withdraw money from their financial accounts and transfer it to them using a QR code and cryptocurrency ATM to avoid service disconnection. Once the funds are deposited into the ATM to purchase cryptocurrency, the QR code with the embedded address is scanned, and the money is transferred to the scammers.
Please make sure to be vigilant of these and similar impersonation scams. Refrain from answering unsolicited or unexpected communications, especially those containing QR codes. Additionally, do not provide personal or financial information or transfer money, especially in cryptocurrency, to unverified entities. If you need help with this or another type of scam, please call my office at (908) 474 8493 so that I can help.
Click here to view and/or download the informational flyer for this event in English. Click here to view and/or download the informational flyer for this event in Spanish.
Who: Union County residents only.
What: Drive-through emergency food distribution hosted by the County of Union. The first 2,000+ persons will receive a special holiday food box produce with all the trimmings on a first-come, first-served basis.
When: Saturday, December 17, at 8am.
Where: Kean University, which is located at 1000 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ 07083.
How: One food distribution per vehicle, while supplies last. Refrigerate any perishable items shortly after distribution. Please make sure to clear out the vehicle’s trunk prior to arrival to make room for food boxes. Bring one (1) proof of Union County residency, NJ residency (Utility bill, Driver’s license, ID card). Event will take place rain or shine. With any questions, or for more information, please email the DHS Action Line or call 908-677-5405.
During the holiday season and all-year round, it is common for consumers to purchase gift cards for themselves, for family members and friends. Hackers seek to exploit this common purchase in the form of gift card scams.
How does this happen?
Hackers will initiate fraudulent requests by spoofing a known or trusted person – such as a person in leadership or a position of authority within an organization, a friend, or a loved one – to make the request appear legitimate. They also create a sense of urgency with a fake story or emergency to convince the recipient to act quickly without verifying. These fraudulent requests may be sent through email, SMS text messages, and social media platforms.
Authorities continue to receive reports of gift card scams from New Jersey residents and organizations. For example, an employee received an email sent from an external account purportedly from the CEO, who was attending a meeting out of state. The CEO requested their phone number to perform a task. The employee provided their phone number and then communicated through SMS text messages. The request was to purchase two $500 Apple gift cards, to which the victim complied and submitted the back of the gift cards. The request was was only identified as a scam when the victim was asked for the remaining balances.
Example of a real attempt to defraud.
In the above campaign, the hackers stated that they are traveling and having an issue purchasing a $500 Apple gift card for their niece’s birthday. They request the recipient to purchase the gift card and will pay them back as soon as they get back. Other campaigns may, for example, apologize for bothering the potential victim and inquire if they have an Amazon account or order from them.
What should we do?
Refrain from responding to unsolicited communications, clicking links or opening attachments from unknown senders, and exercise caution with communications from known senders. If you are unsure of am email’s legitimacy, then contact the sender via a separate means of communication, such as by phone, before taking action. Call the sender from a phone number that you already have, and NOT from a phone number provided in the email requesting the gift cards.
Refrain from complying with requests to purchase gift cards and sending the numbers to someone without first verifying the request via a separate means of communication. These are unusual requests or demands, typically portraying a sense of urgency, and should be handled with suspicion.
What should I do if this is happening or already happened to me?
If gift card information was already sent, then immediately contact the company who issued the gift card to inquire if the funds are still on the gift card and can be frozen.
Incidents should be reported on https://www.cyber.nj.gov/report (the NJCCIC Cyber Incident Report Form), and https://www.ic3.gov (the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center), and to the Linden Police Department at 908 474 8502.
Let’s all remain vigilant of these and similar scams.
