Warnings and Scams

June 26, 2009 at 1:50 pm | In Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
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This is a real Virus!

From Snopes.com: http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/ups.asp

The newest virus circulating is the ‘UPS Delivery Failure’. You will
receive an email from UPS Packet Service along with a packet number. 
It will say that they were un-able to deliver a package sent to you on such and such a date.
It then asks you to print out the invoice copy attached. DON’T TRY TO PRINT THIS.
IT LAUNCHES THE VIRUS! Pass this warning on to all your PC operators at
work and home. This virus has caused Millions of dollars in damage in the past few days. 

Reminder regarding the National Do-Not Call Registry

June 23, 2009 at 9:45 am | In Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
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From the Do-Not Call website: https://www.donotcall.gov/

You have a choice about receiving telemarketing calls at home. <u>Most telemarketers</u> should not call your number once it’s been on the Do-Not-Call registry for 31 days. If they do you can file a complaint at the above website. You can register your home or mobile phone for free.

The other good news, in that they have come a long way since it’s inception. Now your registrationwill not expire. Numbers placed on the registry will remain permanently due to the Do-Not-Call Improvement Act of 2007, which became law in February 2008. You can read more about it at: http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2008/04/dncfyi.shtm.

Don’t Eat Nestle’ Toll House Cookie Dough

June 22, 2009 at 8:27 am | In Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
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Throw it away! The FDA warns there is a risk of E. Coli contamination. This is the strand that causes food borne illness. Which include: abdominal cramping, vomiting, and diarrhea, often with blood stools. Healthy adults can recover within a week, but, young children and the elderly are at higher risk of developing a complication called Hemolytic Uremmic Syndrome (HUS) that can lean to serious kidney damage and even death.

The FDA advises that you not eat the raw dough, but also should not cook it because the bacteria may spread on cooking surfaces the your hands. As of March 2009, there have been 66 reports of illness across 28 states. Twenty-five people have been hospitalized with HUS.

If you have recently eaten refrigerated Toll House cookie dough and have experienced any of the above symptoms, contact your doctor or health care provider immediately as well as reporting any such illness to state or local health authorities.

New Workers: Know Your Number

June 15, 2009 at 2:50 pm | In Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
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By Ken Hess

Social Security Public Affairs Specialist for Wisconsin

 Summer is approaching, and millions of high school and college students will be searching for jobs.  The jobs will be as diverse as the people applying for them, but one thing will be the same in all cases:  the employer will need to know your Social Security number.

Don’t know where your card is?  That’s all right — there is no need to apply for a new one.  The most important thing is simply to know your number.  You do need to make sure that the Social Security number you provide is correct, because it will be used to keep track of your earnings and will directly affect your future benefits.  Here’s why. 

By law, employers must withhold from a worker’s paycheck Social Security taxes at the rate of 6.2 percent of gross pay.  In addition, a Medicare payroll tax of 1.45 percent of pay must be withheld.  The amounts you pay in Social Security and Medicare taxes are matched by your employer.  Usually the money that is withheld is referred to as “Social Security taxes” on the employee’s payroll statement.  Sometimes the deduction is labeled as “FICA taxes” which stands for Federal Insurance Contributions Act.  As a young worker, you might find that Social Security taxes are actually more than state or federal income tax.  So let us tell you how that money is being used, and what’s in it for you. 

 The taxes paid now translate to a lifetime of protection, whether you retire or become disabled.  And in the event that you die young, your family may be able to receive survivors benefits based on your work.  Today you probably have family members — grandparents, for example — who already enjoy Social Security benefits which your Social Security taxes help provide.

 Because you’re a long way from retirement, you may find it hard to appreciate the value of benefits that could be 40 or 50 years away.  But you should know that your Social Security could pay off sooner than you think.  Social Security provides valuable disability benefits — and studies show that a 20-year-old has about a three in 10 chance of becoming disabled sometime before reaching retirement age.

 Another bit of helpful advice for young workers:  if you’re offered a job “under the table” or “off the books,” think twice.  The person offering it will likely tout the benefits of not paying taxes.  But they’re the only ones benefiting because they don’t have to pay their half of your Social Security tax.  In the end, you’re being cheated out of your future benefits when you don’t pay taxes on your earnings.

