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Lucky Charms adds its first new marshmallow in 10 years. Here's what it looks like
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The new marshmallow is inspired and created by kids, according to a General Mills press release. - photo by Herb Scribner
Lucky Charms is about to bring in the unicorns.

The cereal brand, which has commercials and marketing centered around a leprechaun who just cant seem to find his stolen Lucky Charms, will now add a new marshmallow in the shape of a unicorn, according to a General Mills press release.

The new marshmallow will be white, blue and purple. The new marshmallow is inspired and created by kids, according to the press release.

"Our goal is to not only create a cereal that families and cereal fans will love and enjoy, but to inspire magical possibilities and help spark imagination and fun no matter what the age," said Josh DeWitt, marketing manager of Lucky Charms. "That's why, after 10 years, we decided to introduce a new charm with the help of the keepers of magic themselves kids. They spoke, and after hearing their love for the magical unicorn, we listened."

The unicorn will join the staple marshmallow shapes, which include hearts, stars, horseshoes, clovers, rainbows and red balloons, according to USA Today.

Sadly, the hourglass marshmallow will be phased out with the unicorn taking its place.

Youll have a chance to find the unicorns now in regular and chocolate versions of the cereal. They will receive a wide-release in March.

Social media praised the new marshmallow, according to Business Insider.

In August 2017, Starbucks released a Unicorn Frappuccino, according to Mashable. The cream-based drink appeared white, pink and blue. It was topped with glittery sugar.
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New Medicare cards are in the mail and scammers are on the prowl
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has begun mailing new Medicare Health Insurance ID cards. The program no longer uses Social Security numbers to identify people. - photo by Lois M Collins
The federal government is beginning to send out new ID cards to the 58 million Americans who benefit from Medicare. But since many of the people who will receive them don't know they're coming or why, scammers are already gearing up to take advantage.

An AARP survey shows as many as three-fourths of Americans 65 and older have no idea the cards are coming, so some individuals may be duped with claims that they're supposed to pay a fee or provide personal information that will be used, instead, to defraud them.

The new cards are the first reissue in years, and the most striking part of the redesign is that the cards no longer carry the beneficiary's Social Security number. Congress mandated the removal of that number as an identifier for Medicare beneficiaries by next April. Instead, the card has a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier number, an 11-digit combination of numbers and letters.

The new Medicare cards are now being mailed out in batches, starting with the Eastern seaboard and moving west. Most Medicare beneficiaries will receive their cards over the next six months, as long as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has their correct mailing address. Once the cards are in hand, people can share the new identification number with their health care providers. During a transition period, either card is valid.

The old cards, which used Social Security numbers as the personal identification number, should be destroyed.

AARP recently launched an education campaign to warn consumers about scams related to the new Medicare cards.

The membership organization's "Fraud Watch" consultant, Frank Abagnale reformed con man, scammer and the subject of the movie and book "Catch Me If You Can" tells senior citizens the only time they need to carry the actual Medicare card is to health care appointments. Otherwise, it should be left in a safe place. If they want to carry one in their wallet or purse, he says, make a copy and black out the first seven numbers.

Since the cards were announced, scammers have already:

  • Called seniors and asked for their bank account information so that money on their old card could be returned. There is no money on the old card and CMS never asks for personal information over the phone.
  • Offered to send the new card after Medicare beneficiaries pay a $25 fee to cover expenses related to the card. The card is free.
  • Said the card will be mailed out as soon as the older person verifies his or her Social Security number, mailing address and other personal information. CMS already knows the beneficiary's Social Security number and it's no longer being used in conjunction with health care.
AARP and the Federal Trade Commission will hold a free online seminar about the cards and the fraud attempts they have spawned on Thursday, April 19, at 7 p.m. EDT. Register at: www.aarp.org/FraudWebinar. CMS also offers a "frequently asked questions" guide to the new cards.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network says consumers can sign up for its Watchdog Alert emails that deliver breaking scam information, or call a free helpline at 877-908-3360 to speak with volunteers trained in fraud counseling. Abagnale also hosts a weekly podcast for AARP, called The Perfect Scam.
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