THINGS TO BE AWARE OF AS 2010 CENSUS TO BEGIN
With The U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each Address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.
The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB Offers the following advice:
**If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice... Ask to see their identification and their Badge before answering their questions. However, you should NEVER invite anyone you don't know into your home.
**Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do NOT give Your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census.
REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR ADDRESS.
While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION. The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Any one asking for that information is NOT with The Census Bureau.
AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION. NO Acorn worker should approach you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau.
Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by E-mail, so be on the lookout for E-mail scams impersonating the Census. Never click on a link or open any attachments in an E-mail that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.
I received this information from the St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce on 3/15/10
Honor Flight
The Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to honor our nation's veteran's for their service and sacrifice. The veterans are flown to Washington D.C. to visit their monuments and to reflect on their memories. Priority is given to senior veterans from WWII and those veterans that are terminally ill. If you would like more information about the Honor Flight Network, click here.
If you are a south Florida veteran and would like to submit an application for an Honor Flight originating in south Florida, please click here to download the application.
VetsConnect
On Wednesday, March 3, 2010, Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink announced that a joint program between the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles will provide a new way for veterans to learn about benefits and services that may be available to them.
TCPalm.com
Russia's 65th Anniversary May 2010
If you were in Russia during WWII, you may be entitled to the Russian 65th Anniversary Medal. Please direct your requests to the following.
To get your Russian 65th Anniversary Medal, address your request with copy of DD-214 and your ship's names and dates to:
Your Excellency Sergey I. Kislyak
Ambassador of the Russian Federation in the USA
Russian Cultural Centre
1825 Phelps Place NW
Washington, D.C. 2008
Dear Sir:
I'd like to get the 65th Anniversary Russian Medal as I was on the __________________ (ship's name)
on ___________________ (dates) etc.
Veteran's Discounts at Lowe's
According to The Navy Times, home improvement retailer, Lowe's, will extend its 10% veterans discount to all day, every day for active-duty, National Guard and Reserve, retiree and disabled service members, and their families, company officials announced.
Those who want to receive the discount must present a valid military ID card.
All other military veterans will receive the 10 percent discount on the holiday weekends of Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Veterans Day.
For more information, click here.
GI Bill Telephone Hotline
The VA has announced the reopening of the GI Bill telephone hotline. The number is 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551). Starting February 17 the phone line is open from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM CST Monday through Friday. The VA says that improvements have been made.
When it first opened up there were tremendous delays and 90% of the calls never went through. Furthermore it was operating only three days a week. As a result numerous veterans neverwere able to speak to an education counselor.
2010 FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship for the Accredited Financial Counselor(r) Program
Applications for the 2010 FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship for the Accredited Financial Counselor(r) Program are being accepted March 1 - April 15, 2010 for military spouses.
Please pass this information on to any military spouses who may be interested in applying to be a 2010 FINRA Foundation Fellow to earn the AFC(r) certification.
For additional information about the program, click here.
