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Show Volume I , Issue IX Page 3 The Ogden Valley News June 1999 FRAUD (cont.) from page 1 What can you do to protect yourself from identify fraud? The Law Enforcement Report had many helpful suggestions: Report credit card fraud to the three major credit reporting bureaus: TRW at 800-301-7195, Equifax at 800-5256285 and TransUnion at 800-680-7289. If you’ve had checks stolen or bank accounts set up fraudulently in your name, call these check guarantee companies: Telecheck at 800-3662425; and the National Processing Company at 800-526-5380. They can flag your file so that counterfeit checks will be refused. If your social security number was used fraudulently, report the problem to the Social Security Administration’s Fraud Hotline at 800-269-0271. In extreme cases of fraud, it may be possible for you to get a new SSN. Woe be to the Woad Compiled by Shanna Francis Spring is so beautiful in the Valley, especially with all of those beautiful tall yellow flowers blanketing many fields, greeting those who drive by at the edge of the road ways, and cropping up in patches of turned over soil here and there . . . and there, and there, and there! No, I’m not talking about dandelions, but dyers woad. And though it may look lovely to some, its presence is an economic nightmare for others. A non-native plant, dyers woad comes from the Old World. It was originally cultivated for its leaves that produce a blue dye (this is where the word “dyers” came from). According to information obtained form the USU Extension Office, “Dyers woad . . . is a serious problem in the northern most counties along the Wasatch range. In Cache, Box Elder, and Rich Counties alone it has been estimated that two million dollars a year are lost in reduced crop yields and range production. The number of acres infested is increasing at an alarming rate and has doubled in the last ten years.” Property owners can do their part to eradicate the plant and to prevent its rapid spread by destroying the hardy plants before they go to seed in the fall. According to the Extension Service, “Dyers woad can be controlled effectively by rogueing or hand pulling. This is especially true in areas that are just now being invaded or where plants are scattered. Simply cutting them off probably won’t do the job as the plant has the ability to send out new shoots if it is cut off near the ground. It is important to pull the plant’s before they go to seed. The importance of hand rogueing cannot be over emphasized. It is one sure way of guaranteeing 100 percent control in an area. Rogueing needs to be done, however, two to three times each year for two to three years.” Be persistent and don’t give up on pulling out that yellow flowering weed whenever you come upon the dastardly mustard. It is a matter of economic survival for many. Valley residents are encouraged to do their part. Dyers woad can also be controlled through cultivation. For more information, contact the Utah State University Extension Office at (801) 627-3270. If fraudulent charges appear on your account, call the Consumer Credit Counseling Service at 800-388-2227 for help in clearing false claims from your credit report. If you’re a victim of identity theft that involves the U.S. Mail, call your nearest Postal Inspection Service office. If you think you’re a victim of fraud, call your credit card issuers to close or “flag” your accounts, and call your bank to put an alert on your checking accounts. PETERSON BUILDERS INVITES YOU TO Empty your wallet of extra credit cards (and IDs). Better yet, cancel the ones you don’t really use and keep a list of the ones you do use. and your chance to win an infamous Beanie Baby!!! Never give out personal information over the phone, such as your date of birth, mother’s maiden name, credit card number, social security number or bank PIN code, except to someone you know or an established firm. FREE ICE CREAM COME SEE OUR HOME FEATURED IN THE 1999 PARADE OF HOMES Shred pre-approved credit applications, credit card receipts, bills and other financial information you don’t want before tossing them in the trash. Financial institutions or businesses that handle personal information should protect customers’ privacy by storing such material securely and ensuring it has limited access. It is essential to shred such material before disposing of it. Consider removing your name from the marketing lists of the three major credit reporting bureaus: TRW at 800353-0809, Equifax at 800-219-1251 and TransUnion at 800-241-2858. This reduces the number of pre-approved applications you receive in the mail. Order your credit report once a year to check for accuracy or fraudulent use. If you have been, or do become a victim of credit card fraud, you can call Postal Inspectors in Utah at 801-9742271. There are six Postal Inspectors covering the State of Utah. They are authorized to carry firearms, make felony arrests, and serve federal search warrants and subpoenas. They work closely with United States Attorneys, and state, county and local authorities in prosecuting cases in court. 4575 North 3150 East, Liberty, Utah Bailey Acres Come Visit Ogden Valley’s Parade Home and receive a coupon for a free Snelgrove Ice Cream from the Eden General Store, and enter to win an infamous Beanie Baby!!! Tickets are available on location at all Parade Homes, Smith’s, RC Willey (Riverdale & Syracuse) and Bowman’s Market. Hours: Monday - Friday 2:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Saturday - Sunday 10: a.m. - 8:30 p.m. Cost: $7 adults, $6 child/seniors June 18th - 27th For more information, contact Peterson Builders, at (801) 745-3573. |
