The North Texas Journal v23n31

8/9/2019 The North Texas Journal v23n31

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WEEKLY Volume 23, Number 31 - August 6, 20


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In This Issue


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Identity Theft Prevention Tips For CollegKids Heading Back To Campus

Getting their dorm room organized, reconnecting with

riends they met last year, making new friends, setting

up a class schedule ... college students have a lot to

ook forward to as they head back to campus. Iden-

ty thieves eagerly anticipate back-to-school time too,

because it often meansmore opportunity for

hem to purloin some-

ones private, personal

nformation for their -nancial gain.

College students may

not perceive themselves

as being at risk from

dentity thieves or need-

ng identity theft protec-on. After all, most of

hem dont have much

money (so not much to

steal) and theyre pretty

ech savvy about online

security.

Those very qualities,

however, leave them

at higher risk of be-

ng targeted by identity

hieves, who know how

o take advantage of col-

ege kids lack of credit

history and use of online

media. Whats more,

college students who

eel secure because

heyre tech savvy may

not be aware that a lot

of identity theft still oc-curs in traditional ways, like going through someones

rash, mail or dorm room to steal identifying informa-

on.

Several factors make college students ideal targets

or identity thieves, including:

Lack of a credit history - Its easier to steal some-

ones identity and establish a credit account if that

person has little or no credit history of their own.

* Use of online social media - Tech-savvy college

may not realize just how much of their persona

formation identity thieves can cull from online so

networking sites.

* Dorm/communal liv

settings - College d

rooms and apartme

may be accessed by

huge number of people

ery month, many of wh

the student wont know

all. Its difcult to maina secure environmen

such a living arrangem

* Easy access to credit

plications - Anyone wh

ever been on campus

seen the tables, boo

and kiosks set up to

cilitate credit card app

tions by students. C

pleted applications

rarely secure through

the day, making it easy

identity thieves to get t

hands on important ide

fying information.

* Laissez-faire attitud

Nearly half of stude

polled in a survey by

pulse Research said t

receive frequent cr

card applications, andpercent of those students throw away those ap

cations intact, with all their personal information

on it and easily accessible, according to the web

Scambusters.org. The survey also showed that ne

30 percent of students ignore their checking and cr

it card balances, the site reports.

To prevent identity theft, college students should

low some simple steps:


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Never keep identifying nancial information likePIN or account numbers, or important documents

ke Social Security cards and birth certicates un-secured in dorm rooms or apartments. Dont carry

anything more in your wallet or purse than you ab-

solutely need, such as your drivers license, student

D and one credit or debit card. And never loan any

of these items to anyone else, no matter how good

a friend they seem to be.

Be wary when ordering clothes, books, movies

and merchandise online and only do business with

sites that have the security lock symbol that shows

heyre taking measures to protect your information.

Shred credit card offers before throwing them

away and never complete a credit card application

at an on-campus table or booth - even if theyre of-

ering a cool free T-shirt just for applying. Instead,

go through the credit card companys secure web-

site, or contact your bank for a credit card before

you get to school.

* Be aware of whos around you when youre us

your cell phone or netbook on campus, and ne

discuss or send personal information in public t

could be used to steal your identity.

* Establish an identity theft protection account

fore you head back to school. Sites like Protect

ID.com monitor your credit reports daily and s

you an e-mail, text message or mail alert wh

ever something changes on your account, likeaddress or an application for a new line of cre

If your identity is compromised, ProtectMyIDs

perienced fraud resolution agents can help reso

issues. Whats more, the program protects aga

the sale of your Social Security or account numb

online by using Internet scanning to detect the

of your personal numbers online.

You can learn more about identity theft and ho

affects college students, as well as how to prev

it, at www.ed.gov, the U.S. Department of Edu

tions website.


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How Safe Is Your Debit Card?ARA) - Many people choose to use a debit card over

a credit card or cash because its more convenient,

but did you know it can also protect you from theft and

help you better manage your money? Knowing more

about your debit cards features will help you get the

most out of your banking relationship.

Today, debit cards come with many built-in security

eatures. Having your

photo on your card

makes it harder for oth-

ers to use it if its lost

or stolen because mer-

chants can easily iden-

fy that the card belongs

o you. Fraud monitoring

eviews how and where

your card is being used

and helps to block po-

ential fraud if unusual

patterns are detected.

Check to see if your

bank offers these fea-

ures and reimburses

you for purchases you didnt make. Make sure, espe-

cially if youre shopping online or traveling, that your

bank will protect you when you need it most. Bank of

America reimburses its customers for fraudulent cardransactions. Its debit card protection comes automat-

cally as a feature for all customers.

We want our customers to be 100 percent condthat were doing everything we can to protect their

counts from fraud and theft, says David Owen, B

of America Payments and Products executive. Us

a debit card securely should be hassle-free, and e

simple things like adding a photo ID to your card

make a big difference.

You should also kn

what fees your bank m

charge and how you

avoid them. Some peo

run into trouble by us

their debit card when t

do not have enough fu

in their account to mak

purchase. This simple m

take can lead to unexp

ed bank fees that qui

add up. See if your b

offers online banking,

ance alerts, text or mo

banking to help you s

in control of your nanon the go. These tools let you transfer funds betw

accounts, pay bills, and check your balance wh

ever and wherever you choose. Knowing how m

money is in your account or transferring funds wyour balance is low will help you avoid unexpec

overdraft fees on your debit card.

New regulations are requiring some banks to cha

their overdraft fee policies, which could affect h

you manage your nances. Make sure you know hyour bank handles debit card transactions when

dont have enough money in your checking acco

No one likes to nd out that a $4 cup of coffee c$40 because you didnt realize the purchase wo

overdraw your account.

Some banks are taking steps to help. Bank of Am

ica has made changes beyond what the regulati

require in order to reduce the possibility that c

tomers will overextend themselves with a debit c

When customers dont have enough money in t

checking accounts, everyday debit card transacti

like grocery store purchases will be declined so th

will be no unexpected overdraft fees for those tra


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2010 TXU Energy Retail Company LLC. All rights reserved. REP #10004

Thats why we have a program called TXU Energy Aid.SM

Nobody should have to sufer

without power or ear o an electricity bill they cant aford. Were proud to provide

temporary bill payment assistance to thousands o customers in critical situations

each year, right in your community. Since 1983, TXU Energy AidSM

has provided more

than $61 million in bill payment assistance, helping 365,000 amilies in need.

Learn more at txu.com.

Just when you have the budget worked out so you canbarely squeak by every month, something unexpectedhits you. We know about those times.

When life throws you a curvewe can go to bat for you.

TXU Energy is proud to partner with

actions. Beginning this fall, customers may be given

he choice at their ATMs to proceed with the transac-

on and be charged a fee if they dont have the funds

available, or not to proceed with the transaction and

avoid the fee.

Consumer advocate Martin Eakes, CEO of the Cen-

er for Responsible Lending, recently said of Bank of

Americas new overdraft policy, This is really a big

deal. As the largest debit card issuer in the country,Bank of America has demonstrated true leadership

n listening to its customers and now has the largest

base of safe and consumer-friendly debit cards.

Some customers may choose to sign up for overdraft

protection services that link a checking account to

other account, such as a savings account or cr

card, to ensure their transactions are not declin

The bank will automatically transfer available fu

from the linked account to help cover the overdraf

a small fee.

Theres a lot to consider when it comes to fully

derstanding your checking account and its bene

Ask your bank about free security features and unstand how overdrafts work. Knowing what to expec

avoid surprises will help you protect your bottom l

Courtesy of ARAcontent


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New Hope Church

300 Wichita Steet, Wichita Falls, Texas 76307

Please Join Us For Sunday Services


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Txu Energy Voluntarily Offers SummeMoratorium On Disconnects

Customer Protections Address Deposit Waivers & Flexible Payment

Today, TXU Energy announced it has again declared

a summer moratorium on disconnects for custom-

ers in need. A exible payment plan is available forresidential customers designated as low-income, ill or

disabled, or who are at least 62 years of age. This is

he fourth consecutive year the company has offered

protections to eligible customers.

