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CA NEWS

Bits from Ginny’s Desk

Submitted by Ginny Wagner, Community Standards Supervisor

We know it’s spring when people start ing on a color chart. neighborhoods. If parking in the garage
to call about painting their homes. For REPLACEMENT OR REMOVAL or driveway is not an option, please go
those who like their existing colors, no OF TREES to the monitor’s desk nearest your resi-
paperwork is required to just update the dence and obtain a parking permit for
existing paint with a new coat of paint If you are replacing a tree with a na- one of our locations where a parked car
unless you own a cottage. For those tive tree from Appendix E in the Design is allowed overnight. The monitor will
who want to change the color of their Guidelines, you won’t need a permit. If be glad to issue a permit for a few days,
house, a form B-2 is required. The col- you are not replacing the tree you want but the long-term answer is to have all
ors used by the developer are on Sun to remove, please review item 49 on the vehicles in the garage or the driveway.
City Texas’ website at www.sctexas.org No Paperwork List and Section 4.3.18 POLITICAL SIGNS
> Departments & Hours > Community of the Design Guidelines located on the
Standards > Paint Schema. There you website at Community Association Info Finally, don’t forget that election signs in
can see which colors you want to consider > Documents to see if you need to file an your yard for the March primary must be
and then see in a paint store. Due to ir- application. removed no later than 10 days after the
regularities in computer monitors and OVERNIGHT PARKING election to which the sign refers.
printer display of colors, it is a good idea
to visit a local paint store and ask them At this time of year, more residents walk Ginny Wagner can be reached at
to help you find the color you’re consider- in the evening where there are no side- 512-948-7462 or email
walks. As you probably know, there is
no overnight parking on the streets in [email protected]

Minimize your risk for identify theft

Submitted by Susanne White, COPS volunteer

We talked about identity theft before, but it bears repeating How to minimize your risk:
because it can have such a serious impact on your future. Here • Shred all: charge receipts, copies of credit applications, insur-
are some ways to prevent it and what to do if you are a victim. ance forms, doctors’ statements, bank checks and statements,
expired charge cards, credit offers
How ID thieves GET your information: • Don’t give out personal information unless absolutely neces-
sary; never reveal credit card numbers or personal details
• Steal wallets or handbags for pay stubs, health insurance by phone, mail or Internet unless you initiated the contact
information, bank and credit cards or know who you’re dealing with
• Pay attention to billing cycles; follow up if bills aren’t on time
• Change your address to get your mail or steal mail for bank • Carry only ID and credit or bank cards you will be using
and credit card statements and other important information • Safeguard your mail

• Watch over your shoulder for your PIN at an ATM Sadly, in one-third of all ATM card frauds, cardholders wrote
their PIN on their card or on a slip of paper kept with it.
• Pose as your landlord, employer or someone else to get credit If you’re a victim:
data Contact the fraud department of one of the three major credit
bureaus below right away and take other steps to address
• Skim, by using a special device to steal credit or debit numbers identity theft.
as the card is processed
• Equifax: call 1-800-525-6285 and visit www.equifax.com
• Bribe or buy personal information from inside sources • Experian: call 1-888-EXPERIAN and visit www.experian.com
• Trans Union: call 1-800-680-7289 and write Fraud Victim
• Pose as telemarketers taking surveys
Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790
How identity thieves USE your information:
COPs needs you to volunteer! Give us two hours
• Change the mailing address of your credit cards and run up twice a month. You can drive (new cars) alone or
charges so you don’t get the bills with a partner, or run the office (at your home).
We’ll train and outfit you. Call 512-966-1362, Mon-
• Open a new credit card, phone, utility or bank account with day–Friday from 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
your information

• File for bankruptcy under your name

• Write checks or use debit cards to drain your bank account

• Buy, rent or lease cars or homes, or take out loans in your name

• Get a job or driver’s license with your social security number,
ID or birth certificate

• File a fraudulent tax return

12 | SUNRAYS MARCH 2016 ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG