El Paso Retired Teachers Association

News March, 2015 Volume 1, Issue 5

Tax Ident i ty Theft (from Fraud Watch Network - AARP)

Tax identity theft, one of the fastest growing forms of theft in the United States, mostly occurs when your personal information is stolen for a fraudulent refund. More specifically, tax identity theft can involve: • filing a tax return using another person’s Social Security number, • claiming someone else’s children as dependents, or • claiming a tax refund using a deceased taxpayer’s information.

A typical identity theft starts when thieves (illegally) buy or steal information from individuals, employers, hospitals, nursing homes or other similar places. With a Social Security number or list of numbers, they file false tax returns. In one case investigators found a single address that was used to file 2,137 tax returns for $3.3 million in refunds.

What would tax identity theft look like to you? Often your first sign won’t come until after you’ve filed your return – when you receive a notice from the IRS that more than one return was filed for you. By that time, the scammer has pocketed the refund from the fraudulent return. To avoid tax identity theft, consider these tips: • Do mail tax returns as early in the tax season as possible before the cons beat you to it. • Don’t give out personal information unless you know who’s asking for it and why they need it. • Do shred personal and financial documents, • Do know your tax preparer. • Do check the status of your refund after filing at http://www.irs.gov/Refunds.

And, if you think someone used your Social Security number for a tax refund – or the IRS sends you a notice or letter indicating a problem – contact the IRS immediately (IRS Protection Specialized Unit: 800-908-4490; irs.gov/identitytheft). Specialists will work with you to get your tax return filed, get you any refund you are due, and protect your IRS account from identity thieves in the future.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Welcome to our busy winter schedule for the El Paso Retired Teachers Association. This is just a short reminder that your organization is as busy as ever planning for coming activities and preparing for our next membership year. Our annual Retirement Seminar is February 28. We invite all members to keep up with important issues involving our benefits in the legislature through TRTA, read your newsletter, attend our luncheons if possible, enjoy the fellowship of other retirees, and help EPRTA accomplish its goals for this year and into the next membership year. We invite you always to share your ideas, your talents and, most of all, your friendship. Once again, thank you for your continued support of the El Paso Retired Teachers Association. Pat Lally

EPRTA Luncheon Date  &  Time   -­‐  March    26,    2015  –  12:00  Noon  Program:                    -­‐  Historic  Magoffin  Home  Menu     -­‐  Salmon  Location   -­‐    Wyndham  Airport  Hotel  Cost     -­‐    $17.00  

Luncheon  Reservations  **The Wyndham requires that reservations be turned in on the Thursday before the meeting. For March 26, if you are not contacted for the meeting, please call Lila Murphy, 253-5792 by Tuesday, March 17. Also, if you make a reservation for the luncheon, and are unable to attend, you will be responsible for the payment to Nan Pollock, Treasurer, unless you cancel with Lila Murphy by Sunday, March 22.

Meal Choice Information For March 26, two (2) meals will be available. Those will be: (1) The regular meal, published in this newsletter. (2) A veggie plate that will also be gluten-free and dairy-free. There will be no guarantee that the salad or dessert will meet dietary needs. Please tell your caller if you wish the veggie plate when you make your reservation. Lila Murphy, Communication Chair, 253-5792.

                             

     

THE BOOK SHELF

Read a good book lately? Want to share? Need a new book to read? Bring your book to our luncheon. We have a book table where we share books. It is fun and good tips on good books are always plentiful.

In Memorium Velma Hunt

Estela Rodarte

Congratulations Jackie Morgan-Tomko

Our  March  Service  Activity    The  Children’s  Book  Project  

 The   idea   of   a   child   having   a   book   that  belongs   to   them   to   read   and   cherish  goes   to   the   heart   of   our   values   as  teachers.     EPRTA   has   joined   TRTA   in  supporting   the   Children’s   Book   Project  for  several  years.    As  a  result,  hundreds  of  books  have  been  given  to  students  in  the   El   Paso   area.     This   year,   we   are  encouraging   members   to   become  personally  involved  in  this  project.    Donating   a   book   for   an   elementary  school   child   is   our   community   service  activity   for  March.     Imagine  wandering  through  the  children’s  section  of  Barnes  and   Noble.     It’s   going   to   be   so   hard   to  choose   from   the   many   selections,   but  what   fun   it   will   be   to   find   that   special  book.   How   proud   you   will   be   as   you  place   it  with  the  other  children’s  books  at  the  luncheon.  

EPRTA Election of Officers – 2015-16 EPRTA leaders will be elected at the March luncheon meeting. Some of these officers will be accepting new duties as the newly adopted Bylaws comes into compliance with TRTA The nominating committee reports the following candidates for office: (Nominations are also allowed from the floor during the election.) President: Patricia Lally 1st Vice President: James Lamonica 2nd Vice President: Anna Bingham Secretary: Beverley Mueller Treasurer: Nanette Pollock

TRTA MEMBER BENEFITS – MARCH, 2015

GETO TRAVEL 877-867-3639 www.getravelop.com/amba Preview all of the “off season” travel-related programs. Up to 8 days/nights at a one-time cost of $349 (if reserved online) that covers up to 8 people. $369 if reserved by phone. Use TRTA Eligibility #755 AMBATravelPerx 800-480-4080 wwwambatravelperx.com Special offers are available on fantastic cruises, resorts, and escorted tour vacations to the Caribbean, Mexico, Panama Canal, Europe, Alaska, South America and Asia. La Quinta Inns & Suites 866-468-3946 www.lq.com Offers the Texas State rate which is up to 35% off and 15% off rates nationwide subject to availability. Use code “TRTA” for reservations. During certain times of the year, low occupancy may trigger lower rates. Use code “TXSTAT10” and receive 10% off a particular property’s best available rate. Drury Inn and Suites 800-378-7946 www.druryhotels.com Receive 5% off at Drury Inn & Suites (discounts are not available during “peak status”). Use the Corporate ID#311345 by phone or use BIZTrip Corporate ID#311435 online.

Car Rental Discounts: Avis Rent-A-Car 800-331-1212 Budget Rent-A-Car 800-527-0700 Enterprise Rent-A-Car 800-736-8227 *Always ask for Senior Discounts

For more information on Member Benefits Visit trta.org./member benefit

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El Paso Retired Teachers Association 5404 Vancouver El Paso, TX 79924-4019

NON-PROFIT ORG.

US POSTAGE PAID

EL PASO, TX PERMIT NO. 2182

TRTF  –  Scholarships  and  Grants  Reminder:     The   deadline   for   applications   for  Texas  Retired  Teacher  Foundation  scholarships  and   grants   is   March   12,   2015.     Forms   are  available  at  trtf.org.