Apply for an Assets for Independence Grant help family financial stability

Assets for Independence (AFI) helps individuals and families secure long-term financial stability through asset building. Collectively, asset building leads to transformational change in low-income communities. If you think your community might benefit from an AFI Individual Development Account (IDA) project, the AFI Resource Center encourages you to apply for an AFI grant in 2012.

The AFI Program will review and fund new grants in three cycles during 2012:

Spring Cycle – due March 26, 2012
Summer Cycle – due May 25, 2012

The AFI Resource Center will host a series of calls this winter to help prospective applicants develop an AFI grant application. Register online now to participate in these interactive calls and learn more about AFI application requirements and procedures.

Upcoming Webinar dates:
· Tuesday, February 14, 2012, 2:00 p.m. EST: Tips for Developing Resources and Partners for AFI Projects
· Tuesday, February 28, 2012, 2:00 p.m. EST: AFI Program Overview and Grant Application Process

Additional information about applying for an AFI grant is available in the Apply for an AFI Grant section of IDAresources.org:

· Determine whether the AFI Program is right for your organization.
· Learn how to apply for an AFI grant.
· Locate Current AFI grantees near you.
· Learn about Asset Building in Native Communities.

The Apply for an AFI Grant section on IDAresources.org also contains the AFI Project Builder, a guidebook for organizations that want to design and implement an asset building program supported by the AFI Program. The AFI Project Builder toolkit contains worksheets and other tools to help grantees design and implement their program.

AFI Resource Center | Office of Community Services
www.acf.hhs.gov/assetbuilding | www.idaresources.org
1-866-778-6037 | info

Help Families Claim Valuable Tax Credits – Worth More Than Ever This Year!

You can make a difference by educating low- and moderate-income families about federal and state tax credits that can help put thousands of dollars in their pockets!
When they file their taxes for 2011 in early 2012, working families may be eligible to claim valuable federal tax credits, such as:

• Earned Income Tax Credit, which helps provide a wage supplement for low and moderate-income families (those earning less than $49,078 annually). This credit is worth up to $5,751, and is refundable.
• Child Tax Credit, designed to help families offset some of the costs of raising children. This credit is worth up to $1,000 per child. Families who owe little or no income tax can receive some or all of this credit as a refund if they earned at least $3,000 in 2011.
• Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, designed to offset some of the child or dependent care costs that families incur in order to work. This credit is worth up to $2,100, though the amount that can be claimed is limited by a family’s actual federal income tax liability.

In addition, many states offer their own child and dependent care tax credits and earned income tax credits, and a few offer child tax credits as well.
But families have to know about the credits in order to claim them on their state and federal tax returns, and you can help. Each tax filing season, the National Women’s Law Center, working with advocates and service providers across the country, conducts a national tax credits outreach campaign. Participating is easy!

• To download free outreach materials, many of which are available in Spanish and other languages, visit the NWLC Tax Credits Outreach Campaign webpage atwww.nwlc.org/LowerYourTaxes or the IRS EITC Central at www.eitc.irs.gov.
• To find out more about the location, dates, and hours of free tax preparation sites in your area, call the Internal Revenue Service toll-free at (800) 906-9887.

Announcing a Series of AFI-Sponsored Financial Education Training Academies

Announcing a Series of AFI-Sponsored Financial Education Training Academies
The AFI Resource Center is pleased to announce a series of two-day Financial Education Academies for AFI grantees and other financial educators. These sessions, conducted as “train-the-trainer” sessions for staff that deliver or manage financial education will be presented in various locations throughout the country. These sessions are offered free of charge (no registration fee), but attendees will need to pay their own travel costs; however, travel stipends are available for AFI grantees. Two different academies will be offered: Level One and Level Two. Please read on for a description of these sessions. In addition to the training sessions, at some locations we will also offer a Technical Assistance clinic where participants can get small group or one-on-one assistance on financial education needs.
Training One:
Content and Skills for Making Financial Education Effective and Engaging: Financial Education Training for Trainers. This training provides the foundation for making financial education accessible, engaging relevant and actionable for AFI participants. This training is designed for new AFI staff or individuals with less than three years of direct financial education experience. Practitioners with more experience have found the training extremely beneficial, too.
Training Two:
Content and Skills for Making Financial Education Effective and Engaging: Financial Education Training for Trainers: The Next Level. This training picks up where Level One ends and is designed for those who attended Level One previously or who have three or more years of direct financial education experience. The training is designed to provide AFI grantees and others with opportunities to further develop their financial education delivery skills and content knowledge on advanced financial education topics. The training includes the following topics:

• Using and combining different approaches to deliver financial education and the level of outcome/impact to be expected using these approaches.
• Applying the core concepts of behavioral economics to financial education program design.
• Using new activity ideas in the context of financial education.
• Keeping participants motivated during the financial education learning process and using new skills, resources and financial management services/products as a result of financial education efforts.
• Facilitating sessions on:

• principles of saving and investing in the new economy
• asset protection
• consumer protections including consumer rights and responsibilities
• credit scores

Integrating concepts of media and economic literacy into financial education efforts. Facilitating sessions on budgeting for people at different stages of life. Training Three:
Effective Financial Education for Post-Secondary Education. The purpose of this training is to provide AFI Grantees with the opportunity to further develop their financial education facilitation skills and content knowledge on topics related to post-secondary education. Topics will include:

• How paying for post-secondary education (direct and indirect, i.e., living expenses) impacts budget and cash flow
• How financing options impact net worth
• Estimating tuition and cost of living costs
• Figuring out how to pay for post-secondary education and training financing options
• Understanding loans and how people get into trouble with loans
• How to most effectively use the IDA with other post-secondary education and training financing options
• Understanding accreditation and the different kinds of schooling options available
• Identifying the predatory side of post-secondary education and training provision and financing
• Helping participants get the best return on their investment in education and training; connecting training with careers
• And more.

The locations and dates of trainings to be offered are as follows:

• Tallahassee, FL on February 1 and 2 (Training One)
• Murfreesboro, TN on February 28 and 29 (Training Two)
• Philadelphia, PA on April 17 and 18 (Training Two)
• Santa Fe, NM on April 23 and 24 (Training Two)
• San Francisco, CA on June 25 and 26 (Training Two)
• San Francisco, CA on June 27 (Training Three)

Trainings One and Two will start at 9 a.m. on day one and end at 3:30 p.m. on day two. Training Three will start at 9 a.m. and end at 4 p.m.
Travel Reimbursements Available to AFI Grantees:
For AFI grantees only, a $600 travel stipend reimbursement is available to help offset travel costs to the Financial Education Academy. Please indicate your interest in receiving information about this reimbursement when registering for the training.
Technical Assistance Clinics Available:
At the Tennessee, New Mexico and Pennsylvania trainings, we will also offer a “Technical Assistance Clinic” during the evening of the first day of the training. At this clinic, you will be able to meet in small group or one-on-one with a financial educator to discuss issues or concerns and to get assistance on those topics.
To Register:
If you are interested in attending one of these sessions, please complete theregistration form. Confirmation and additional information about the session will be emailed to you.
If you have any questions, please contact the AFI Resource Center at: info.

Financial Education Training Academies sponsored by Assets for Independence

Announcing a Series of AFI-Sponsored Financial Education Training Academies
The AFI Resource Center is pleased to announce a series of two-day Financial Education Academies for AFI grantees and other financial educators. These sessions, conducted as “train-the-trainer” sessions for staff that deliver or manage financial education will be presented in various locations throughout the country. These sessions are offered free of charge (no registration fee), but attendees will need to pay their own travel costs; however, travel stipends are available for AFI grantees. Two different academies will be offered: Level One and Level Two. Please read on for a description of these sessions. In addition to the training sessions, at some locations we will also offer a Technical Assistance clinic where participants can get small group or one-on-one assistance on financial education needs.
Training One:
Content and Skills for Making Financial Education Effective and Engaging: Financial Education Training for Trainers. This training provides the foundation for making financial education accessible, engaging relevant and actionable for AFI participants. This training is designed for new AFI staff or individuals with less than three years of direct financial education experience. Practitioners with more experience have found the training extremely beneficial, too.
Training Two:
Content and Skills for Making Financial Education Effective and Engaging: Financial Education Training for Trainers: The Next Level. This training picks up where Level One ends and is designed for those who attended Level One previously or who have three or more years of direct financial education experience. The training is designed to provide AFI grantees and others with opportunities to further develop their financial education delivery skills and content knowledge on advanced financial education topics. The training includes the following topics:

• Using and combining different approaches to deliver financial education and the level of outcome/impact to be expected using these approaches.
• Applying the core concepts of behavioral economics to financial education program design.
• Using new activity ideas in the context of financial education.
• Keeping participants motivated during the financial education learning process and using new skills, resources and financial management services/products as a result of financial education efforts.
• Facilitating sessions on:

• principles of saving and investing in the new economy
• asset protection
• consumer protections including consumer rights and responsibilities
• credit scores

Integrating concepts of media and economic literacy into financial education efforts. Facilitating sessions on budgeting for people at different stages of life. Training Three:
Effective Financial Education for Post-Secondary Education. The purpose of this training is to provide AFI Grantees with the opportunity to further develop their financial education facilitation skills and content knowledge on topics related to post-secondary education. Topics will include:

• How paying for post-secondary education (direct and indirect, i.e., living expenses) impacts budget and cash flow
• How financing options impact net worth
• Estimating tuition and cost of living costs
• Figuring out how to pay for post-secondary education and training financing options
• Understanding loans and how people get into trouble with loans
• How to most effectively use the IDA with other post-secondary education and training financing options
• Understanding accreditation and the different kinds of schooling options available
• Identifying the predatory side of post-secondary education and training provision and financing
• Helping participants get the best return on their investment in education and training; connecting training with careers
• And more.

The locations and dates of trainings to be offered are as follows:

• Tallahassee, FL on February 1 and 2 (Training One)
• Murfreesboro, TN on February 28 and 29 (Training Two)
• Philadelphia, PA on April 17 and 18 (Training Two)
• Santa Fe, NM on April 23 and 24 (Training Two)
• San Francisco, CA on June 25 and 26 (Training Two)
• San Francisco, CA on June 27 (Training Three)

Trainings One and Two will start at 9 a.m. on day one and end at 3:30 p.m. on day two. Training Three will start at 9 a.m. and end at 4 p.m.
Travel Reimbursements Available to AFI Grantees:
For AFI grantees only, a $600 travel stipend reimbursement is available to help offset travel costs to the Financial Education Academy. Please indicate your interest in receiving information about this reimbursement when registering for the training.
Technical Assistance Clinics Available:
At the Tennessee, New Mexico and Pennsylvania trainings, we will also offer a “Technical Assistance Clinic” during the evening of the first day of the training. At this clinic, you will be able to meet in small group or one-on-one with a financial educator to discuss issues or concerns and to get assistance on those topics.
To Register:
If you are interested in attending one of these sessions, please complete the registration form. Confirmation and additional information about the session will be emailed to you.
If you have any questions, please contact the AFI Resource Center at: info.

Upcoming OK DHS Lecture: Children of Incarcerated Parents

Please share this information with groups and individuals interested in this topic. Thanks!

Oklahoma’s children of incarcerated parents’ next topic in OKDHS Lecture Series

Oklahoma incarcerates more women per capita than any state in the nation, making their children the hidden, innocent victims. Those issues will be discussed in the Practice and Policy Lecture Series, sponsored in part by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS). “Tell me a Story: The Reality of Oklahoma’s Children of Incarcerated Parents,” will be Friday, February 17, from Noon to 1 p.m. in the Chesapeake Room of the Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive in Oklahoma City. Select here to pre-register

Cheri Fuller will bring to light some of the challenges facing children whose mothers are incarcerated as well as share an innovative model for keeping families connected.

Fuller says children are deeply affected socially, emotionally and academically by the incarceration of a parent—especially a mother. “Few children see their incarcerated parents on a regular basis and most not at all,” she says. “It is difficult for parents to maintain contact with their children while they are incarcerated due to a lack of resources. That may include the child’s distance from prison and family hardships, among other things.”

Without contact, Fuller says children may begin to perceive their parents as strangers, making their adjustment with caregivers or other adults more challenging and reunification with their parents even more difficult. However, she says “there is evidence that maintaining the child-parent relationship while a parent is incarcerated improves a child’s emotional response to the incarceration and also encourages parent-child attachment.”

