Free credit reports weekly through April 2021

The three national credit reporting bureaus, Experian, Transunion, and Equifax are all offering everyone free weekly credit reports through April 2021. 

There are 3 ways you can request your reports: online, by phone, or by mail. You can request and access your reports online at www.annualcreditreport.com. You can get your reports mailed to you by either calling 1-877-322-8228 or by mailing a completed request form which you can download from here www.annualcreditreport.com/manualRequestForm.action

For security purposes you will have to go through a verification process if you make your request online or by telephone. You'll be asked a few questions about some specific credit accounts in your report and you'll get multiple choice answers to choose from. For example, they may ask you which finance company your car payment is through, or how much is your monthly mortgage payment. 

Reviewing your credit reports is a good way to catch identity theft and fraud. The same old fraudsters are pulling new tricks related to the pandemic, so it's as important as ever to keep vigilant about your credit and financial accounts.

If you see suspicious or confusing information on your credit reports you can get help figuring out what to do next. If you are at least 60 yrs old and a West Virginia resident you can all WV Senior Legal Aid at 1.800.228.5068 for help in any part of this process.

Struggling with mortgage? Deadline to apply for help 12/31/20

The federal CARES Act creates some help for people who are struggling to pay their mortgages because of COVID-related issues. The deadline to request the help is 12/31/2020.

Who is eligible? People who have federally-backed mortgages (like FHA, USDA, VA mortgages, for example) who are having trouble making the payments because of the pandemic.

What if my mortgage isn't federally backed? Many private mortgage lenders are offering pandemic-related relief, too. 

What kind of relief is available? A forebearance, meaning a temporary reduction or pause in your obligation to make your mortgage payments for up to 180 days with a possible extension of another 180 days.

Do I have to prove my financial hardship? No. If you qualify for the CARES Act relief the mortgage servicer can not legally require you to produce evidence of your financial hardship.

What happens after the forebearance period, if I get one? You'll still be required to pay back the missed mortgage payments, but you can not be required to pay it in a lump sum if you qualify for the CARES Act relief. You'll have a repayment plan, so that is something you and the mortgage servicer should work out before your forebearance is up.

Do I have to pay application fees or other fees to get the relief? No. Under the CARES Act you can not be charged fees for the relief. If anyone asks you to pay upfront fees to get the relief it is likely a scam, report it to consumer protection authorities like the Federal Trade Commission https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/ and be careful.

The deadline for this relief is just a couple weeks away! If you are struggling to meet your mortgage payments, or you are already behind, you can call your mortgage servicer to ask about what relief you might be eligible for. You might get the break you need.

For more information see https://www.consumerfinance.gov/coronavirus/mortgage-and-housing-assistance/mortgage-forbearance-during-covid-19-what-know-what-do/ and http://cfpb.gov/housing

Social Security and SSI benefits COLA increase 1.3% starting January 2021

 

You probably already got a letter from the federal Social Security Administration about your 2021 benefits increase. But in case you didn't, starting in January you'll be getting a 1.3% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) increase on your Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. 

The COLA by law is calculated using a formula based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the previous year's third quarter. So in years when there is more consumer price inflation the COLA is likely to be higher for the following year. This 1.3% increase is one of the lowest since the COLA was implemented in 1975, though there have been 3 years where there was no increase at all.

You don't have to do anything to receive the increase, it will come automatically in your benefits starting with your January disbursement. Strangely enough, SS and SSI pay benefits for the previous month, so technically the COLA applies to your December benefits, but you receive them in the January disbursement. 

The average monthly Social Security benefit amount in 2020 was $1503, so the average increase from this COLA will be $19.53. Might get you a few bottles of your favorite caramel-colored beverage.

For more information see the Social Security Administration's website page about the COLA . 

WV Senior Legal Aid is open today in honor of our veterans

 

West Virginia Senior Legal Aid appreciates all our state's seniors who have served in the armed forces. We appreciate their families, too. We are open today to provide free legal services to any senior West Virginian age 60 or over, and we encourage any veteran especially to call us at 1.800.229.5068. Thank you for your service.

Behind on utilities? Watch your mail! Short deadline to get help!

On 10/21/20 the Governor announced that West Virginians whose utilities went unpaid because of COVID-19 may be eligible for CARES Act funding to pay them.

According to the press release: "Customers of electric, natural gas, water, and sewer utility companies who have experienced economic hardship and/or uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, causing them to have unpaid utility bills from the period of March 1 – July 31 of this year, may receive financial assistance to pay those bills."

The utility companies will receive the funds, and are sending out letters to potentially eligible customers with the application for help.

Even if you're not sure you qualify, might as well apply. Even if it doesn't cover your entire arrearage, might as well apply. 

If you have unpaid utilities from this time be on the lookout for a letter from your utility company that will include the application. Your completed application must be returned by NOVEMBER 12, 2020. 

It's a very short deadline. Tell your friends about it, they may know someone who needs to know. Some folks just throw out mail from the utility company when they think it's just another bill they can't pay, so it's important for folks who need it to know this letter is coming.

Email saying $299 subscription renewal fee coming out of your bank account? It's a phishing scam.

It might say it's a renewal of your Windows Defender subscription, or some other subscription service. It might say the fee for renewal is $299 and it will be charged from your checking account. It will probably say something about 24 hours and create some urgency for you, a hallmark of scams. It will likely have a phone number that it says to call if you don't want the subscription.

DON'T CALL the number. Don't reply in any form.

This is a phishing scam, and these kinds are rampant right now.

If you've been scammed you are not alone. No one is immune from this kind of victimization, no matter how educated, how smart, or how wealthy you are. 

Hearing about the details of these scams before you get the email increases your likelihood you'll recognize and avoid when it lands in your inbox. So tell your friends! Pass it on.

Track your Absentee Ballot online

There are various news stories out there creating concern about the security of our elections. Specifically there have been concerns raised about absentee voting. One tool West Virginians can use to secure their vote is the absentee ballot tracking system you can find online at https://sites.omniballot.us/54/absentee/app/home

Any registered West Virginia voter can vote absentee in the upcoming November election. Many already have. In order to get an absentee ballot you must complete an application for absentee ballot. You can get a printable application for absentee ballot here  https://sos.wv.gov/FormSearch/Elections/Voter/Absentee%20Ballot%20Application.pdf or you can apply online at https://sites.omniballot.us/54/absentee/app/home. Though you must have a reason to vote absentee, anyone can check the first box claiming health concerns because of COVID-19 and that will be accepted by the Clerk as a valid reason to absentee vote for this election.

The last day to request an absentee ballot is October 28. After your absentee ballot application is received by your County Clerk, you will be mailed an absentee ballot.

Then once you fill out your absentee ballot you can either mail it in or hand deliver it to your County Clerk. 

The last day to mail your completed absentee ballot is election day, November 3, 2020.

You can find answers to questions about voting in this election at the WV Secretary of State's website at https://sos.wv.gov/elections/Pages/FAQs.aspx

Census participation critical for seniors, deadline moved up to 9/30/20

The US Census Bureau has moved up the final deadline for getting counted in the 2020 census to September 30, 2020. That means you have one month less than previously announced to complete your census.

Seniors are among the most important West Virginians to get counted because so many of our programs and services for seniors are funded in part by federal dollars. Federal funding is distributed across the country through formulas that are based on these census figures.

So the more seniors who get counted in West Virginia the higher our share of federal funding for many programs for seniors like home delivered meals, transportation, and home care.

It's a crime to refuse to participate in the census, though we have never heard of anyone actually being prosecuted for it.

If you haven't completed your census yet for whatever reason, you still have time, but not much. You can submit your information online or find out how to submit it by phone or mail by going to https://my2020census.gov/

Absentee voting, deadlines, and other election stuff

The general election is November 3, 2020, not so far away. Like in the primary election this year, you can choose to vote absentee in the general election in WV if you want to avoid the possibility of getting exposed to the coronavirus at the polls.

Unlike in the primary election, however, you will not automatically get a postcard with the application for you to complete to request an absentee ballot. This time you will have to get your own WV Absentee Ballot Application. You can either enter your request online at https://sites.omniballot.us/54/absentee/app/home or you can download at https://sos.wv.gov/FormSearch/Elections/Voter/Absentee%20Ballot%20Application.pdf  If you are at least 60 yrs old and need help downloading or printing an application for absentee ballot you can call WV Senior Legal Aid at 1.800.229.5068.

The official deadline for you to get your application for absentee ballot submitted is October 28, 2020. 

But there are practical concerns about the time it may take for your mailed application to arrive, so you risk missing that deadline if you cut it too close. According to the WV Secretary of State's office "Absentee applications received after October 28, even if postmarked, cannot be accepted by law." 

Your completed absentee ballot must be postmarked no later than November 3, 2020 to count. If you change your mind after receiving your absentee ballot and want to go vote in person, YOU SHOULD BRING YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT WITH YOU to the polls. It must be destroyed there before you vote in person, or you'll have to vote a challenge ballot. It's complicated.

Another option to avoid crowds on election day is to early-vote in person. Early voting in person can be done from October 21 through October 31, check with your county courthouse for locations and times.

Older West Virginians, your vote is important. Your need to protect yourself from infection is important, too. Contact WV Senior Legal Aid at 1.800.229.5068 if you are at least 60 yrs old and have concerns or questions about election procedures or your rights.

WV DMV: drivers licenses expiration extended to end of 2020, but license plates extension ends 9/30/20

Because of the pandemic the WV Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) had allowed that drivers licenses and vehicle registrations that were to expire after March 1, 2020 were extended through September, 2020.

They have continued that extension for drivers licenses now through the end of the year. So if your drivers license (or drivers permit or commercial drivers license) says it expires anytime after March 1, 2020, you now have until December 31, 2020 to renew it.

The new extension, however, does not apply to vehicle registrations. So if your license plate expiration date is between March 2020 and September 2020, it must be renewed by September 30, 2020.

For more information and ways you can renew your licenses and registrations safely see the WV DMV website at https://transportation.wv.gov/DMV/News/Pages/Driver%27s-license-expiration-dates-extended-through-the-end-of-the-year.aspx

read free online Surviving Debt: Expert Advice for Getting Out of Financial Trouble

The National Consumer Law Center, an excellent nonprofit resource on economic justice for vulnerable Americans, has made the 2020 edition of their book Surviving Debt available to read for free online during the COVID-19 crisis.

Click here to read https://library.nclc.org/sd/0102

Contact tracer or scammer?

In order to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus our county health departments are conducting contract tracing to track down and isolate infected people, and to alert people who may have been exposed. Contact tracers do their work by contacting individuals and asking them questions designed to help determine who has been exposed and who may be infected.

This creates an opportunity for imposters to try to get our personal information for identity theft.

We have a duty to the community to cooperate with legitimate contact tracers, and our health departments have the authority to legally order us to cooperate. So if you are contacted by someone claiming to be a coronovirus contact tracer you should carefully determine if the person asking for our personal information is legitimate or an imposter.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says legitimate contact tracers may call, email, text, or visit your home to collect information. They may ask you for:

• your name and address
• health information
• the names of places and people you have visited

Scammers will ask you to do more. Here are some things to do to protect yourself from fake contact tracers.

• Don’t pay a contact tracer. Anyone who says you need to pay is a scammer, plain and simple.
• Don’t give your Social Security number or financial information. There’s no reason for a legit contact tracer to need your Social Security number, bank account, or credit card number.
• Don’t share your immigration status. Legit contact tracers don’t need — and won’t ask for — this information.
• Don’t click on links or download anything sent from a contact tracer. Real tracers will only send you texts or emails that say they’ll be calling you — not ask you to click or download anything.

What should you do if you think you’re dealing with a fake contact tracer? Check with your state health department to see if they have a way to make sure the person contacting you is a real contact tracer. Otherwise, hang up, close the door, or don’t respond to, click on, or download anything that may be in an email or text. Then, report it to your state and tell the FTC about it at FTC.gov/complaint.

Any West Virginia senior age 60 or over can call WV Senior Legal Aid and talk to a lawyer about contact tracing or other legal issues. 1.800.229.5068.

Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

June 15 every year is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. This year many older people are struggling with isolation more than ever because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we know isolation is a big risk factor for elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

On this day we focus on preventing, intervening in, and getting justice for elder abuse around the world and in West Virginia.

You can report elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation in West Virginia by calling our state's Adult Protective Services hotline at 1-800-352-6513.

Anyone may join this free webinar today from 1p to 3p EDT to learn about elder abuse and COVID-19. 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2020-world-elder-abuse-awareness-day-aging-in-the-covid-19-world-registration-91912862847

Make your vote count! Important info about your absentee ballot.

West Virginians, we have an election tomorrow. It's a primary election for many offices, but it's the final election for non-partisan offices like judges at all levels. 

If you applied for an absentee ballot in order for your vote to count you must either: bring your completed ballot in person to your county clerk today, mail your ballot with postmark by tomorrow, or vote in person tomorrow at your polling place. 

But if you received an absentee ballot upon your request but never sent it in and prefer to vote in person at your polling place you should BRING THE ABSENTEE BALLOT WITH YOU to the polling place. You can still vote if you haven't already turned in your absentee ballot and you don't bring in the blank one to be destroyed at the polling place, however, you will have to vote a provisional ballot. That means your vote will not be counted on election night, it will be sent to the Board of Canvassers for further on a case-by-case basis. 

It is fraud a crime to vote twice, so if you voted by absentee ballot it is not legal for you to vote again in person at your polling place.

WV Courts back open for non-emergency proceedings

Several previous orders issued by the WV Supreme Court of Appeals closing the courts except for emergencies have expired and proceedings including hearings and trials will be happening again in magistrate, family, and circuit courts in our state.

Though all the courts are encouraged to use technology to allow remote attendance for proceedings, each county and court will function a little differently. 

If you have had a court proceeding that was delayed during the pandemic you should expect to get notified about scheduling soon. If you have concerns about your safety appearing in court you can call the judge or magistrate's office and talk to the clerk about how to safely make your appearance.

Here's the most recent order about how the courts will resume non-emergency operations http://www.courtswv.gov/covid19/ResumptionOfOperations-ProtocolsandMap5-6-20.pdf. If you are at least 60 years old and a West Virginian with a legal question or problem you can call WV Senior Legal Aid and talk to an attorney for free. 1.800.229.5068.

Retirement Account Changes

Significant changes relating to tax-deferred retirement account distributions have occurred in recent months.

First and foremost, for 2020, the CARES Act suspended the requirement for older account owners to make mandatory distributions from their retirement accounts during the year because of the economic downturn. Of course, voluntary distributions are still permitted.

Further, for over 30 years, those with retirement accounts knew that voluntary withdrawals, subject to federal income taxes, could begin at age 59 1/2 and that required minimum distributions, based on an age/rate chart, had to start at age 70 1/2 (with certain exceptions).

Now, because of the SECURE Act, the magic age for required withdrawals (other than during the 2020 suspension) is 72.

This federal law became effective in December 2019 and has permanently extended the starting time for future mandatory distributions from retirement accounts to age 72. In these roller coaster stock market times, being able to wait that extra time could allow the account balance to recover.

Many people earmark their retirement accounts as possible inheritance funds for their family. Delaying distributions on these tax-deferred funds as long as the law allows can mean larger future balances.

The new law also changes the after-death rules for distributions to heirs. The full account balance must be paid out within 10 years, with exceptions for spouses and certain other individuals. Previously, many heirs could stretch out distributions over their lifetimes to reduce the income taxes owed from receiving such distributions.

Charitable use of Individual Retirement Account (IRA) funds can also be a way to avoid income taxes. Starting at age 70 1/2, amounts up to $100,000 from an IRA (but not from other types of retirement accounts) can be used each year for charitable purposes and escape federal and West Virginia taxation. These charitable gifts satisfy the required minimum distribution rules, when applicable, as well.

For assistance dealing with tax and other legal issues, contact West Virginia Senior Legal Aid at 800-229–5068. Those age 60 and over living in the state are eligible for this free help.

TOO MANY DEBTS?

Too many debts to deal with these days?

Unfortunately, many Americans are finding that to be true as we endure the novel coronavirus pandemic and its far-reaching economic impact.

While there are programs to freeze or defer some debts and expenses temporarily, such as credit card payments and rent, that relief is just for the short term.

