News – Wednesday, December 4th 2024

The ninth annual National Tax Security Awareness Week featuring tips for people to avoid scams and protect their sensitive data. The special week is part of the Security Summit initiative, a joint effort between the IRS, states, the tax industry and tax professionals that works to protect everyone as well as the tax system against identity theft. Abundant scams and rip-offs being seen by the IRS and the Security Summit partners include ever-evolving and increasingly sophisticated phishing emails and related attacks on the unsuspecting. Taxpayers can be duped into unwittingly handing over their confidential tax and financial information. Would-be victims could also get tricked into disclosing their addresses, Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers or passwords, which can lead to tax-related identity theft and fraud. A common example right now involves false messages made to look like they’re coming from delivery services. In these scams, victims receive a text or email purporting to be from a company or business saying a delivery can’t be made along with a link to click to reschedule. But in reality, the link represents a form of phishing that attempts to steal personal information or download malware. It’s a very prevalent scam expected to intensify during the holidays. Remember, don’t click on anything unknown, even if you just ordered gifts and you’re expecting packages to come to your door soon. Double-check before you click! Another common scam expected to intensify soon will involve emails pretending to be from the IRS or others in the tax industry. These frequently involve unexpected, good news, like a tax refund. But they can also involve variants telling people they have a tax bill or have tax documents available to download. IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel says everyone should use extra caution this holiday season to protect their valuable personal and financial information, whether shopping online or clicking on links in email and other messages. A little extra caution can protect taxpayers’ confidential information and reduce the risk of identity theft in the upcoming tax filing season where scam artists will use the information to file fraudulent tax returns and steal your refund.

The City of Salem has announced its Holiday Lighting Contest. Residents and business owners are invited to light up the holiday season by participating in the 2024 Holiday Lighting Contest. Open to both residential and commercial properties, the contest encourages festive displays that celebrate the spirit of the holidays. Participants must register by Friday, December 6, at the City Utility Office to be eligible. The Holiday Lighting Contest will have two categories: Residential and Commercial. The judging will take place in mid-December, with winners announced on December 27th. Decorated displays must be set up by the evening of the Christmas Parade on the first Saturday of December and remain in place through December 25th, allowing community members ample time to enjoy them. Winning entries in each category will receive credits on their City Utility bills in the amounts of $100 for 1st Place, $50 for 2nd Place and $25 for 3rd Place. Funds for contest awards come from the Community Support line in the City’s General Fund, not from Utility revenues. To promote community viewing, the city will publish a map of contest locations, allowing residents and visitors to explore these holiday displays. By entering, participants agree to have their address sharedpublicly for this purpose. Individuals affiliated with the City of Salem are not eligible to participate in the contest. For more information and a registration form, visit our website at salemmo.com/city then scroll down to the News Feature and click on “Holiday Lighting Contest”. You may also contact the City Utility Office at 573-729-4117.

The Salem Area Community Betterment Association is proud to announce the “Old Fashioned Christmas” Trees and Trains Exhibit at the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center is now open! Trees and Trains is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 in the morning until 5:00 in the afternoon. On Saturdays, from 9:00 in the morning until 1:00 in the afternoon, and Sundays from 1:00 until 5:00 in the afternoon. Groups are welcome. This community event is only possible with the support of numerous organizations, businesses and individuals creating a beautiful collection of unique Christmas trees complimented by fun trains that catch every child’s eye. SACBA also wants to send out their heartfelt appreciation to all the volunteers who give of their time during the holidays to make this event special. Donations are encouraged to thank the Ozark Natural and Cultural Resource Center for hosting this festive event!