Customers must contact TXU Energy at 1-800-242-9113 on or after July 1st to notify the company of their

needs and to sign up for special, more exible pay-ment plans. These measures will be in effect July

1 through September 30, 2010. TXU Energy also

waives deposit requirements for residential custom-ers who are at least 62 years of age and for all cus-

omers with a good record of timely payment.

"At TXU Energy we understand that some custom-

ers need assistance with their electricity bills, which is

why we offer our voluntary summer moratorium and

continue to offer several other programs to assist our

customers in need," said Jim Burke, chief executive

ofcer, TXU Energy. "It's important for customers tocall us and sign up for the summer moratorium and

o communicate their special needs so we can assisthem."

TXU Energy's customer protection measures include:

Summer Moratorium on Disconnects

Certain customers who are designated as low

come, ill or disabled, or who are at least 62 year

age can avoid disconnection of service due to n

payment by contacting TXU Energy at 1-800-29113 and enrolling in one of the Summer Morator

plans described below.

The 2010 Summer Moratorium Plans

* Enhancements for customers qualifying un

existing PUC rules

TXU Energy will allow customers designated

low-income, ill or disabled, or who are at least

years of age and who qualify for a deferred paymplan under the Public Utility Commission (PUC) c

tomer protection rules to continue to receive elec

service by paying 25 percent of their total outstand

balance of electric charges, with the remaining

ance to be paid in equal installments over the n

ve billing cycles (typically, balances must be paithree billing cycles).

* Special payment program for certain custo

groups

A exible payment plan is also available to cust

ers who are designated as low-income, ill or disabor who are at least 62 years of age, even if they do

qualify for a payment plan under the PUC custo

protection rules. Customers who enroll will conti

to receive electric service by paying 50 percent of

total outstanding balance of electric charges, with

remaining balance to be paid in equal installme

over the next ve billing cycles.* An additional payment program for other custo

groups

Customers designated as either (1) both lincome and who are at least 62 years of age, or

ill or disabled can avoid disconnection of service

to non-payment through a special TXU Energy

gram, even if they do not qualify for a payment p

under the PUC customer protection rules. Qua

ing customers who contact TXU Energy before

due date of their current bill and agree to this prog

can continue to receive electric service by paying

percent of their electric bill that becomes due in e

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of the months of July, August and September. Begin-

ning with the rst electric bill due after September 30,2010, customers subscribing to this plan will be re-

quired to pay the deferred balance in equal install-

ments over the next ve bills in addition to their actualcharges for that month

* Average Monthly Billing is also an option for these

customer groups

Customers who call will have the option to sign

up for TXU Energy's Average Monthly Billing (AMB)program instead of establishing a payment plan. For

many customers, summer consists of several months

of high usage bills which can be difcult to pay. AMBspreads electricity costs over 12 months, making a

customer's monthly electric bill more predictable. Dur-ng the higher usage bills of summer, the amount in

excess of a customer's annual average monthly billamount is placed on their account, but it is generally

not due until their usage drops below the average and

he deferred amount is gradually repaid.

Waiver of Deposits

TXU Energy waives deposits for residential custom-

ers who are at least 62 years of age and for any resi-

dential customer with an electric bill payment history

of no more than one late payment during the prior

2-month period. TXU Energy provides additional

deposit waivers as well, including all PUC required

waivers..