As many struggle to keep up with their bills in these uncertain times, the suggestion of contacting your creditors to work out terms to handle these debts probably should not be the first step taken.

Instead, looking at the big picture and listing which debts are past due, currently due, and will be owed in the near future may be the most beneficial starting point.

Of course, being able to pay for the necessities of food, shelter, utilities and transportation is at the top of the list for your budget. If one or more of those bills is past due, they are crucial to focus on immediately.

The staff attorneys at West Virginia Senior Legal Aid can help state residents, age 60 and over, review their current financial situation and work out a listing of which bills need to be given top priority, secondary priority, and so on.

The WVSLA attorneys have experience working with the laws, programs and regulations dealing with mortgages, rent, utilities, car loans, credit cards, etc. and can assist with recommending how to put your financial house in order. There is no charge for their guidance.

Remember also that some debt collectors will use predatory practices. They will attempt to persuade you to pay the debt they are trying to collect and will have no concern about any others that won’t be paid.

Finding the right combination of satisfying current living expenses and handling debt can take some thought and effort. Calling West Virginia Senior Legal Aid at 800-229-5068 can help seniors avoid painful mistakes and get going in the right direction.

WV DMV gives automatic extensions on driver's licenses, permits, registration, and inspection

Don't panic if your WV driver's license, driver's permit, car registration expired in March 2020 or April 2020 you have a three month extension to get those renewed. Vehicle inspections that expire from April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2020 will have a 3 month grace period, and the vehicle inspection program will be suspended during this time.

WV DMV is currently closed to the public in accordance with Governor's stay-at-home order to prevent COVID-19 exposure to customers and employees.

You can still use the DMV's online services and mail-in services if you wish to do things like driver's license renewal with no changes, registration renewals, obtaining duplicate driver's licenses, registration cards, decals, and plates, obtaining driving records, request a personalized plate, etc.

Covid-19 Relief Package: Stimulus Payments to Seniors

To help alleviate some of the economic fallout from the Covid-19 crisis, the US government has issued new federal stimulus legislation, called the CARES Act. As part of this stimulus package, the government is preparing to send out direct payments to help individuals amid the pandemic. Many seniors may be wondering if they are eligible to receive a stimulus payment; if so, for how much; and what, if anything, they need to do in order to get the funds.

Who is eligible?

The legislation will give single adults with adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less on their 2019 tax returns a one-time check for $1,200. Married couples who filed jointly with incomes under $150,000 will receive $2,400. Families will get an additional $500 for each child.

For individuals with income above this amount, the payment amount is reduced by $5 for each $100 above the $75,000 threshold. Single filers with income exceeding $99,000 and $198,000 for joint filers with no children are not eligible for the stimulus payment.

Individuals who are collecting Social Security benefits for retirement, disability, or Supplemental Security Income are eligible for the stimulus payments.

I am not typically required to file a tax return because my income is low, so I didn't for 2018 or 2019. Can I still receive my payment?

Yes. For the many low-income seniors who are not required to file a federal tax return the CARES Act provides that the IRS to get information from the Social Security Administration about where to send your check. Folks who receive Social Security retirement benefits, Social Security Disability benefits, and/or SSI benefits will not have to take any action to receive their stimulus payment.

How Will I Receive My Payment?

The IRS will send the payments either electronically through direct deposit into people's bank accounts if that is how they receive their tax refunds or their Social Security or SSI benefits. If you receive refunds or benefits by paper check, you will receive your stimulus money by paper check. If you receive benefits on a Direct Express card it is not yet clear whether you will receive your stimulus money on the card or through a paper check.

For those who do not already have their bank account information on record with the IRS or SSA, the IRS says it is planning to develop “in the coming weeks” a web-based portal where individuals could provide their banking information to the IRS online, so that individuals can receive payments immediately as opposed to checks in the mail.

When will I receive the stimulus money?

Direct deposits should begin within the next few weeks, and checks will be mailed later.

I have a tax filing obligation but have not filed my tax return for 2018 or 2019. Can I still receive an economic impact payment?

Yes. The IRS urges anyone with a tax filing obligation who has not yet filed a tax return for 2018 or 2019 to file as soon as they can to receive an economic impact payment. Taxpayers should include direct deposit banking information on the return in order to receive the payment more quickly.

