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Business Owners in Linden – Tell the State of New Jersey What You Think!

How has your business been impacted by COVID-19? What do you need for a safe and productive recovery? Fill out this online survey to share your story and help guide the State’s recovery plan.

“As your businesses and organizations continue planning to ensure the safety of your employees, customers and clients, and visitors, we would like to know more about how the pandemic has impacted you and the challenges you may face in the future. Please help by responding to this short, 10 to 15-minute survey. While the overall summary results from this survey will be made public, we will endeavor to keep your individual responses confidential. With your help, we are confident that the State can help businesses and non-profit organizations safely and equitably recover from this crisis.” – Governor Phil D. Murphy

Click here to fill out the State of New Jersey’s online survey for small business owners.

COVID-19 Walkup Testing @ Wheeler Park on Thursday, November 19th

The Union County COVID-19 Mobile Test Unit is now visiting various community locations to provide free tests for Union County residents. The Union County COVID-19 Mobile Test Unit has conducted more than 2,000 tests to date and is staffed by health professionals with the Union County Division of Health.

Linden – Wheeler Park; Splash Park Parking Lot, 234 West Stimpson Avenue

  • No appointment.
  • Registration done on-site with smartphone or tablet.
  • Mask required.
  • No food, drink, smoking or chewing gum 30 minutes prior.
  • Results within 72 hours.

Beware of Utility Scams!

Utility scams are on the rise. Sometimes impostors contact PSE&G customers demanding immediate payment and threatening service shut off. Don’t be a victim…be prepared.

  • Please click here to view a 25 second “scam alert” video.
  • You can also visit PSE&G’s website for more information about utility scams and how you can prevent falling victim to them.

Signs of Potential Scam Activity

  • Threat to disconnect: Scammers may aggressively tell the customer their utility bill is past due and service will be disconnected if a payment is not made – usually within an hour.
  • Request for immediate payment: Scammers may instruct the customer to use cash or purchase a prepaid card, a gift card or even Bitcoin, and then to call back to make a phone payment to the utility company, or to receive instructions for an in-person meeting, supposedly at a utility customer center. Often, after the customer makes the first payment, the scammer will call back and request the payment be resubmitted due to an error with the amount. The scammer refers to a new amount and claims that the original payment will be refunded. Sometimes they will call a third time to say the payment did not go through and to resubmit again.
  • In person-demands: Scammers may arrive at a home or business, flash a fake ID and/or claim to be a utility collection representative. The impostors may wear “uniforms” or affix false company signs to their vehicles. The scammers generally ask for personal information, something authentic utility representatives do not do, or offer bogus discounts.
  • Request for card information: If a customer calls back with the requested information, the caller asks the customer for the prepaid card’s number or gift card PIN, which grants the scammer instant access to the card’s funds, and the victim’s money is gone.
  • Priority meter installs: Recent phone scams reported to PSE&G include demands for payment for past-due bills, discounts for good payment history or requiring a deposit for a priority meter installation. PSE&G does not require a deposit for meter installations. Often scammers will threaten to disconnect electric service if payment is not made immediately. These scammers often demand payment through a pre-paid card (e.g. Green Dot Money Pak, Vanilla Reload Card) or Bitcoin. If the victim takes the bait, the scammer provides a telephone number where a fake representative requests additional information that completes the fraudulent transaction.

Digital Marketing & Social Media Webinar

Hosted by the Union County Economic Development Corporation, this introductory webinar addresses the basics of harnessing the power of digital to make it work with your business’s marketing strategy. You’ll leave with a fundamental understanding of the core principles of digital marketing and the know-how to balance digital techniques with traditional methods for greater effectiveness.

Digital marketing is an important part of your promotional mix, and social media platforms are valuable tools to use in your marketing communications strategy.  In this workshop, they’ll cover:

  • Using your website to build a foundation for communicating content
  • Integrating digital marketing into your overall promotions
  • Search Engine Optimization
  • Key aspects of popular social media platforms

Event Dates/Times & Registration PLEASE NOTE: Once you have registered, a link to the webinar will be emailed to you prior to the event with instructions.

New Jersey American Water – Virtual Information Session

New Jersey American Water is hosting a virtual information session for customers about its payment assistance programs on Wednesday, November 18, 2020 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Representatives from New Jersey American Water and the company’s H2O Help to Others program administrator, New Jersey Shares, will provide information about payment arrangements and budget billing, and H2O Program eligibility requirements and benefits. A demonstration of the application process will also be shown, as well as answers to commonly asked questions. Participants will also be able to ask questions live during the event.

To access the live session, click here a few minutes prior to the event. There will not be a special login to join the meeting, but attendees may be prompted to download the free Microsoft Teams app when clicking the link to join the meeting. More information can be found on the “Bill Paying Assistance” page of the company’s website.

  • Click here to download the informational flyer about this event.
  • Click here to download the press release about this event.

Bulk Trash Rules at DPW Yard

Attention all residents – all non-commercial Linden residents are allowed to dump a limited amount of bulk trash. No construction debris. Household items, such as furniture and appliances are permitted. This convenience is offered to get rid of a few small items before your next scheduled bulk day. Residents are allowed to drop off items once a week. Please click here for an updated list of rules pertaining to bulk trash drop-offs.

Union County Flu Shot Drive in Linden

Union County is holding a flu shot drive in Linden on Thursday, November 12th from 4pm to 7pm at St Theresa Church (131 East Edgar Road) to help ensure that everyone has access to a free seasonal flu vaccine at a convenient location, especially residents who have no health insurance.

Protection against seasonal flu is more important than ever before due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Pre-registration is required. County residents can attend any of our upcoming flu drives. View schedule and register here.

Beware of Unemployment Scams & Fraud!

The State of New Jersey’s Cybersecurity and Communication Integration Cell (NJCCIC) recently highlighted a cyber threat involving unemployment scams and fraud. In particular, the NJCCIC has received reports over the last several weeks detailing this insurance fraud and referencing emails claiming to be related to NJ unemployment with a COVID-19 lure, sense of urgency, and promise of financial assistance.

Please look out for suspicious activities and offer guidance on how to protect your personal identifiable information (PII) as received from a July Press Release from the FBI.

The FBI advises the public to be on the lookout for the following suspicious activities:

  • Receiving communications regarding unemployment insurance forms when you have not applied for unemployment benefits
  • Unauthorized transactions on your bank or credit card statements related to unemployment benefits
  • Any fees involved in filing or qualifying for unemployment insurance
  • Unsolicited inquires related to unemployment benefits
  • Fictitious websites and social media pages mimicking those of government agencies

Protection Tips:

  • Be wary of telephone calls and text messages, letters, websites, or emails that require you to provide your personal information or other sensitive information, especially birth dates and Social Security numbers. Be cautious with attachments and embedded links within email, especially from an unknown email sender.
  • Make yourself aware of methods fraudsters are using to obtain PII and how to combat them by following security tips issued by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, including:
  • Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks
  • Protecting Against Malicious Code
  • Preventing and Responding to Identity Theft
  • Monitor your bank accounts on a regular basis and request your credit report at least once a year to look for any fraudulent activity. If you believe you are a victim, review your credit report more frequently.
  • Immediately report unauthorized transactions to your financial institution or credit card provider.

If you believe you have been a victim of identity theft related to fraudulent unemployment insurance claims, report the fraud to: