Guarding Against Identity Theft and Fraud
Police advise residents how to protect themselves.
With identity theft and fraud being such a major concern these days, police Investigator Tom Polhemus and Det. Mike Deane recently presented some ways local residents can protect themselves from becoming victims.
Centre View Business Notes
Pennoni Associates elected President and CEO Tony Bartolomeo, PE, as a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Editorial: Protect Children, Animals in Hot Summer Weather
In light of recent incidents around the region, Fairfax County is reminding people of dangers involving children and hot cars. The combination of summer heat and humidity can mean life-threatening conditions for children left in vehicles or other unsuitable environments, even for short time periods. Here’s advice from the Kids and Cars organization:
Editorial: Identity Tips
Review Credit Reports and Avoid Ripoffs
Fairfax County police offer the following tips regarding identity theft and fraud: * Review credit reports annually; Experian: Fraud/credit history, 888-397-3742; Trans Union: Fraud, 800-680-7289; Credit history, 800-888-4213; Equifax: Fraud, 800-525-6285; Credit report, 800-685-1111. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com. * Opt out of receiving pre-approved, credit-card applications by calling 888-567-8688. * Monitor credit cards and bank accounts online for early fraud detection. * Don’t mail bills from home; use electronic banking, if possible. * Victims of identity theft should get a police report and secure a seven-year fraud alert or a credit freeze. * People 70 and older should contact the credit bureaus and obtain a credit freeze, even if they’re not currently identity-theft victims. * Never wire money to strangers online; these requests are scams.
Centre View Bulletin
Open House. 6 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Labor Resource Center, 5956 Centreville Crest Lane. See the raised garden-box project and speak with staff and interns about CLRC’s events and projects. Refreshments available in the mornings. Visit www.centrevillelrc.org.
Opinion: Enjoy Tax Holiday, Donate School Supplies
Good timing to help those in need.
It is debatable whether recurring tax holidays for different seasonal needs are good policy. But since this weekend is Virginia’s tax holiday on school supplies and clothing, it makes sense to take advantage of the savings, and to spread the wealth around.
Centre View Calendar
The Airbus IMAX Theater at National Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center, 14390 Air & Space Museum Parkway, is showing movies including “Hubble,” “Fighter Pilot,” “Space Junk,” “Air Racers”, “The Dream is Alive” and ”Star Trek: Into the Darkness”. Visit http://airandspace.si.edu/udvarhazy/ or call 703-572-4118 for the movie schedule.
Beating Summer Heat
The heat is on, and so are air conditioners. Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative says running an air conditioner can significantly increase electric bills during summer months. To “cool it” and still lower home electricity costs, NOVEC encourages customers to follow these energy-saving tips:
Roessler Named Police Chief
Supervisors appoint Lt. Col. Edwin C. Roessler Jr.
Effective Tuesday morning, a Centreville resident, Lt. Col. Edwin C. Roessler Jr., became Fairfax County’s new chief of police. He was appointed July 30 by the county Board of Supervisors.
Roessler’s Resume with FCPD
Before Lt. Col. Edwin Roessler became acting and then full-fledged chief of police for Fairfax County, he served in every rank as he’s moved up the ladder. Since 2010, he was deputy chief of patrol managing Animal Services, plus crime-fighting efforts across eight district stations.
How to Make a Difference
WFCM needs people to participate in Homeless Walks.
On the surface, it seems as if the residents of Fairfax County are pretty well-off. But the real truth is that more than 1,500 of them are homeless — and they need help from those able to give it.
Roundups: Centre View South
Thomas V. Bowers, 25, of Burke, died Tuesday, July 2, from injuries he sustained in a June 16 crash. The accident occurred at Clifton Road and Maple Branch Road.
Roundups
Fairfax County police have charged a Chantilly man with felony embezzlement. He is Matthew Stephen Filipek, 19, of Cross Meadow Place, and he was arrested in connection with a crime at a store selling golf merchandise.
“Chemo-Nosabe”
Although I’ve not seen the current “The Lone Ranger” theatrical release, I am of a certain age and generation who grew up watching – on black and white television with no remote control and only three watchable channels – the original “The Lone Ranger” (starring Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels), along with other weekday-afternoon and Saturday-morning classics like “The Rifleman,” “Roy Rogers,” “Sky King,” “Superman,” “Leave It To Beaver” and “Ozzie and Harriet” – in my house, anyway. And though the “effects” weren’t nearly as “special” as they are in today’s movie/television productions/versions, nevertheless, the effects on me, personally, were far greater. Can you say wholesome goodness? The Golden Rule? Do unto others…
A Delicate Balance – At Home
How appropriate is it to tell a cancer patient something negative (that he likely doesn’t want to hear) – yet needs to know, and which might ultimately quash his fighting spirit and adversely affect his day – and night? Moreover, would withholding certain discouraging observations intermittently along the cancer-treatment way, in order for said patient to feel good and positive about himself – and better prepare him for any and all news/results which might upset his precariously imperfect life and moreover, likely chip away at his emotional wherewithal as well – cause more harm than 100-percent honesty all the time?