Will this stimulus money knock me off my other federal benefits like SNAP or Medicaid or HUD?

No. The CARES Act provides that this money is not countable income for 12 months after you receive it for any federal, state, or local programs that are funded in whole or in part with federal funds.

For the more info regarding stimulus payments visit:

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/economic-impact-payments-what-you-need-to-know www.irs.gov/newsroom/economic-impact-payments-what-you-need-to-know
https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus
https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus
https://www.aarp.org/politics-society/advocacy/info-2020/coronavirus-stimulus-checks.html

WV Judicial Emergency for COVID-19, most proceedings and deadlines delayed

Our state courts, including magistrate, family, and circuit courts, are administered by the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals (WVSLA). Municipal courts operate independently.
In response to the COVID_19 pandemic the WVSCA has issued 2 orders and a plan document. You can access all these and future COVID-19 related court administration documents at http://www.courtswv.gov/covid19/COVID19.html.
Pursuant to those orders all civil and criminal proceedings in our state courts, except emergency proceedings and certain criminal proceedings, are currently stayed through 4/10/2020. All deadlines that fall between 3/23/2020 and 4/10/2020 are extended to 4/11/2020. All statutes of limitation that fall within those dates are extended to 4/11/2020. Statutes of limitation that do not expire between those dates ARE NOT extended.
Emergency proceedings include:

• domestic violence
• child abuse and neglect where there is imminent threat
• infant guardianship
• custody cases involving threat to cbild
• juvenile detention/placement in state custody

Criminal proceedings necessary to ensure the right to a speedy trial are not subject to the stays.
Proceedings should continue utilize technology to limit physical contact when possible.
Note that eviction is not on the emergency civil proceedings list, so there should be no ordinary eviction proceedings at least through 4/10/2020.
If you are at least 60 and a West Virginia resident with a civil legal question or problem, or concerns about the status of our state courts you can call WV Senior Legal Aid at 1-800-229-5068 for help.

WV Senior Citizens Tax Credit process

NOTE: As of March 25, 2020, West Virginia’s personal income tax filing deadline is July 15, 2020.

When it’s tax time, everybody appreciates a little help, especially when tax credits are available. Each dollar of a credit eliminates a dollar of tax.

West Virginia’s Senior Citizens Tax Credit helps certain older residents pay lower income taxes, as does the Homestead Excess Property Tax Credit.

To claim either or both credits, a person does not have to itemize expenses on their return.

Both income tax credits are tied to owning residential property. The Homestead Exemption program reduces property taxes on owner-occupied property for those age 65 and older or disabled who sign up at their county assessor’s office for the exemption.

Under the state program, the first $20,000 of the home‘s assessed value is exempt, or non-taxable, for property tax purposes.

For annual income tax purposes, those who are eligible for the Senior Citizens Tax Credit receive Form SCTC-1 in the mail from the West Virginia State Tax Department each January.

The form lists the amount of the tax credit that can be claimed when preparing the West Virginia tax return. Be sure to save it for tax return preparation purposes.

There is also a low income requirement for Senior Citizens Tax Credit eligibility that is determined when calculating the numbers for the tax return.

Further, for those receiving the Homestead Exemption on their residential property taxes, there is the Homestead Excess Property Tax Credit to reduce income taxes.

When a person’s residential property taxes exceed 4% of their income, he or she may receive a state income tax credit for the excess amount. The maximum credit is $1000.

If a person is eligible for both of these state income tax credits, the amount of the Senior Citizens Tax Credit will reduce the amount of the Homestead Excess Property Tax Credit that can be claimed.

Neither of these state tax credits affect or reduce the federal taxes owed.

More information is available on the https://tax.wv.gov/Individuals/SeniorCitizens/Pages/SeniorCitizensTaxCredit.aspx page.

Checks from the government, here come the scammers!

We hear the government is planning to send out money to everyone. The details are still being worked out, there's not much known about how.

But one thing we know for certain: scammers want your money. They will creatively try many ways to get that money from you, perhaps before you even get it.