Fuller is an author and international speaker who has taught at every level from elementary school to college. Additionally, she has written several books, appeared on national television and radio, and in 2004 was named “Oklahoma Mother of the Year. Fuller and her husband reside in Edmond.

The Practice and Policy Lecture Series has been developed to provide thought-provoking presentations on Oklahoma’s emerging policy issues, trends and best practices. The series is sponsored by the OKDHS Office of Planning, Research and Statistics and the University of Oklahoma Center for Public Management with the goal of providing the best educational opportunities available in a forum that offers participants an opportunity to question, share and learn.

All lectures are free and open to the public. For more information contact the Office of Planning, Research and Statistics at (405)521-3552. View the complete lecture series lineup at: Practice and Policy Lecture Series website.

March 30, 2012
Children’s Right to Thrive: The Foundational Years
Noon to 1 pm
Oklahoma History Center
Craig T. Ramey, PhD, Professor & Distinguished Research Scholar at Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute

April 2, 2012
Understanding Differences in Health Behaviors by Education
Noon to 1 pm
University of Oklahoma, College of Public Health
Adriana Lleras-Muney, PhD, Associate Professor in Dept. of Economics at UCLA

May 17, 2012
The Senior Safety Net in Jeopardy
Noon to 1 pm
Oklahoma History Center
Karyne Jones, President & CEO, The National Caucus & Center on Black Aged, Inc.

Prior presentations are located on the Practice and Policy web site.

Categories:
Aging
Child Care
Child Welfare
Customer Service
Developmental Disabilities
Economy
Faith-Based and Community Initiatives
Health Care
Leadership
Marriage and Family
Technology

Connie Schlittler, LCSW, MPA
Chief Information Officer
OK Department of Human Services
PO Box 25352
Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0352
405-521-2907
Connie.schlittler@okdhs.org

Upcoming OK DHS Lecture: Children of Incarcerated Parents

Please share this information with groups and individuals interested in this topic. Thanks!

Oklahoma’s children of incarcerated parents’ next topic in OKDHS Lecture Series

Oklahoma incarcerates more women per capita than any state in the nation, making their children the hidden, innocent victims. Those issues will be discussed in the Practice and Policy Lecture Series, sponsored in part by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS). “Tell me a Story: The Reality of Oklahoma’s Children of Incarcerated Parents,” will be Friday, February 17, from Noon to 1 p.m. in the Chesapeake Room of the Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive in Oklahoma City. Select here to pre-register

Cheri Fuller will bring to light some of the challenges facing children whose mothers are incarcerated as well as share an innovative model for keeping families connected.

Fuller says children are deeply affected socially, emotionally and academically by the incarceration of a parent—especially a mother. “Few children see their incarcerated parents on a regular basis and most not at all,” she says. “It is difficult for parents to maintain contact with their children while they are incarcerated due to a lack of resources. That may include the child’s distance from prison and family hardships, among other things.”

Without contact, Fuller says children may begin to perceive their parents as strangers, making their adjustment with caregivers or other adults more challenging and reunification with their parents even more difficult. However, she says “there is evidence that maintaining the child-parent relationship while a parent is incarcerated improves a child’s emotional response to the incarceration and also encourages parent-child attachment.”

Fuller is an author and international speaker who has taught at every level from elementary school to college. Additionally, she has written several books, appeared on national television and radio, and in 2004 was named “Oklahoma Mother of the Year. Fuller and her husband reside in Edmond.

The Practice and Policy Lecture Series has been developed to provide thought-provoking presentations on Oklahoma’s emerging policy issues, trends and best practices. The series is sponsored by the OKDHS Office of Planning, Research and Statistics and the University of Oklahoma Center for Public Management with the goal of providing the best educational opportunities available in a forum that offers participants an opportunity to question, share and learn.

All lectures are free and open to the public. For more information contact the Office of Planning, Research and Statistics at (405)521-3552. View the complete lecture series lineup at: Practice and Policy Lecture Series website.

March 30, 2012
Children’s Right to Thrive: The Foundational Years
Noon to 1 pm
Oklahoma History Center
Craig T. Ramey, PhD, Professor & Distinguished Research Scholar at Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute

April 2, 2012
Understanding Differences in Health Behaviors by Education
Noon to 1 pm
University of Oklahoma, College of Public Health
Adriana Lleras-Muney, PhD, Associate Professor in Dept. of Economics at UCLA

May 17, 2012
The Senior Safety Net in Jeopardy
Noon to 1 pm
Oklahoma History Center
Karyne Jones, President & CEO, The National Caucus & Center on Black Aged, Inc.

Prior presentations are located on the Practice and Policy web site.

Categories:
Aging
Child Care
Child Welfare
Customer Service
Developmental Disabilities
Economy
Faith-Based and Community Initiatives
Health Care
Leadership
Marriage and Family
Technology

Connie Schlittler, LCSW, MPA
Chief Information Officer
OK Department of Human Services
PO Box 25352
Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0352
405-521-2907
Connie.schlittler@okdhs.org

HOME Program Proposed Rule Webinar: 1/24 12:30 to 2:30 CST

HOME Program Proposed Rule HUD published a significant proposed regulation for the HOME Program in the Federal Register on December 16, 2012. The proposed changes are intended to enhance performance and accountability, and clarify certain existing provisions. Public comments on the proposed changes are due by February 14, 2012. HUD will host also host a webinar on the HOME Proposed Rule on January 24, 2012 from 1:30p.m. – 3:30p.m. EST Check HOME’s TA site for the latest information on the webinar. Among the most significant are the following proposals: · Projects not completed within four years from the date of project commitment would be considered terminated and the jurisdiction must repay HOME funds invested in the project; · Repayment of HOME funds would be required for any unit that is not rented to eligible tenants within 18 months of project completion; · Homebuyer units that are not sold within 6 months of completion of rehabilitation or construction would be required to be converted to rental projects; · Makes several changes to the requirements of CHDOs and funding awarded to CHDOs. For example, general CHDO reservations would be eliminated and PJs would be required to commit CHDO set-aside funds to specific CHDO projects within 24 months. In addition, HUD would deobligate CHDO set-aside funds not expended within five years of obligation to the PJ; PJs would be required to assess a developer’s capacity and financial condition, in addition to market need for the project and its long-term viability before committing HOME funds; · PJs would be required to examine annually the financial condition of rental projects with at least ten HOME-assisted units; · New property standard requirements and inspection requirements would be established; · Mandatory program design considerations for homebuyer programs would be established; PJs would be required to develop and adopt written policies and procedures to improve program oversight, conduct risk-assessments, and more closely monitor sub-recipients. HUD encourages HOME Participating Jurisdictions, other program partners and stakeholders to comment on the proposed rule and raise questions for clarification through the comment process. For up-to-date information regarding the proposed rule and to provide comments please visit the HOME Program Proposed Rule page. HUD will host also host a webinar on the HOME Proposed Rule on January 24, 2012 from 1:30p.m. – 3:30p.m. Check HOME’s TA site for the latest information on the webinar.

2012 IRS Standard Mileage Rate

IRS Announces 2012 Standard Mileage Rates, Most Rates Are the Same as in July

IR-2011-116, Dec. 9, 2011 WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today issued the 2012 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. Beginning on Jan. 1, 2012, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be: 55.5 cents per mile for business miles driven 23 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations The rate for business miles driven is unchanged from the mid-year adjustment that became effective on July 1, 2011. The medical and moving rate has been reduced by 0.5 cents per mile. The standard mileage rate for business is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile. The rate for medical and moving purposes is based on the variable costs as determined by the same study. Independent contractor Runzheimer International conducted the study. Taxpayers always have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates. A taxpayer may not use the business standard mileage rate for a vehicle after using any depreciation method under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) or after claiming a Section 179 deduction for that vehicle. In addition, the business standard mileage rate cannot be used for more than four vehicles used simultaneously. These and other requirements for a taxpayer to use a standard mileage rate to calculate the amount of a deductible business, moving, medical or charitable expense are in Rev. Proc. 2010-51. Notice 2012-01 contains the standard mileage rates, the amount a taxpayer must use in calculating reductions to basis for depreciation taken under the business standard mileage rate, and the maximum standard automobile cost that a taxpayer may use in computing the allowance under a fixed and variable rate plan. Related Item: IR-2011-104, In 2012, Many Tax Benefits Increase Due to Inflation Adjustments

Managing Credit and Debt

By Jennifer Wallis

According to Experian, 58% of Americans have credit scores above 700, which is considered a really good score. If you are among the other 42%, it may feel like you will always be stuck with a lower score. Fortunately, credit scores are just a snapshot of your credit at one point in time and can change frequently. In just a few short months, you could notice a big increase in your credit score if you work to improve it. Bad credit is not a life sentence.

