Top 12 IRS Scams; Local Resident Receives Scam Call Tuesday
They’re at it again… a KSST listener called to say that his elderly neighbor was almost the victim of a scam that involved false information and an individual purported to be an IRS representative. Thanks to the caller, a former member of law enforcement, the neighbor was informed that he was being scammed.
The call from one stating they were with the IRS demanded the elderly man get a money card and pay money owed. The neighbor had been asked by the man to take him to a place where he could purchase the card. The neighbor called the number given the man and confirmed his suspicion that it was a scam.
Remember, the IRS will not call and demand money unless they have already contacted you by mail with several mailings, including certified mail. If you receive a call requesting you to pay immediately, hang up.
Each year, the IRS releases the top 12 scams, known as the Dirty Dozen. The schemes range from simple refund inflation to technical tax shelter deals.
Here’s a review of this year’s Dirty Dozen:
1.Phishing: Taxpayers should watch for fake emails or websites looking to steal personal information.
2.Phone Scams: Phone calls from criminals impersonating IRS agents remain an ongoing threat to taxpayers.
3.Identity Theft: Taxpayers should be alert to tactics aimed at stealing their identities.
4.Return Preparer Fraud: Most tax professionals provide honest, high-quality service. However, there are some dishonest preparers who scam clients.
5.Fake Charities: Groups masquerading as charitable organizations solicit donations from unsuspecting contributors.
6.Inflated Refund Claims: Taxpayers should be wary of anyone promising inflated tax refunds.
7.Excessive Claims for Business Credits: Taxpayers should avoid improperly claiming the fuel tax credit.
8.Falsely Padding Deductions on Returns: Taxpayers should avoid the temptation to falsely inflate deductions or expenses on their tax returns.
9.Falsifying Income to Claim Credits: Con artists may convince taxpayers to invent income to erroneously qualify for tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit.
10.Frivolous Tax Arguments: Some taxpayers use frivolous tax arguments to avoid paying tax.
11.Abusive Tax Shelters: Taxpayers who use abusive tax structures do so to avoid paying taxes.
12.Offshore Tax Avoidance: It’s a bad bet to hide money and income offshore.
Winnsboro Police Department Report July 23-29, 2018
Six arrests, 165 calls for service answered, 64 citations issued, and 63 warnings written were reported by the Winnsboro Police Department during the July 23-29, 2018 report period.
Charles Carroll, 58, of Winnsboro, was arrested July 23rd on a Wood County Warrant.
Raymond Murphy, 54, of Winnsboro, was arrested July 23rd for Public Intoxication.
Devin R. Humphries, 32, of Winnsboro, was arrested July 25th on a Winnsboro Municipal Warrant.
Kenny Hss, 39, of Winnsboro, was arrested July 25th for Driving While License Invalid.
Lana Chance, 46, of Quitman, was arrested July 26th on a Wood County Warrant.
Amanda Williams, 28, of Azle, was arrested July 28th on a Winnsboro Municipal Warrant.
There were no accidents to report.
Sulphur Springs Seniors Center Offers Donated Dog Food Supplies to Local Srs
According to Karon Weatherman, local senior citizens who are dog owners can take advantage of donated dog food supplies today. Just go by the Senior Center at 150 MLK Drive in Sulphur Springs and pick up a bag. There are several varieties. Operation Kindness was the donor, and Roy Singleton delivered it.
PJC-Sulphur Springs Welding Program
HOT JOB Third semester welding student Cody Sutton of Brasher receives some pointers from Instructor John Plemons as he works on his skills in a recent class. Call the campus at 903-885-1232 to learn more about the welding program and to register for fall classes.
Twenty Warrants for Tampering with Government Document and Credit Card Abuse Issued for Part-Time Clerk in Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 Office
According to a press release from Justice of the Peace B. J. Teer’s office, over Twenty Warrants for Tampering with Government Document by Public Servant and Credit Card Abuse have been issued for Lettie Delores Mosqueda Jasso, a former Part Time Clerk in the Hopkins County Justice of the Peace Office Pct 1.
The charges are result from a regular internal office audit of court records. After discrepancies and complaint from an individual, the cases were turned over to the Texas Rangers.
JP Teer said, “Our Clerks are held to a high standard, we live in a glass house. We are cooperating with the Texas Rangers. We want to see that everything is handled in the right way and taken care of. No other comment at this time cause of the continue investigation by the Texas Rangers. Jassco is considered a flight risk.”
No arrest has been made as of Monday afternoon.
texas flag courthouse
Blue Blazes Drill Team Begin 2018-2019 Practice
The fifty-seventh line of the Blue Blazes Drill Team had their first practice for this school year Monday morning (July 30) in the high school cafeteria. Drill team Director Christie McCullough said the practice would be a brief one since the Blue Blazes would be packing up and traveling to camp later Monday.