Here are a few important things to remember as we await the details of our government cash:

1. The government will not ask you to pay anything up front to get this money. No fees. No charges. No nothing.

2. The government will not call to ask for your Social Security number, bank account, or credit card number. Anyone who does is a scammer

3. These reports of checks aren’t yet a reality. Anyone who tells you they can get you the money now is a scammer.

The 2020 census will tell us many things about the United States and its population.

Participating in the census is very important for West Virginians because of how multiple federal benefits are allocated and controlled.

Many federal programs focus on funding for those with low income or living in rural areas. Under-counting would also mean under-funding.

A George Washington University study revealed that West Virginia relies the most of any U. S. state on federal money that is guided through census results.

On both state and local government levels, federal funding is crucial, making accurate census results just as crucial.

Currently, information is being collected online, through phone calls from legitimate census takers and by mail. To expedite the process, the online process is the easiest.

The Federal Trade Commission wants everyone to be aware that fraudulent schemes to get an individual’s personal information are occurring, using the false pretense that the person is calling on behalf of the federal census.

If fraud is suspected in any contact that is census-related, call 800-923-8282 to speak with a representative at the nearest Census Bureau or go online to FTC.gov/Complaint to file a complaint.

Money Mule Scams

Black History Month's Honoree - Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

As a young child growing up in Piedmont, West Virginia, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. did not know that someday he would help America celebrate its roots.

In observance of Black History Month, we salute Dr. Gates and applaud his PBS program “Finding Your Roots.”

Now a Harvard University African-American Studies professor, Dr. Gates has increased focus on America’s immigrant journeys through the family trees of celebrities, journalists, political leaders, scientists and other accomplished individuals of varied ethnic backgrounds.

With numerous African-American guests, he has illustrated the impact of “disappeared” relatives—those slaves who were never listed by name in any records. Others have discovered that they were descendants of free people of color.

In contrast, other guests have learned that their ancestors five or six generations back were slave owners.

In recognition of his ground-breaking work, Dr. Gates has received honorary degrees or awards from 53 universities, including West Virginia University. He was awarded the MacArthur Fellow “genius grant” and other prestigious accolades for his efforts as author, documentary filmmaker, essayist, literary critic and professor.

Black History and the Court System, free lecture 3p 2/8/20 at Culture Center in Charleston WV

The Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs sponsors a monthlong series of events. The lecture “Black History and the Court System” will be presented Saturday, Feb. 8, at 3 p.m. in the Culture Center, Archives Library. The speaker will be Charleston-born attorney Olubunmi “Bunmi” Kusimo-Frazier.

The event is free and open to the public.

The discourse will explore how the American court system has factored into the lives of African Americans. The lecture is part of a series of events sponsored by Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs (HHOMA) to recognize Black History Month.

“We are excited to bring back our popular Black History Month Lecture Series for a second year,” said Jill Upson, executive director of HHOMA. “We encourage everyone to RSVP at 304-356-2023 because seating for this event may fill up quickly.”

Kusimo-Frazier serves as the director of Magistrate Services at West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. She oversees more than 400 employees and the operations of the 55 magistrate courts in the state of West Virginia.

She studied at the historically black Florida A&M University and graduated magna cum laude. She holds a juris doctor from Washington and Lee University School of Law in Lexington, Virginia.

After graduating from law school, Kusimo-Frazier returned to Charleston to work as an assistant prosecuting attorney and as a criminal defense lawyer for a private firm. As a criminal defense attorney, she represented numerous clients in federal, state, and municipal courts, and was named one of the "Top 40 under 40" by the National Trial Lawyers Association. She also worked as a deputy counsel for the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia.

The Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs, which operates within the Office of Governor Jim Justice, is committed to assisting all underserved citizens across West Virginia and developing innovative ways to address issues affecting minority populations through conversation, education, leadership, and collaboration. For more information, visit their Facebook page at @WVHHOMA, website at minorityaffairs.wv.gov, or call their office at 304-356-2023.

Do you need a REAL ID?