Poor credit and the resulting low credit score may mean that you can’t borrow money from traditional lenders like banks and credit unions. If you are able to borrow money at all, you may have to pay increased interest rates and higher overall prices.  Because of this, studies have shown that people with poor credit can pay $250,000 more over their lifetime more than people with good credit.

A credit history that reflects late payments, collection accounts, judgments, and liens may feel like it will haunt you forever. The good news is that there are things you can do to begin improving your credit and reducing your debt right now. With a better credit score, you will have more options if you need to borrow money for a car or home loan in the future. You will also be able to qualify for lower interest rates. Here are some ways to begin today improving your credit:

• Get a free copy of your credit report: the only truly free report is at www.annualcreditreport.com. Review it to know exactly what it says. Dispute any incorrect information.
• Pay bills on-time: Your payment history makes up the largest portion of your credit history. If you are behind on loans or credit cards, do your best to bring them current.
• Pay off collection accounts and old debt: Start with the smallest ones. Make payments on the others.
• Stay out of debt: If you have credit cards, charge small amount to boost your score. Pay them off each month.
• Attend Bootcamp: Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Central Oklahoma and Tinker Federal Credit Union team up to offer Fiscally Fit Bootcamp 3 times per year. This six-week course will teach you everything you need to know about whipping your wallet into shape www.fiscallyfitbootcamp.net for more info.

To learn more about Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Central Oklahoma, visit www.cccsok.org or contact Jennifer Wallis at  (405)789-2227.

This article is part of a series connected to the ASSET Initiative. The Initiative hopes to expand the reach of the asset-building message and encourage more collaboration across government agencies who do anti-poverty work. To partner with the ASSET Initiative, educate yourself and others, or take on asset building strategies, visit www.idaresources.org or contact Wanda DeBruler at (405) 641-5090 or wanda.debruler@idaresources.org.

‘Tis the Season for Scams: Tips and Warnings for Oklahomans

‘Tis the Season for Scams

Attorney General Pruitt; AARP offer tips and warnings for Oklahomans
OKLAHOMA CITY – Attorney General Scott Pruitt cautioned Oklahomans to be aware of scams and fraud by criminals taking advantage of good will during the holidays.
“Oklahomans are known for being generous to their neighbors, but they need to be cautious of fraud this time of year and make sure their donations are going to help a reputable and worthy cause,” Pruitt said.
AARP Oklahoma State President Marjorie Lyons applauded Pruitt for reminding consumers about holiday fraud, especially older Oklahomans who are particularly vulnerable to scams.
“Con artists can be the Grinch who stole Christmas for seniors, which can be devastating to someone who already must stretch their dollars just to cover basic costs of living,” Lyons said. “We all want to do our part to help charities, which is why it’s critical to make sure you are donating to a legitimate organization.”
Pruitt said before Oklahomans donate to a group, they should do research and contact the organization personally to ensure their donation is going to a reputable cause. Taking extra steps can give peace of mind as well as help donations land in the right hands.
The Attorney General’s Public Protection Unit provides the following tips to avoid fraud:
· Do not give out credit card numbers over the telephone or via e-mail;
· Write checks payable only to the charity;
· Never be pressured into giving;
· Find out if a charity is registered in Oklahoma by contacting the Secretary of State at (405) 521-3911;
· Be leery of “free gifts” or “prizes” in return for donations;
· Ask for information in writing;
· Beware of appeals that are long on emotion, but short on facts;
· Never be afraid to ask questions or request information.

For more information on giving wisely during the holidays, visit www.oag.ok.gov, www.aarp.org or www.bbb.org. To report suspected fraud or scams, contact the AG’s Public Protection Unit at (405) 521-2029 or (918) 581-2885, as well as local law enforcement.