Notice is hereby given that sealed submissions will be received by the Purchasing Agent, Jessica L Slawinski, of the City of Linden, on Thursday, December 21, 2023 10am, prevailing time, in the 1st Floor Purchasing Department office, City Hall, City of Linden, 301 N. Wood Avenue, Linden, NJ 07036 then publicly opened and read aloud for the following:
Proposals must be submitted in a sealed envelope clearly marked REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS, for (Position Number as Listed Above, Name of Position) and bearing the name and address of the proposer on outside; addressed to the Purchasing Agent, Jessica L. Slawinski, City of Linden, City Hall, Purchasing Department, 301 North Wood Avenue, 1st Floor, Linden, NJ 07036.
Standardized submission requirements and selection criteria are on file and available in the Purchasing Department, City Hall, 301 N. Wood Avenue, Linden, NJ 07036. Submission packages may also be downloaded on the The City of Linden’s website on this page.
In addition to full compliance with N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.4 et. seq. (“Pay to Play”), individuals or firms awarded contracts under these procedures will be required to comply with the requirements of N.J.S.A. 52:32-44 (Business Registration of Public Contractors), 42 U.S.C. Section 12101 et. seq. (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990), N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et seq. And N.J.A.C. 17:27 et seq. (Contract Compliance and Equal Employment Opportunities in Public Contracts).
Submission by Corporations and Partnerships shall include a completed Disclosure of Ownership form (N.J.S.A. 52:25-24.2) and shall include a completed Non-Collusion Affidavit. The City of Linden reserves the right to reject any or all submissions due to any defects of waive informalities and accept any submissions that in their judgment will be in the best interest of the City of Linden. The City of Linden shall award the contract or reject all submissions no later than 60 days from receipt of the same.
Jessica L. Slawinski, Purchasing Agent
To view and/or download the paper version of the RFQ Notice for 2023, click here.
To see all active RFQ and job opportunities with the City of Linden, including those in the notice above, click here.
Once completed all applications must be returned via email or mailed to City of Linden City Clerks’ Office, 301 North Wood Avenue, Linden, NJ 07036. Applications that are mailed must be postmarked by the application deadline or they will be returned to the applicant. Please be advised that all employment applications must be completed at the time of submission. Please include copies of resumes, proof of qualifications or any additional documents you wish to submit with your application.
Submission Deadline is December 26th, 2023 at 4:30pm.
One full time Clerk 1 position, in the Tax Assessor Department.
New Jersey Audubon is hosting public programs for all ages at Hawk Rise Sanctuary. Come out to Hawk Rise to experience the sights, sounds and smells of winter.
Click here to view and/or download informational flyer for the Winter 2023/2024 New Jersey Audubon programs.
Who: Appropriate for all ages.
What and When: New Jersey Audubon programs at Hawk Rise Sancturary from 10am until 11am.
Click here to view and/or download the informational flyer for this contest.
All homes in Linden that have their holiday lights on from December 12 to December 20 will be judged. No registration required. Winners to be announced on December 28, 2023. Winning homes will be on the City of Linden website, and pictures will be shared on Linden’s Facebook and Nextdoor pages. Gift cards will be delivered to the winning homes. Homes that have won in the past two years will not be eligible. Email here to have your home judged.
Click here to view and/or download the informational flyer for this program.
Who: Open to all children ages 6 through 12.
What: Indoor soccer. All participants must have their own shin guards.
Where: All League games are played at the Linden Multi Purpose Center, which is located at 1025 John Street.
When: The League begins on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 10:15am.
How: Registration deadline is December 29, 2023. After deadline, all registrants must register at the main office and a waiting list will be established. Registration fee is $56 for residents, and $66 for non-residents. The registration fee includes a one-time annual $6 insurance fee. All participants must have their own shin guards. Register online here, or register in person at the John T. Gregorio Center (330 Helen Street) from 9am until 4pm, or at the Linden Multi Purpose Center (1025 John Street) from 9am until 7pm. All locations accept checks, money orders, Visa and Mastercard. No refunds once the League begins. For more information, call (908) 474-8600. Please note: all new “First Time” participants must bring the following original documents that will be verified at registration:
Child’s original birth certificate.
Household bill showing proof of residency.
Diver’s License or photo ID of parent/guardian signing up their child.