It’s gold star time -- beginning October 1, 2020, West Virginians will need to have a gold star on their driver’s license to go through airport security for a commercial airline flight.
The gold star converts your driver’s license into what is called a REAL ID for certain federal purposes. The alternatives of a passport, federal government PIV card, or military ID will work for the same purpose.
A REAL ID will also be needed to go through security in certain federal facilities/buildings, military bases, or nuclear power plants as of October 1.
There are exceptions where the REAL ID is not needed, such as Social Security, Veterans Administration and post offices, and National Parks. Some other federal facilities do not require identification to enter.
When a driver’s license needs to be renewed, West Virginians have the choice of a REAL ID or the standard type of driver’s license which will not be usable for identification after October 1 for flights, entering federal or military facilities, etc.
The REAL ID costs an additional $10 and also requires two documents, such as current utility bills, to show proof of West Virginia residency (the non-federal version requires only one). Further, either type of license also requires proof of identity (through a birth certificate or passport) and proof of your Social Security number.
Although these are state requirements, the overall program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security and is intended to make it more difficult for terrorists to acquire and use fraudulent identification.
Online information on the REAL ID requirements is available at https://transportation.wv.gov/DMV/Drivers/Pages/Drivers-Licenses.aspx.

WV Legislative Session begins 1/8/2020

Our state legislature meets for its 2 month regular session starting Wednesday January 8, 2020. That night Governor Jim Justice will deliver his 4th State of the State address You can watch and listen live on West Virginia Public Broadcasting tv and radio stations, the legislature's internet live stream, the Governor's YouTube channel , and the Governor's Facebook page.

12 Days of Scams Day 12: Never Surrender!

Are Americans becoming scam-weary?

If so, that can actually make it much easier for the scammers.

So staying vigilant and remembering that if something comes your way that sounds too good to be true, it could be a scam.

The top tips from the Federal Trade Commission on how to avoid being the next victim are available at https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0060-10-things-you-can-do-avoid-fraud.

To stay current on scams, the FTC provides a service that sends alerts to you via ftc.gov/scams. Also, AARP has a series of podcasts on scams that hit seniors at https://www.aarp.org/podcasts/the-perfect-scam/.

12 Days of Scams Day 11: I Am the H.A.L. 9000, You May Call Me Hal.

What are robocalls?

They are computerized calls that can be the least costly way to scam the unwary.

If you answer the phone and hear a recorded sales pitch, hang up and report it to the Federal Trade Commission at https://donotcall.gov/.

Don’t press 1 to speak to a person or to be taken off the list. That actually often tells the scammer’s computer to call you again.

There are ways to block various kinds of unwanted calls, depending on whether you are using a landline, mobile phone, VOIP. Learn more about how fro the Federal Trade Commission at https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-block-unwanted-calls

12 Days of Scams Day 10: Mass Market Consumer Scams

Are we getting better at avoiding scams?

The Federal Trade Commission’s 2017 mass market consumer fraud survey report, at https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/reports/mass-market-consumer-fraud-united-states-2017-update/p105502massmarketconsumerfraud2017report.pdf, found that 40 million U. S.adults were victims of various kinds of such fraud that year. That’s almost 16% of the adult population.

These surveys are done periodically, and the scams with attendant losses are increasing. Some even became double victims of scams since almost 62 million scam efforts were reported as successful.

Of the victims in the 2017 survey, 62% purchased fraudulent products via the internet. Always checking for the security lock on the line with the website address is a way to lower the effectiveness of the scam.

Fraudulent weight loss products and computer repairs were the top areas for scams. The fake weight loss products also had the most repeat victims.

12 Days of Scams Day 9: Heartbreaking Romance Scams

Romance in the air -- and on the internet. But so are the scams.

Complaints to the Federal Trade Commission about romance scams have risen significantly in recent years, as have the financial losses associated with them.

Learn more about the $143 million in reported losses during 2018 from such scams at https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2019/02/new-ftc-data-spotlight-details-big-jump-losses-complaints-about?utm_source=govdelivery

Those victims age 70 and over reported losing the most -- a median loss of $10,000. Ouch!

The scammers were able to make the victim feel important and were often viewed as the most compassionate and helpful person in their life. But the scammer also needed help with rent, car repairs, medical emergencies, transportation or family situations and didn’t hesitate to ask the victim for help.

As the victims learn, the scammers were not who they said they were. They use other people’s photos and fake identities. And they can pocket around $10,000 per older victim. That’s not romantic!