 In closing, know your number, but don’t carry your Social Security card around with you.  It’s an important document that needs to be safeguarded and protected.  You should keep it safely at home, in a safe deposit box or wherever you keep your important paperwork, like your birth certificate and personal information.  If you haven’t already, make it your summer homework assignment to memorize your number.  After all, you’ll be using it for a lifetime.

 If you have questions about Social Security, the best place to go is online — to www.socialsecurity.gov.

 Ken Hess is the Public Affairs Specialist for Northern Wisconsin.  You can contact Ken at 1619 Golden Court, Marinette, Wisconsin 54143 or via email at kenneth.hess@ssa.gov 

The switch to digital is done, but you have no TV reception?

June 15, 2009 at 9:34 am | In Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
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June 12 and the switch to digital has taken place and you have your converter box but no tv.. What is up with that?

If you have your DTV converter box installed and it isn’t working, you might have to ‘rescan’ your channels. This sort of ‘locks’ them in and aligns them with the proper bandwidth now that final conversion has taken place. (It helps to think of it as analog signals were very broad bands whereas digital is a finer, more narrow, pinpointed bandwidth.)

You can find more help with this process at http://www.dtv.gov/.

You can use your remote for your television for three things: 1.) turning on the TV 2.) Turning off the TV 3.) Turning it to channel 3 or 4 whichever your converter box suggests.

If you are like me, you have at least two remotes, so you might want to mark the remote for the converter box with a piece of tape or something so you can tell which is the one that scans for and changes channels.

Just a Reminder – June 12

June 10, 2009 at 9:17 am | In Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
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June 12 is the deadline for analog TV so if you are either: signed up for cable or satellite television or have a converter box you will still be able to watch your favorite television programs. If not, well, you won’t be able to watch them.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: June 15

June 9, 2009 at 9:14 am | In Uncategorized | 2 Comments
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Wear something Purple in recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD)

Fact Sheet on Elder Abuse:

http://www.inpea.net/images/Elder_Abuse_Fact_Sheet.pdf (Opens in a new window)

If you witness this crime call our office to report it: 920-834-7707 or in Wisconsin 800-649-6568

To read about the International Network for the Prevention of Elder abuse: http://www.inpea.net/home.html

They’ve Served Us; Let Us Serve Them

June 9, 2009 at 8:05 am | In Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
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 By Ken Hess

Social Security Public Affairs Specialist for Wisconsin

 It’s customary to honor the men and women of the Armed Forces each Memorial Day — especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.  May also is National Military Appreciation Month, a great time to let members of the military know how much we value what they are doing for us and our country.

 Serving the military is nothing new for Social Security.  People in the Armed Forces have been covered under Social Security since 1957.  Even people in the service before 1957 may receive special credit for some of their service.  People in the military are covered for the same survivors, disability and retirement benefits as everyone else who pays into Social Security.

 A person’s Social Security benefit depends on earnings, averaged over a lifetime.  The same is true for members of the military.  Generally, the higher your earnings, the higher your Social Security benefit.  Under certain circumstances, special earnings can be credited to one’s military pay record for Social Security purposes.  The extra earnings are for periods of active duty or active duty for training and may help someone qualify for Social Security or increase the amount of Social Security benefits.  If you qualify for extra earnings, Social Security will add them to your earnings record when you file for benefits.

 For today’s military service members who have been wounded and need to apply for disability benefits, it’s important to know that you will receive expedited processing.  The expedited process is for military service members who become disabled while on active duty on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability begins.  Depending on the situation, some family members of military personnel may be able to receive benefits, including dependent children and, in some cases, spouses.  Learn more about it at www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors.  Please pay special attention to the fact sheets available on that website titled Disability Benefits for Wounded Warriors and Expediting Disability Applications for Wounded Warriors.

 You’ll also find links on the Social Security Wounded Warrior page to useful VA and Medicare websites.

 To learn more about Social Security for people who have served in the military, read a copy of our publication, Military Service and Social Security.  You can find it online at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10017.html, or call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to ask for a free copy to be mailed to you.

 The men and women of the Armed Forces serve us each and every day.  At Social Security, we’re here to serve them too.

 Ken Hess is the Public Affairs Specialist for Northern Wisconsin.  You can contact Ken at 1619 Golden Court, Marinette, Wisconsin 54143 or via email at kenneth.hess@ssa.gov

How Will You Spend Your Recovery Payment?

