Be Smart Before You Scan: Avoid QR Code Scams

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Published on 01/14/2025

Scam Alert

 

The Quick Response code, or QR code, has become a way of life in society. However, this has made it tempting for criminals to create some QR Codes of their own.  Probably everyone has seen them at gas stations, restaurants, paying for public parking, etc, but scammers are finding easy ways to hide harmful links in those codes. 

 

Ways to Protect Yourself

  • If you see a QR code in an unexpected place, inspect the URL before you open it.
  • Don’t scan a QR code in an email or text message you weren’t expecting, especially if it urges you to act quickly.
  • Verify the source of the QR code. If in doubt, go to the official website of the company or government agency “sending” you the QR code.
  • Protect your phone and accounts with updated software, strong passwords and multifactor authentication.
  • Install a QR scanner with added security.
  • Be wary of any site that asks for personal information, login credentials or payment.

 

What to Do When Scammed

If you believe you have been targeted by a quishing (QR Code phishing) scam, contact the police non-emergency number at 703-691-2131. Then, file a report using the Financial Crimes Information and Online Reporting System (FiCOR). 

 

Additional Resources 

Countywide Strategic Plan Launches Safety & Security Dashboard

 

Published on
12/17/2024
Safety and Security

 

The Safety & Security dashboard is the fifth dashboard now published to support the implementation of the Fairfax Countywide Strategic Plan. There will be a dashboard for each of the 10 Community Outcome Areas. 

 

About the Dashboard

The Safety & Security dashboard presents information under the following topic areas referred to as indicators:

  1. Effective and Equitable Administration of Justice
  2. Safety-Related Prevention and Preparedness
  3. Timeliness and Quality of Emergency Response
  4. Following Laws and Regulations

These indicators contain eight headline metrics related to diversions from arrest, Fairfax alert subscribers, youth who feel safe in their community, positive interactions with police, crimes against persons and property, number of persons arrested and 9-1-1 call processing time for high priority requests.

The dashboard is designed to:

  • inform residents and stakeholders, 
  • monitor progress over time, 
  • identify any demographic or geographic disparities among residents, and
  • guide community leaders, practitioners, and advocates in making data-driven decisions. 

Overall, the metrics included in the dashboard help to evaluate the goals of reducing reliance on incarceration when appropriate, expanding prevention and preparedness programs, providing timely emergency services, and strengthening the relationship between public safety and residents so that all members of the community can feel safe and protected. 
 

Data Highlights

  • Diversions from Arrests Have Increased
    Diversion First is a continuum of services, which offers alternatives to incarceration for people with mental illness, co-occurring substance use disorders and/or developmental disabilities, who come into contact with the criminal justice system for low-level offences. Since the launch of Diversion First in 2016, more than 3,800 diversions from arrest have occurred, with the number of diverted cases on the rise. In 2023, 598 diversions took place, a 59% increase from 2016 when only 375 cases were diverted.
  • Number of Fairfax Alert Subscribers Steadily Increased
    As of 2023, there were a total of 98,944 Fairfax Alerts subscribers, an increase of 54,948 subscribers since the program began in 2015. A total of 18 emergency alerts were sent in 2023, including 10 missing persons and 8 shelter in place notifications.
  • Most Young and Older Residents in Fairfax County Said They Felt Safe in their Community
    In 2023, over 92% of 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students in Fairfax County reported feeling safe in their neighborhood or around the area where they live. In a 2022 survey of adults over 50 years old, 85% of respondents rated their overall feelings of safety in the community as good or excellent. The rates for both young and older residents were higher compared to pre-pandemic rates.
  • Rate of Crimes Against Persons Increased, While Rate of Crimes Against Property Fluctuated 
    The rate of crimes against persons (per 100,000 residents) increased in Fairfax County by 24% from 2017 to 2023. The rate of crimes against property (per 100,000 residents) dropped by 9% between 2017 and 2021, then increased by 24% between 2021 and 2023. The rate of crimes against persons and property were both lower in Fairfax compared to Virginia from 2017 to 2023.

 

For More Information

The Safety & Security dashboard will be updated yearly to continue to determine trends and monitor progress.  All published dashboards may be accessed through the Countywide Data Analytics webpage. Learn about all ten Community Outcome Areas on the Fairfax Countywide Strategic Plan webpage. For instructions on how to navigate and use the dashboards, please visit the Strategic Plan Dashboard Tutorial. For questions about the dashboard, contact Countywide Data Analytics at DMBDataAnalytics@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Fairfax County FY 2026 Budget Forecast

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Rising Costs and Limited Revenue Growth Drive Projected $292.7 Million Shortfall

Published on
11/27/2024
Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Forecast

 

Fairfax County’s FY 2026 budget forecast, presented Tuesday, Nov. 26, during a joint budget policy committee meeting with the Board of Supervisors and School Board, underscores significant financial challenges for the upcoming fiscal year. 

Members of both boards emphasized that the forecast is a projection, based on preliminary information, and not a budget proposal. Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill will present the FY 2026 Advertised Budget to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025.

Residential property values are projected to rise by 4.78%, contributing to modest revenue growth. However, ongoing declines in nonresidential values and rising employee compensation costs are driving a combined projected shortfall of $292.7 million for the county and schools.

The county’s forecasted expenditure increases focus solely on essential costs, including collective bargaining agreements, debt service and maintaining existing programs and facilities. Excluded from the forecast are additional investments in affordable housing, Metro contributions or program expansions. The Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) forecast reflects the first year of costs associated with a recently negotiated collective bargaining agreement, which include a 7% compensation increase for staff.

 

Key Revenue and Real Estate Trends

General Fund revenue is forecast to grow by 1.8% at current tax rates, a $127.9 million increase that is insufficient to close the projected gap. Nonresidential property values are expected to fall by 1.3%, marking two consecutive years of declines driven by high office vacancies and rising operational costs. Residential property values are projected to rise by 4.78%, fueled by steady demand despite elevated mortgage rates.

 

County Budget Projections Prioritize Critical Expenditures

The FY 2026 county budget projections reflect a bare-bones approach, focusing on critical expenditures. Planned increases include those to cover collective bargaining agreements, a 2% cost-of-living adjustment and performance/longevity increases for non-represented employees and maintaining existing programs and facilities.

 

Budget Reductions Under Review

The county is exploring potential reductions to address the projected shortfall. Early estimates suggest that $33 million in cuts—the equivalent of one penny on the real estate tax rate—could be realized. However, these reductions are expected to be more challenging than in FY 2025, which focused primarily on cost savings and efficiencies. Service and program reductions may be unavoidable this year.

 

Schools Budget Reflects New Collective Bargaining Agreements

For the first time, the FCPS budget incorporates funding requirements from a newly established collective bargaining agreement that provides a 7% salary increase for staff as well as increased funding for transportation, food service and healthcare costs.

The county and FCPS continue to urge the state to increase funding to address the $568.7 million shortfall identified in the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) study. The study highlighted significant underfunding of schools by the Commonwealth, which remains a critical challenge as the county seeks to meet the growing needs of its student population.

 

FY 2026 Budget Timeline

  • Jan. 23, 2025: FCPS Superintendent presents the FY 2026 Proposed Budget.
  • Feb. 18, 2025: County Executive releases the FY 2026 Advertised Budget.
  • April 22-24, 2025: Public hearings on the FY 2026 budget.
  • May 13, 2025: Board of Supervisors adopts the FY 2026 budget.
  • July 1, 2025: FY 2026 fiscal year begins.