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If you believe you are a victim of identity theft, you should contact one of the three major credit bu- reaus to place a fraud alert on your credit account. This critically important step makes it harder for identity thieves to open ad- ditional financial accounts, such as a bank account, in your name. This helps pre- vent identity thieves from directing fraudulent tax refunds into bank accounts they created or opening ad- ditional credit cards in your name. The IRS has teamed up with state revenue depart- ments and the tax industry to make sure you under- stand the dangers to your personal and financial data. Taxes. Security. Together, (https://www.irs.gov/Indi- viduals/Taxes-Security-To- gether). Working in part- nership with you, we can make a difference. Contacting a credit bu- reau if you think you are an identity theft victim can help you in many ways, including helping protect your tax information. The three main credit bureaus: www.Equifax. com/CreditRepor t A s- sistance, 888-766-0008; www.Experian.com/frau- dalert, 888-397-3742 and www.TransUnion.com/ fraud, 800-680-7289. If you are an identity theft victim, you need con- tact only one of the three to request a fraud alert. One bureau must notify the oth- ers when a fraud alert is re- quested. You'll get a letter from each credit bureau. It will confirm that they placed a fraud alert on your file. A fraud alert is free, and it lasts for 90 days. You can renew it. It provides a red flag to other businesses where the thieves may be trying to open accounts and legitimate businesses may take additional steps to verify identities. Three types of fraud alerts are available: 1. Initial Fraud Alert. If you're concerned about identity theft, but haven't yet become a victim, this fraud alert will protect your credit from unverified ac- cess for at least 90 days. You may want to place a fraud alert on your file if your wal- let, Social Security card, or other personal, financial or account information are lost or stolen. 2. Extended Fraud Alert. For victims of iden- tity theft, an extended fraud alert will protect your credit for seven years. 3. Active Duty Military Alert. For those in the mil- itary who want to protect their credit while deployed, this fraud alert lasts for one year. Also, you should get your free credit report right away to ensure identity thieves have not opened additional accounts. Go to annualcre- ditreport.com, which is op- erated by the three major bureaus, or call 877-322- 8228. If you want even stronger protections or if you were part of a large-scale data breach, you might consider a "credit freeze" which ap- plies even stronger protec- tions but often times for a fee that varies by state. A credit freeze, also known as a security freeze, lets you restrict access to your credit report, which in turn makes it difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name. You must contact each of the three credit bureaus to establish a credit freeze. What's the difference be- tween a credit freeze and a fraud alert? A credit freeze locks down your credit. A fraud alert allows creditors to get a copy of your credit report as long as they take steps to verify your iden- tity. After receiving your freeze request, each credit reporting company will send you a confirmation letter containing a unique PIN (personal identification number) or password. Keep the PIN or password in a safe place. You will need it if you choose to lift the freeze. If you apply for credit, a home mortgage or a job, you will have to temporarily lift the freeze so that the busi- nesses may confirm your credit record. There is a fee for lifting a freeze as well. To learn additional steps you can take to protect your personal and financial data, visit Taxes. Security. To- gether, (https://www.irs. gov/Individuals/Taxes-Se- curity-Together). You also can read Publication 4524, Security Awareness for Tax- payers. Each and every taxpayer has a set of fundamental rights they should be aware of when dealing with the IRS. These are your Tax- payer Bill of Rights. Ex- plore your rights and our obligations to protect them on IRS.gov. TAXTIP Creditbureauscan help protect your financial accounts The Mount Lassen Post 167 of the American Legion hosted its annual Christ- mas and community Rec- ognition Dinner Dec. 12 at the Red Bluff Veterans Me- morial Hall. The outstanding din- ner was highlighted with Christmas carols sung by the Red Bluff High School singers. The proceedings in- cluded Operations Chief Randy Rapp introducing Chief Steve Zane of the Paynes Creek Volunteer fire station and Battalion Chief Erick Puckett with certifi- cates and plaques of