$250 Million Commitment to Customer Assistaand Energy Efciency InitiativesThese customer protections are in addition to a c

prehensive set of commitments totaling $250 milthrough 2012, including:

* $125 Million Commitment to Low-Income Ctomer Discount Program

TXU Energy is investing $125 million through 2

in a special year-round low-income discount progrTXU Energy is the only retail electric company in T

as that voluntarily provides an approximate 10 perc

discount for participating low-income customers. T

discount is in addition to the one provided by the S

of Texas' System Benet Fund -- the state direcprogram for low-income assistance on energy b

As of April 2010, almost 135,000 TXU Energy c

tomers have been enrolled to receive the disco

The program is available to TXU Energy low-inco

customers in all the competitive areas across Tex

* $25 Million Commitment to TXU Energy AidProgram

Working with social service agencies statew

TXU Energy administers and helps fund the TXU

ergy AidSM program, which benets any custowho has an emergency need for bill payment as

tance. TXU Energy is providing $25 million thro2012 for TXU Energy AidSM, in addition to any fu

received from customers and employees for this

portant program. TXU Energy's program is the l

est bill payment assistance program among electrcompanies in the nation.

* $100 Million Commitment to ergy Efciency and Conservationvestments

Additionally, TXU Energy pl

to spend $100 million through 2to help customers reduce the amo

of electricity they use through ene

efciency and conservation intives. A portion of this commitm

has been dedicated to the compaLow-Income Energy Assistance P

gram, which targets single- and m

family homes by providing acces

technologies that help customers

less electricity so they reduce t

overall bills and save money.

For more information on the sum

moratorium visit txu.com/billhelp


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The Scent Of Success: How Aromatherapy Can Help Your Professional Ed

ARA) - In an increasingly competitive job market,

many Americans are seeking every edge they can get

o nd a job, or keep the one they have. Stimulatinghe mind and memory function can help profession-

als feel more alert and on their game. Aromatherapy

can be one more weapon in a professionals business

arsenal.

Aromatherapy works to stimulate memory and

mind because our sense of smell is the only se

directly connected to the central nervous system.

nasal bulb, an area of densely packed neural rec

tors, sits near the center of our heads and in

faces directly with the brain. By contrast, mile

nerve pathways sit between the ears, eyes

the brain. Tying visual and auditory experiento a distinct aroma can help us process, re

and recall visual and auditory data more ef

tively.

The inspiring and memorable aromas of the

tanical world can be recreated using essen

oils. Essential oils are extracted from plants

ing steam distillation. They are completely n

ral, widely available, and can be great tools

stimulating mental clarity and the enhancem

of memory.

To learn more about Aura Cacia, a purveyor of

percent pure and natural essential oils and aro

therapy products in the United States, go to www

racacia.com.


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*Finance oer subject to credit approval, applies to purchases o new Yamaha Motorcycles, ATVs & Scooters made on a Yamaha Installment Financing loan account rom 7/1/10-9/30/10. Minimumcontract length is 24 months and maximum length is 36 months. Minimum amount fnanced is $5,000. Fixed APR o 3.99%, 5.99%, 8.99%, or 14.99% will be assigned based on credit approvalcriteria. Monthly payments per $1,000 fnanced based on 36 month term are $29.52 at 3.99%, $30.42 at 5.99%, $31.80 at 8.99%, and $34.66 at 14.99%. **Customer Cash oer good on select2010 (and prior year) models between 6/1/10-9/30/10. Offer good only in the U.S., excluding the state of Hawaii. Proessional riders with advanced skills on closed course. Some modelsshown with optional accessories. Dress properly or your ride with a helmet, eye protection, gloves and boots. Do not drink and ride. It is illegal and dangerous. Yamaha and the MotorcycleSaety Foundation encourage you to ride saely and respect the environment. For urther inormation regarding the MSF course, please call 1-800-446-9227. ATVs with engine sizes over 90ccare recommended or use only by riders age 16 years and older. Yamaha recommends that all ATV riders take an approved training course. For saety and training inormation, see your dealeror call the ATV Saety Institute at 1-800-887-2887 ATVs can be hazardous to operate For your saety: Always avoid paved suraces Never ride on public roads Always wear a helmet eye

HURRY - OFFER ENDS SOON!

401 N. Scott Avenue

Wichita Falls TX 76306

Phone: 940.322.4121

Fax: 940.716.9333

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The North Texas Journal v23n31