U.S. Coast Guard Academy
Posted by: Dan Burton (03-11-2009, 09:42 AM)

Last month I had the distinct pleasure of nominating twenty-five young men and women of the 5th Congressional District of Indiana to the U.S. Service Academies. As you may know, all applicants for U.S. Service Academies, except those to the Coast Guard Academy, must receive a congressional nomination and apply directly to the academy. I would like to take the time to raise awareness about the nomination process for the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (Academy). For over 130 years, the Academy has helped shape the leaders and officers of our nation’s Coast Guard. Although the smallest of the five U.S. federal military academies, its student body represents 43 states and 9 foreign nations. Like other military academies, a cadet’s education is tuition free in return for a five year service commitment – with 85 percent of graduates serving beyond the minimum service requirement. Please visit the academy website here. Interested students can also contact the Academy directly through their admissions office, which you may contact at (860) 444-8503 or admissions@uscga.edu.

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NEWS: Converse residents can now get flood insurance
Posted by: Kerry Byrne (03-10-2009, 07:26 AM)

Converse residents can now get flood insurance Monday, March 09, 2009 The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently named the Town of Converse a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). For more information contact FEMA at: 800-621-FEMA.

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NEWS: Apply for FEMA funds at Salvation Army
Posted by: Kerry Byrne (03-09-2009, 08:43 AM)

Apply for FEMA funds at Salvation Army Monday, March 09, 2009 Tribune Staff Report There may be some help for Miami County residents who are having difficulty paying utility bills. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded the Miami County Emergency Food and Shelter Program $29,056. These funds are available only to those who have already applied for energy assistance through Area 5 and are only valid for one month's utility bill. For the complete story, see the March 7, 2009 edition of the Peru Tribune.

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FTC To Reveal Bogus Web Sites Promising You a Cut of the Cash
Posted by: Dan Burton (03-06-2009, 09:09 AM)

URGENT: Yesterday, I learned of a scam to bilk Americans out of more of their hard earned money. I wanted to be sure you were aware of this and encourage you to protect yourself from further hardship. The following consumer alert was released with the details of this scam: Consumer Alert: FTC To Reveal Bogus Web Sites Promising You a Cut of the Cash By LISA STARK and KATE BARRETT March 4, 2009— The ink is barely dry on the huge economic stimulus package, and already scam artists are swooping in, promising they can get you some of the $787 billion. On Wednesday the Federal Trade Commission revealed bogus Web sites, hoaxes and other scams that promise to help consumers tap into a chunk of the money. "They're running ads all over the Internet, both on live streaming sites, through search engines, social networks," Eileen Harrington, acting director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, said today on "Good Morning America." Harrington called this "a particularly pernicious kind of scam" given the economic climate. "Times are tough for a lot of people," she said. "This stimulus bill is intended to really get the economy moving again, not to be used as a vehicle for fraudsters to line their pockets. That is not what the bill's about." Think you've been scammed? File a complaint or get free information on consumer issues at ftc.gov/complaint or call 877-FTC-Help (877-382-4357) Received an email from someone claiming to be from the IRS asking for your personal information? Forward it to phishing@irs.gov and delete without opening attachments or clicking on links. Scams to Watch Out For "Congratulations, free money," some ads proclaim. Others pledge to inform consumers "how to get $12,000" in exchange for paying a small fee or revealing personal information like Social Security numbers and bank information that could compromise the security of their financial accounts. Many of the ads even include President Obama -- a move Harrington called a red flag. "President Obama is not endorsing websites that ask you to send $1.99 or $3.99 to get information about how you can get part of the stimulus pie," Harrington said. "Not happening." According to the FTC, the scam may tempt you in two forms. You may be asked to enter personal information online, to open attachments or to click on links -- all of which could make you vulnerable to identity theft rather than help you access stimulus money. Others scams may ask you to pay a small fee, with your credit card, for more information about accessing government grants. "You think you're getting free info about free government money," Harrington said. "Instead you wind up owing over $1,000 by being enrolled in some scheme that doesn't give you any money or grant or anything except heartache and headache." Advice this morning from the FTC is to ignore online messages offering you stimulus money in exchange for personal information -- ignore it, delete it, throw it out. Meantime, the FTC advises consumers to carefully monitor their credit card statements if they think they've been scammed. It's not yet clear how many people have already been taken in, but in these tough economic times the lure of easy money may be hard to resist. "We're in an economically challenging time, and really anyone I think who is feeling the pressure that the economic situation has brought on could fall victim to this," Harrington said. Copyright © 2009 ABC News Internet Ventures

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Naval Academy Summer Seminar
Posted by: Dan Burton (03-06-2009, 08:54 AM)

The United States Naval Academy has announced that their application process is now open for the Naval Academy Summer Seminar (NASS). During 3 one-week sessions in late May and early June, rising seniors will experience all aspects of the Naval Academy, including the academic program and midshipmen life. Students will also receive an overview of Navy and Marine Corps service options. The U.S. Naval Academy encourages high school juniors with leadership potential to apply for NASS. Until March 31st, the NASS application is available online at http://www.usna.edu/Admissions/nass. If you should have additional questions please contact Elizabeth Tapia of my staff at 800-382-6020 or 317-848-0201.

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