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| Subscriptions | Office of the Attorney General | Consumer Protection Page |
CONSUMER ALERT
Scammers Taking Advantage Of New Federal Economic Stimulus Package
Texans should be aware of a scam that has emerged in connection with the proposed federal economic stimulus package. Under recently passed legislation, the IRS will mail tax rebate checks to eligible Texans over the next few months. President Bush has indicated he will sign the package into law on Wednesday.
Several Texans recently filed complaints with the Office of the Attorney General after receiving unsolicited e-mails and telephone calls from purported IRS agents claiming that the taxpayers are eligible for “Bush refunds.” The scammers demand taxpayers’ Social Security and bank account numbers, claiming the IRS will use the information to directly deposit “rebate checks” into the taxpayers’ accounts.
This is outright identity theft fraud. The IRS does not call or e-mail taxpayers unexpectedly to demand personal information for direct deposits. Taxpayers solicited in this manner should just hang up or delete the e-mail.
Texans who have received these bogus solicitations can file a complaint with the IRS at www.irs.gov or by calling (800) 829-1040. Consumers also can report such calls to our office.
Greg Abbott
Attorney General of Texas |
Welcome
West
Columbia
was
chosen
by
the
founders
of
the
Republic
of
Texas
to
be
the
fledgling
nation’s
First
Capitol.
Although
that
designation
only
lasted
a
few
months,
West
Columbia
and
the
surrounding
area
is
truly
the
birthplace
of
Texas.
History
abounds
in
the
area,
from
the
replica
of
the
First
Capitol
in
downtown
West
Columbia
to
the
stately
Varner-Hogg
Mansion
,
now
a
part
of
the
Texas
Historical Commission.
But
as
proud
as
West
Columbia
is
of
its
historical
ties,
the
city
is
also
keeping
its
focus
on
present
growth
and
future
development.
West
Columbia
is
conveniently
located
at
the
intersection
of
two
major
highways.
Highway
36
is
a
north-south
corridor,
while
Highway
35
runs
east-west.
A
city
of
almost
5,000
people,
West
Columbia
has
the
charm
and
easygoing
lifestyle
of
a
rural
community,
but
is
an
easy
hour’s
drive
from
Houston
and
everything
a
major
metropolitan
area
has
to
offer.
West
Columbia
lies
within
the
Columbia-Brazoria
Independent
School
District
,
a
TEA
Recognized
District.
CBISD has completed a new elementary school in Brazoria, renovations to the
Columbia
High
School, completed construction of a new elementary school in West Columbia and recently completed the construction of a new Junior High and Maintenance Facility located between Brazoria and West Columbia on
Highway
36.
The
city’s
First
Capitol
Park
offers
a
heated
swimming
pool,
softball
fields,
a
pavilion,
a
fishing
lake
and
spaces
for
RV
parking.
Teena Maenza
Brazoria
County
News
Mission
of
the
city
The
City
of
West
Columbia
is
small
community
that
works
together
well
with
the
citizens
that
it
serves.
It
strives
to
bring
the
best
services
and
facilities
for
the
people
that
it
governs.
City
Profile
The
City
of
West
Columbia
is
a
town
with
a
population
of
about
5,000
people.
It
is
located
about
40
miles
southwest
of
Houston
at
the
intersection
of
State
Hwy
35
and
State
Hwy
36.
The
Government
has
gained
the
respect
of
the
citizens
that
they
serve.
Community
organizations
that
the
City
is
a
member:
Chamber
of
Commerce
Houston
Galveston
Area
Council
Texas
Municipal
League
Brazoria
County
Cities
Association
The
City
of West Columbia is very fortunate to have a focused
city
council
to
represent
the
citizens
of
this
town.
Mayor:
David
Foster
Council
Members
Position
1
Robert
Thomas
Position
2
Charley
Tindol
Position
3 Randy Gilbert
Position
4 Jamie Walker
Position
5
Betty
Lytle
City
Manager:
Debbie Sutherland
Chief
Of
Police:
Michael Palmer
City
Secretary:
Kelli Kuban
Contact
Information
If
you
need
to
contact
someone
about
the
web
site,
please
send
me
an
e-mail.
If
you
need
to
talk
to
someone,
please
contact
Debbie
Sutherland
at
city
hall
at
the
telephone
number
below.
She
will
relay
any
information
to
the
proper
people.
Telephone
979-345-3123
Fax
979-345-3178
Postal
Address
P.O.
Box
487
West
Columbia,
TX
77486
It
is
our
proud
honor
to
award
you
with
the
silver
HometownUSA
Community
Website
Award.
Send
mail
to
webmaster@westcolumbia.org
with
questions
or
comments
about
this
site.
Last
modified:
February 21, 2008
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