The Blue Blazes first practice was spent stretching and then working on their high kick technique. Ms. McCullough said the camp is one they began having years ago with Joshua. What started out with the two schools has now expanded to a nine-school camp. Ms. McCullough said the camp offers the camp experience with exposure to other schools but also has private sessions that focus just on the Blue Blazes. She said the Blazes would learn most of their football season routines plus pep rally and pregame routines. Ms. McCullough said besides all the learning, the Blazes would also have time for bonding and for fun. The camp will end on Thursday.
Ms McCullough is beginning her thirteenth year in Sulphur Springs and she said she is excited about the coming year.
SSISD Tennis Camp Start Delayed Until Tuesday
The first day of the SSISD Tennis Camp was rained out Monday (July 30). Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez said the four-day camp will now be held Tuesday through Friday at the Wildcat Tennis Complex. Coach Martinez said anticipating the rain, lots of the parents of campers were told about the possible change in schedule.
Camp for boys and girls from kindergarten through fifth grade will take place from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. A camp for youngsters middle school and high school ages will take place from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Camp instructors include a graduate of Sul Ross who will be a Sul Ross assistant coach this fall. Another is a former college player who is now an assistant at Tyler Lee.
Wildcat Season Ticket Sales Underway
Monday (July 30) marked the first day that Wildcats’ football season ticket holders could renew their season tickets. Season ticket week coordinator Lynette King said fans came in to the high school Media Center at a steady rate Monday morning after a slow start due to a thunderstorm.
She said lots of people came in early last year due to new seating at a renovated Gerald Prim Stadium. Ms. King said people now know about their seat location. Fans that wish to remain season ticket holders must renew their seats Monday or Tuesday. Those that don’t renew their tickets by 5:30 p.m. Tuesday will lose their tickets.
Ticket holders that renew their tickets Monday and Tuesday can seek upgrades on Wednesday.
Tickets that remain will go on sale to the general public Thursday and Friday. The activity on Friday will end at noon.
2018 Senior Prom Followed the Yellow Brick Road to Priceless Memories, Growth in Building Fund
The much-anticipated 2018 Seniors Prom was fun for all and blessed with talent, a host of volunteers and numerous sponsors which assured a memorable evening. For the 100 attendees, there were celebrity photos, lots of prizes, a dinner amidst theme decor, naming of Prom King and Prom Queen, and special entertainment by the Senior Entertainment Group.
The dinner menu consisted of Chicken Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Providence Vegetables, Corn, Roll, Apple Cobbler and Homemade Ice Cream prepared and served by James Weatherman, Tammy Templeton, Celia Templeton, Tiffany Jones, Stephen Jones and Pamela Johnson
2018 Ms. Hopkins County Senior Mary Ivey (left) with Prom King Charles Hill and Prom Queen Dana Mericle
L. to R. Al Bass, Gene Crist, Patsy Crist, Nancy Bolton, Karon Weatherman, Lavonne Elam, Betty Holden, Deana Hasten and Vender Wright.
After dinner, Mary Ivey, 2018 Ms Hopkins County Senior crowned the 2018 Prom King and Queen Charles Hill and Dana Mericle. Following more fun and games, it was time to be seated for the entertainment program by the local Senior Entertainment Group. With the theme of “The Wizard of Oz”, a 25 minute skit which was a condensed version of the classic movie starred Lavonne Elam as Dorothy,Patsy Crist as Scarecrow, Deana Hasten as Tin Man, Nancy Bolton as Glenda the Good Witch, Betty Holden as Cowardly Lion, Vender Wright as The Great and Powerful Oz, Karon Weatherman as the Wicked Witch of the West , Al Bass as Narrator and Gene Crist as Sound Man.
You can watch at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awMupj7AKQU
The Senior Entertainment group also made and donated 5 Beautiful Gift
Baskets which were raffled off during the Prom. All Proceeds were donated to the
Senior Citizens Building Fund. The Raffle Baskets raised $ 531.00. The Senior Citizens Building Fund now stands at $38,630.
Prom Sponsors were Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home, Caring Transitions of Nor Tex, Sulphur Springs Health and Rehab., Clear Captions, Caring Hearts Hospice and United Health Care.
United Health Care took photos of everyone as they came in and printed and framed
them to hand out before they went home.
Some of the door prizes were donated by some of the Hopkins County Marketers Association. Almost everyone went home with a Door Prize.
Volunteer Hillis Bass painted and made all of the wall and table decorations
According to Karon Weatherman, Senior Citizens Center Director, local seniors are encouraged to make plans now to attend the 2019 Prom next summer!
