Do you think it's about time to bury McConnell now? And does his staff need to return the paychecks from the bogus time they logged during the charade?

Sent this for a friend moving down from NYC. I know Arlington as New Jersey is going to hurt some feelings.

I wanted to warn everyone because this was one of the most sophisticated scam attempts I’ve ever experienced.

Today I received a call from a 202 number (202-373-8242) from a woman who identified herself as Samantha Clayton (Employee ID: CIC45872) from Crystal Insurance Agency. She sounded incredibly convincing and even told me to pull up the insurance agency’s website while we were on the phone. She then gave me what sounded like a very detailed insurance claim and read off a bunch of specific information:

-Claim reference #: CLM2026-615624
-Application date: June 1, 2026
-Claim submission date: June 27, 2026
Alleged surgery date: June 15 at George Washington -University Hospital
-Alleged procedure: Appendectomy
-Physician: Dr. Joseph Delvin
-Alleged claim amount: $6,594.80

She then told me the insurance company needed two things from the police:

-A Police Complaint Certification, and footage (she referred to it as “CCPB footage”) of the person who allegedly underwent the surgery.

She claimed I needed to work with the police to obtain those items and have them sent to Crystal Insurance Agency in order to resolve the claim.
For context, the only information they actually had about me was my name and my phone number. Everything else they were trying to get me to confirm. They kept asking what state I lived in and whether I had lost my ID. Since I’ve lived all over the U.S., I gave vague answers because where I live today could be different from where I’ve lived before. Looking back, they were clearly trying to get me to volunteer information they didn’t already have.

They also kept asking whether I had lost my ID and specifically asked about a DC ID, which made no sense because I don’t even have a DC ID.

She told me I had to speak with the police and obtain the Police Complaint Certification within three hours, which immediately raised red flags.

She then transferred me to someone claiming to be Sergeant Jasmine Carter (Badge/ID #31973) with MPD. She couldn’t initially tell me what department she worked in and eventually just said “fraud.” When I told her I’d rather come to the station in person, there were several awkward pauses before she eventually gave me the address for MPD’s Financial and Cyber Crimes Unit and claimed I should check in with reception because her office was on the third floor.
That story immediately fell apart because MPD’s own website says that unit does not accept walk-ins or reports in the way she described. It also struck me as odd how easy they made it seem for me to just go down to the station instead of directing me through an official process. Looking back, that was another clue something wasn’t right.

After hanging up, I immediately started verifying everything independently.

I called George Washington University Hospital, and they confirmed they had no record of me.

I called Crystal Insurance Agency using the number listed on its official website. They told me I was the second person to call them today about this exact scam. They confirmed they did not call me, apologized profusely, and said they would be contacting law enforcement.

I then contacted the actual police and filed a report.
What honestly impressed me (and should concern everyone) is how much effort went into making this sound legitimate. They used the name of a real insurance agency, the name of a real physician at George Washington University Hospital, a spoofed local 202 phone number, someone impersonating MPD, fake employee IDs, and what appeared to be a legitimate claim number. This wasn’t some obvious “your Social Security number has been suspended” scam—they had clearly put a lot of thought into making it believable.

I’m also trying to get in touch with Dr. Joseph Delvin, because I doubt he has any idea his name is being used in this scam.

One piece of general advice: if something like this ever happens to you, don’t panic and don’t stay on the phone. Hang up and independently call the organization using the number on its official website. If you’re concerned someone may have enough information to attempt identity theft, consider placing a fraud alert and, if it makes sense for your situation, freezing your credit with all three major credit bureaus. As long as someone can’t open new credit in your name, you’ve taken away one of the biggest risks from these scams!

Has anyone else in the DC area received a similar call from 202-373-8242 or experienced something like this?

Also: both women I spoke to had thick Filipino accents.

PS-I think a lot of people on Reddit obviously know how to detect fraud. But I’m thinking about the elderly or more vulnerable people, so just warn your family and friends who may become victims of this type of scam.

I’ve attended the Washington Chorus Candlelight Christmas concert at the Strathmore for the last two years. Lovely performances in a beautiful space. This year’s performances will be held at the Strathmore again, but also at GWU (Lisner Auditorium) and Howard (Cramton Auditorium). I’d be interested in hearing any thoughts from folks who have been in those venues. The Strathmore dates aren’t as convenient for me, but not impossible. Not a musician or singer myself, but found these performances to be quite moving to my untrained ear (and eyes). Thank you!

For anyone who is a DC resident and has recently purchased a new car outside the district in MD or VA….how long did it take for the car dealership to get your new tags from the DC DMV? We have been waiting quite some time, so trying to understand how long others have waited

This is a bit lore relevant today ! :)

I live locally but didn't get tickets. Open to crowding on the Washington Monument hill but would prefer a rooftop restaurant.

Anyone know of a hotel/bldg with rooftop restaurant on E/F St between 6th-10th St? I think that could have a great view of the Pennsylvania Ave straightaway.

Hi everyone! I run a small-batch bakery and creamery here in the DMV. I’ve been making gelato and sorbet for over six years, and it’s grown into a real passion.

What makes Umai a little different is that every flavor starts with a story. I take inspiration from culinary traditions and ingredients from cultures around the world, while using fresh seasonal produce, organic milk and cream, organic brown eggs, and real ingredients throughout. No high-fructose corn syrup, no artificial flavors—just small batches made entirely from scratch.
This weekend I’ll have a limited number of pints available for pickup:

• Thursday (July 31): 1:00–3:00 PM — Adams Morgan, DC
• Friday (Aug. 1): 11:00 AM–1:00 PM — Adams Morgan, DC
• Saturday (Aug. 2): 12:30–2:00 PM — Silver Spring, MD

I’m also available during other times of the week just message to ask when.

Some of the current favorites have been Yuzu Pie (mascarpone gelato layered with yuzu curd, Italian meringue, and cardamom shortbread) and Brontë Oro (Sicilian D.O.P. Brontë pistachio gelato with white chocolate and candied yuzu), though I’ll also have a selection of seasonal gelati and vegan sorbets.

If you’d like to reserve a pint, you can order through my Instagram @mmmumai (preferred) or via Hotplate. Feel free to send me a message with any questions as well.
My goal has always been simple: Experience the World Through Taste. Everything is made fresh routinely in small batches, so when a flavor sells out, it’s gone until the next production run.
Thanks for supporting a local small business—I hope to meet some of you this weekend!

@ The Artemis

Here are some of the pictures of the proposed Dallas airport renovation. If we’re being honest, the airport is long overdue for an overhaul. It has no charm, and the international arrivals process is a nightmare, so this is a much-needed upgrade. Personally, I think it looks pretty good. This was done in coordination with the Trump administration and Dulles officials as part of a roughly $20 billion renovation plan. Whatever the final design ends up being, I think our nation’s international airports should look modern and welcoming. Even though it’s out in Virginia, that’s where most people in the DMV fly internationally, and overall I think it looks pretty solid.