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TODAYS TOP STORIES
Holiday Shopping Safety
Holiday shopping season is almost here and that means holiday crime could be around the corner. December is Identity Theft Prevention and Awareness Month. The Executive Vice President and Sales Manager for the Oklahoma City region of Arvest Bank, Becky Franklin says December is also the most common time of the year for identity crimes to occur. However, there are ways to protect yourself and your money.
Sara Ciccolari-Micaldi plans to do some shopping for her loved ones this holiday season.
"My family, my boyfriend, my friends and that's about it," said Sara. "And my dog of course."
But Sara did not know holiday shopping could leave her more prone to holiday crime if she's not careful.
"I should be more careful, but I'm not particularly concerned, no," said Sara.
"It's a horrible thing and it's horrible for someone to have to go through," said Becky Franklin of Arvest Bank.
Becky Franklin who works for Arvest Bank says December is the worst time of the year for identity crimes.
"Identity theft wise, I've known several people that it takes them years to get back to the point they were before the theft occurred," said Becky.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, more than 11-million people in the nation fall victim to ID theft each year. But there are ways to protect yourself. First, stay alert when you shop.
"They're watching to see if they can figure out what your pin number is for your check card or they're watching to take your cash," said Becky.
If you have a wallet, put it in your front pocket, instead of your back pocket. If you have a purse, wear the strap across your body. That way, it's less likely to be stolen from you.
"At least it gives you a little more control," said Becky. "If it's across your body, they can't just drag it off your arm and walk off."
Before you spend your money online, make sure the website is safe.
"Because online, it is very easy for them to get your information if you're not on a secure website," said Becky.
Now that Sara knows the potential risks, she plans on protecting herself while she shops.
"I'll keep my cards a little closer to me and I'll be more careful," said Sara.
If you'd like to learn more about protecting yourself from identity theft, go to this website: http://m.usa.gov/usa/topics/money/identity-theft/prevention
MARISA MENDELSON
FOX 25 - INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER
MLMENDELSON@OKCFOX.COM
Posted: Friday, November 16 2012, 09:40 PM CST
IN OKLAHOMA NEWS
Major accomplishments of 2013 Oklahoma Legislature
May 24, 2013 23:22 GMT
Eds: With BC-OK-XGR--Oklahoma Legislature
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Major items passed by the Oklahoma Legislature, which was working Friday to wrap up its 2013 session:
-- Tax Cut: Lawmakers adopted legislation that reduces the state's top income rate from 5.25 percent to 5 percent beginning Jan. 1, 2015, with a second cut to 4.85 percent set for 2016 if state revenues continue to rise. The measure has been signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin.
-- State Capitol Improvements: The tax cut bill also diverts $120 million in income tax revenue over the next two years to a fund that will finance improvements and repairs to the State Capitol building. Built between 1914 and 1917, yellow barricades now ring the building's south plaza to keep pedestrians from walking beneath pieces of a limestone facade that has crumbled from the building.
-- Budget Bill: The Legislature adopted a $7.1 billion general appropriations bill to fund state government for the fiscal year that begins July 1. The bill increases spending by nearly $270 million over the current year's budget, with funding growth focused mostly on education, health care and human services.
-- Worker's Compensation: Fallin signed legislation to overhaul the state's workers' compensation system. The measure changes Oklahoma's current court-based system to an administrative structure. Supporters say the change will dramatically reduce workers' compensation costs to businesses.
-- CompSource: Lawmakers also passed a measure that converts the nonprofit CompSource Oklahoma into an independent mutual company that will be known as CompSource Mutual Insurance Company. The agency writes about one-third of Oklahoma's workers' compensation policies.
-- Rainy Day Appropriation: Within days of devastating tornadoes that struck Moore, Shawnee and other areas, lawmakers approved using $45 million from the state's constitutional reserve fund to help communities recover from the damage. Among other things, the money will help pay for repairs to local infrastructure damaged by the tornadoes and the overtime costs of first responders. A total of 24 people, including 10 children, died in the Moore tornado and two other people were killed in the Shawnee tornado.
-- Pension Changes: Lawmakers passed legislation to reduce the unfunded liability of Oklahoma's pension system for firefighters. The bill requires new firefighters to be at least 50 years old and have worked for 22 years, instead of the current 20 years, to be eligible for benefits. New firefighters also would not become vested until they had worked for 11 years, instead of the current 10 years. The bill also increases the amount that firefighters, municipalities and the state pay into the system each year.
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