com- mendation from the Amer- ican Legion Post 167. Lt. Lou Aviles, California Highway Patrol Red Bluff area commander, intro- duced Officer Jay McPeek as the selection as Ameri- can Legion Post #167 Law Officer of the Year with a certificate and plaque. The certificates and plaques were presented to the honorees by Post Com- mander Clark Sillman. Sillman honored Le- gionnaire Jessie Neff for Meritorious Service for his contributions to the community by cooking meals for the homeless at the Vinyard Church and preparing meals at the Veterans Memorial Hall, as well as various fund raising events hosted by Post 167. Legionnaire Ada Joanne Wilson was honored as the Legionnaire of the Year for Post #167 for her contribu- tions in the community and completing post proj- ects. She voluntarily pro- vided transportation for lo- cal veterans and other vet- erans living in the North State to meet medical ap- pointments and treat- ments. Wilson started pro- viding materials so post members could fabricate lap blankets for veterans living in local rehabilita- tion and assisted living fa- cilities. She also was instru- mental in the selection of candidates for the Boys State Program. AMERICAN LEGION Ch ri st ma s, c om mu ni ty recognition dinner held CONTRIBUTEDPHOTO Legionnaire Joanne Wilson with Legionnaire of the Year awards. Hundreds of State of Jefferson supporters are scheduled to arrive Wednesday by bus and car loads at the west steps of the State Capitol, where Mark Baird and other county representatives will be filing declarations with the Secretary of State, Senate and Assembly Pro- Tems, seeking more repre- sentation and to separate from the State of Califor- nia, under Article 4, Sec- tion 3 of the U.S. Consti- tution. In the last two years, the State of Jefferson move- ment has grown and con- tinues to gain momentum from thousands of citizens, representing Northern Cal- ifornia rural counties who feel they do not have a voice in State government, where actions and decisions are based on the legislators and voters in the greater Los Angeles and San Fran- cisco Bay areas. Such as in the case of the fire fee im- posed on those in many of the rural counties, au- thored by a Southern Cal- ifornia lawmaker whose constituents are not re- quired to pay. Rural citizens want to return to the days prior to 1964, when each county was represented by one State Senator. Now, 11 northern rural counties are represented by one Senator and Los Angeles County is represented by 11 Senators. If the State legislature does not support more rep- resentation, then the coun- ties will seek to separate from the state. These coun- ties support the 51st State, feeling it will offer smaller government, less taxes and regulation, giving county governments more control that benefits and meets the needs of their citizens. The Declaration Day Rally is scheduled to kick off at 10 a.m. at the west steps. There will be mu- sic, including a live perfor- mance of the national an- them. Baird will be speak- ing, along with other guest speakers. The event will continue with other activ- ities into the early after- noon. This is a historic day for the thousands and thou- sands of citizens, who rep- resent all ages, that have joined the Jefferson move- ment in 24 counties. Six counties have already filed with the state and another 15 and possibly a couple of more are expected to file declarations on Wednes- day. The Jefferson movement has caught the attention of other states and countries throughout the world, who are expected to be closely watching this Day of Dec- laration and celebration for the people of the northern counties. POLITICS St at e of J eff er so n go in g to C ap it ol Advocacy American Legion, Lassen Post 0167 Red Bluff, 528-1026 American Legion, Rais- ner Post 45 Corning, 518-3152 Am Vets, Post 2002 Corning, 526-2883 VFW Los Molinos, 384-1301 Red Bluff, 528-1026 Corning Post 4218 Dis- trict 15 Auxiliary 4218, District 15 824-5957 DAV 529-4579 Marine Corps League, Detachment 1140 (888) MCL-1140 Military Family Support Group 529-1852 or 529-2416 Services Tehama County Veterans Service Office 529-3664 Tehama County Veterans Collaborative Tehama Together, 527- 2223 Veteran Resource Center Chico (530) 809-2831 Redding (530) 223-3211 VA Crisis Hotline (800) 273-8255 VA Homeless Outreach (530) 247-7917 Redding VA Outpatient Clinic (530) 226-7555 Chico VA Outpatient Clinic (530) 879-5000 Veterans Home, Redding (530) 224-3800 Faith Based Advocacy PATH — Poor And The Homeless 736-3959 PastorDaveLambers,VCF 736-3400 Veterans services, advocacy groups Established 1994 Rural and Local Internet No Contracts High Data Allowances!! 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