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SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2015
Beware of potential for tax identity fraud
Every two seconds, some-
one’s identity is stolen. And
with tax season upon us, con
artists are stealing Social
Security numbers to file for
fraudulent tax refunds.
To date, the IRS has identi-
fied around 15 million false tax
returns alone.
Here are some warning signs
that you may be a victim of tax
identity theft:
• If someone files a fraudu-
lent tax return using your iden-
tification, and then you file
your return, the IRS will con-
tact you by mail.
The letter will state that
more than one return was filed
using your Social Security
number. Note that the IRS will
not contact you by phone,
email, text or social media.
You can check the legitima-
cy of any IRS mailing by call-
ing 1-800-829-1040.
• You’ll also get an IRS
notice if someone uses your
Social Security number to get a
job, and the employer reports
that income to the IRS using
your number. The letter will
indicate that you did not report
all of your earnings on your tax
return.
• Receiving a W-2 or Form
1099 from an employer for
whom you didn’t work.
What to do if you fall victim
to tax identity fraud:
1. Contact the IRS immedi-
ately using the contact infor-
mation on the notice you
received. You'll be asked to fill
out an IRS Identity Theft affi-
davit, Form 14039.
2. Contact your bank and
credit card companies and
inform the credit bureaus of the
fraud.
3. Ask one credit bureau —
Experian, TransUnion or
Equifax — to place a free fraud
alert on your report, and the
others will follow. A fraud alert
lasts 90 days, but you can
renew it.
4. Access your credit report
free from all three credit
bureaus. Ask the bureau that
places your fraud alert how to
obtain your reports.
5. File an identity theft
report with the Federal Trade
Commission. This will help
you get fraudulent information
removed from your credit
report and stop companies
from trying to collect debts
related to fraudulent activity.
6. File a police report. Bring
the form you filed with the
FTC to the police.
It’s becoming ever more dif-
ficult to protect our identities,
but here are some steps you can
take to protect yourself and
your family:
• Monitor
your
credit
reports. You can order free
reports from all three credit
bureaus once a year at
www.annualcreditreport.com.
• Never give your Social
Security number or other per-
sonal information to phone
callers.
• If you file your tax return
electronically, be sure to use a
private, protected wireless net-
work. Filing your return from
the local coffee shop, library or
other public place is not a good
idea.
• Provide information to
your tax preparer in person;
avoid sending a fax that may
easily be seen by someone else.
• Shred papers that contain
sensitive personal information.
Hopefully, you will never
encounter any form of identity
theft. Make sure to protect your
personal information to the
best of your ability, and know
what to do if you’ve been vic-
timized.
Sign up for the Fraud Watch
Network at www.aarp.org/
FraudWatchNetwork to get the
latest information on ID theft
and scams.
Judy Roth to speak at
Friendship Club Thursday
Judy Roth of the Florence
Area Humane Society will be
the guest speaker at the
February meeting of the
Friendship Club, at Three
Rivers Casino and Hotel
tomorrow, at 10:45 a.m.
Reservations are required.
USIC
LIVE M 3th-
e 1
th
y
Frida
ebber is
Jacob W om
fr
Playing
6-9pm
On March 18, the club will
hold its postponed fundraising
luau. Tickets are $15 and all
proceeds benefit Florence
charities.
For more information, con-
tact Betty Fieldson at 541-997-
2842.
Valentine Specials
Prime Rib 14 oz cut....$17
Crab Encrusted Halibut.. $17
Seafood Alfredo w/ scallops, prawns & salmon...$16
All served with accompaniments and complimentary champagne and dessert.
Gift Certifi cates Available
Reservations recommended for Valentines Day.
1263 Bay St., Old Town Florence • 541-997-2800
Th e Barber Station
DJ Night
at
Ichiban
Lounge
February Specials
FOR MEN:
Come and play with us
Fri & Sat Nights • 9:30 pm - 2:30 am
Jason
WE
OFFER
BEARD !
ING
TRIMM
541-999-8632
Good Music, Good Food, Good Times
Teresa Lofy
tlofy@bmi.net
ICHIBAN LOUNGE
1179 Highway 101, Florence • 541-997-8868
$8.00 Buzz Cuts
$10.00 Short/Medium Cuts
FOR WOMEN:
Saturday Facial Waxing
($5.00 per area)
Hours: M-F 9am-6pm • Sat 9am-3pm
21st and Highway 101
(Diagonal from McDonald’s)
$35.00
FULL WAS
H,
WAX &
VACCUUM
Interior / Exterior Services available
RV Washing and Waxing
Licensed
Bonded
Insured
(541) 997-6977
(541) 999-0896
At Coastline Mobile detailing, we offer
honest, quality services and the convenience
that eliminates the need to leave your
vehicle at a business location. We happily
come to you!
P.O. Box 31,000
Call Alex to set up an appointment.
541-285-4575
or visit our website at
www.coastlinedetail.com
P.O. Box 31,000 • Florence, OR 97439
FLORENCE
HOT DEALS..................Save 33%-50% off !!!
2285 Highway 101 • Florence, OR 97439
(541) 997-8866
★ Twin pack Sawhorses (00936279) ................................................$12.49
★ Craftsman 100 pc drilling and driving accessory kit
(00931639) ......................................................................................$14.99
★ Craftsman 17 pc screwdriver set (00931794) ...............................$19.99
★ Craftsman 35 LED rechargeable work light (03473904) ...............$19.99
★ Craftsman 26 pc wrench set (00946935/6) ...................................$39.99
★ DieHard 50A shelf battery charger and engine starter (02871322)
....................................................................................................$49.99
★ Craftsman 12 pc 1/2-in. deep impact socket set (00915886/7)
....................................................................................................$49.99
★ Craftsman C3 19.2-volt lithium-ion 3/8-in. drill/driver kit (00945200)
....................................................................................................$59.99
685-A Hwy. 101
541-997-3273
POTTER’S TIRE
& AUTOMOTIVE
4515 Hwy. 101 N., Florence
541- 997-5049
Paul & Kelly Potter, Owners
Paul Potter
Owner
Our goal is not only to provide you with quality automotive repair
and services, but to make your visit as convenient and as comfort-
able as possible.
We offer complete automotive service and repair including: rou-
tine factory maintenance, brakes, clutches, alignments, tune-ups,
exhaust, electrical repair, air conditioning service, computer-
ized diagnostic repair, tires and custom wheels.
Your complete automotive needs are met right here!
Let me Showcase your property.
Desiree Johnson
Principal Broker
541 999-5223
9202 Phey Ln – Enjoy Siuslaw Riverfront living in
this 2963 sq. ft. custom home. This 3 bdrm, 3 bath
home is located in a gated community for added
security. Registered boat house, RV barn and 2-
car garage on 1.17 acres. Extensive amenities list
available. $689,000. #2249-13544935
1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200
541-997-2422
Savings offer expires February 21, 2015
For details, check our website at
www.fraaoregon.org
ONGOING CLASSES
FRAA ART CENTER
OIL PAINTING
Wednesday
2-5pm
Munsel Lake Plaza
(just north of Fred Meyer)
Hours Open: Tues-Friday - Noon to 4:00 p.m.
Phone: 541-999-0859
1
8
2
9
3
4
• 2-5pm
Oil painting
w/Michael
Wood
5
• 10am-noon
Beginning
Knitting
6
7
• 9am-12pm
Oil painting w/
John Leasure
10
• 2-3pm
Demo:
Zentagle
11
• 2-5pm
Oil painting
w/Michael
Wood
12
• 1-3pm
Introduction to
Zentangle
Version 2
13
• 4-6pm
Speakeasy:
Poetry as a
Soul Food A
Comm. Feast
14
• 9am-12pm
Oil painting w/
John Leasure
• 3-5 2nd Sat.
Gallery Tour
15
16
17
• 2-4pm
Bead Weaving
Bracelet
18
• 2-5pm
Oil painting
w/Michael
Wood
19
20
21
• 9am-12pm
Oil painting w/
John Leasure
22
23
24
25
2-5pm
Oil painting
w/Michael
Wood
26
• 1-3pm Th e
Shady side of
Zentangle
27
• 4-6pm
Speakeasy:
Inspiration
What Inspires
You
28
• 9am-12pm
Oil painting w/
John Leasure
• 2-pm Demo:
Watercolor vs.
Acrylic
Michael Wood
Contact at fmwood@msn.com
OIL PAINTING
Saturday
9am-12pm
John Leasure
Contact at 541-991-2754
FREE EVENTS
THIS MONTH:
Feb. 10 –
Zentangle Demo
Feb. 13- SpeakEasy-
“Poetry As Soul
Food”
Feb. 27 – SpeakEasy –
“Inspiration”
Feb. 28 - Demo:
Watercolor versus
Acrylics- A
Comparison