June 5, 2009 at 12:43 pm | In Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
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By Ken Hess

Social Security Public Affairs Specialist for Wisconsin

Do you receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits?  If so, you’re likely receiving a special, one-time recovery payment this month.  The recovery payment is $250.  More than 50 million beneficiaries will receive more than $13 billion in recovery payments in May.

Let’s go over the basic facts so you understand how the payment is being made.  

The payment is automatic; no action is required on your part;

  • The payment is a direct result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 passed by Congress and signed by President Obama in February 2009;
  • Your one-time economic recovery payment will arrive separately from your Social Security or SSI benefit; it will not be included with your monthly benefit payment; and
  • There are no requests to make, no applications to complete and no fees to pay.

To assist in processing the payments as efficiently as possible, please do not contact Social Security — unless you have not received your payment by June 4.  More information is available at www.socialsecurity.gov and will be updated as needed.

If anyone contacts you asking for your personal information or for a fee to help you get your payment, it’s probably a scam.  If you’re unsure about the identity of someone claiming to be a Social Security employee, hang up and call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to verify the call.  You may report suspicious activity involving Social Security programs and operations to the Social Security Fraud Hotline website at www.socialsecurity.gov/oig/hotline or call 1-800-269-0271 (TTY 1-866-501-2101).

 So, how do you plan to use your extra $250 this month?  Visitors to Social Security’s website have been telling us their plans.  Here is some of what they’ve shared:

  • “My car needs to have all four tires replaced.”
  • “Get my kids spring and summer clothes.”
  • “I will take a trip to see my grandchildren.”
  • “Pay for a class at college.”
  • “Replace air conditioner.”

 To learn more about Social Security and the recovery payments, or to share your plans for your recovery payment, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/payment.

 To learn more about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, visit www.recovery.gov.

 Ken Hess is the Public Affairs Specialist for Northern Wisconsin.  You can contact Ken at 1619 Golden Court, Marinette, Wisconsin 54143 or via email at kenneth.hess@ssa.gov

Don’t Be Scammed When It Comes To Your Economic Recovery Payment

May 20, 2009 at 1:47 pm | In Uncategorized | 2 Comments
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By Ken Hess

Social Security Public Affairs Specialist for Wisconsin

 No one wants to be the target of a scam. 

If you’re receiving Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, don’t let anyone fool you regarding your special one-time recovery payment of $250 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. 

To make sure no one does, we’ll state this as clearly as possible:

  • All Social Security and SSI beneficiaries who are eligible for the special one-time recovery payment will have their payment issued in May;
  • The payment is automatic; no action is required on your part; and
  • There are no requests to make, no applications to complete and no fees to pay.

If you receive a visit, call or email from anyone claiming to want to help you obtain your payment, be skeptical.  Do not pay anyone to help you receive your payment.  And do not reveal any of your personal information to them, such as your full name, date of birth, or Social Security number.  If someone requests this information for this purpose, it’s more likely they’re “out to get you” than out to get your payment for you.

In addition to people who receive Social Security and SSI benefits, people who receive benefits from Veterans Affairs and the Railroad Retirement Board will receive one-time payments of $250.  Note, however, that only one payment of $250 will be made per person, regardless of any combination of benefits that may be received.

 How will your recovery payment be made?  The same way that your regular monthly payments are made.  People with direct deposit will receive their payments electronically.  Those who receive paper checks will receive their payments in the mail.  People who receive regular payments through the new Direct Express debit card will receive their one-time payments through the card.  We will send your one-time payment separately from your Social Security or SSI benefit.

To assist in processing the payments as efficiently as possible, please do not contact Social Security — unless you have not received your payment by June 4.  More information is available at www.socialsecurity.gov/payment and will be updated as needed.

Rest assured that your special one-time recovery payment will be sent to you automatically.  And if it’s not received by June 4, there’s only one place you need to contact:  Social Security, at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or at your local office.

To learn more about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, visit www.recovery.gov.

 To learn more about Social Security, visit www.socialsecurity.gov.

 Ken Hess is the Public Affairs Specialist for Northern Wisconsin.  You can contact Ken at 1619 Golden Court, Marinette, Wisconsin 54143 or via email at kenneth.hess@ssa.gov 

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