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Question: I got a phone call saying that the IRS is building a case against me and to call back immediately. This is the first I am hearing of it. Should I call back?
Answer: No. This common IRS impersonation scam is rising anew, as Kokua Line readers attest and the federal tax agency confirms. The Internal Revenue Service put out a news release warning taxpayers and tax professionals that fraud attempts are increasing as the new filing season opens, with rip-off attempts by email and phone especially pervasive.
If you were actually delinquent, the IRS would have first sent you a bill by mail. The fact that a threatening phone call is your first contact flags this as a fraud attempt. Learn more about common tax scams at 808ne.ws/scamirs.
Q: A while back (808ne.ws/1418kline) you were talking about child abuse; does that notification law apply to church employees who work with children, too?
A: Yes, the general provisions of Hawaii’s “mandated reporter” apply to church employees, said Ke‘opu Reelitz, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Human Services. The law, Chapter 350 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires people in certain lines of work to immediately report suspected child neglect or abuse to DHS or to the police.
There may be privacy exemptions that apply in certain cases, she said, but generally the law applies broadly to professionals who interact with children and suspect neglect or abuse.
Reelitz emphasized that anyone may report suspected abuse, regardless of whether they are required by law to do so.
“Individuals who believe a child’s safety is at risk by anyone — whether a teacher, caregiver, parent or someone else — should immediately report their concerns to us or to law enforcement. If the suspected abuse or neglect does not fall under the department’s jurisdiction, we will refer it immediately to law enforcement, and vice versa,” Reelitz said.
Q: How do they decide where to have those recycling events?
A: “Going Green” community recycling events are held where schools, churches or other community groups are willing to host them. That means providing an appropriate location and enough volunteers to unload the cars as people drive through and drop off their stuff. Any group interested in hosting may contact coordinator Rene Mansho at 291-6151 or renemansho@hawaii.rr.com.
Q: Regarding the ambulance fee, who pays when a homeless person who has no insurance and no money is taken by ambulance to the hospital?
A: “No matter who you are, if you don’t have insurance to cover and you don’t pay your bill, then the taxpayers absorb the costs,” said Shayne Enright, spokeswoman for the Honolulu Emergency Services Department.
Mahalo
On Thursday when I went outside my apartment, a strong wind shut the door. I tried hard to open it, but it was locked. I went to the front of the building to see if someone passing by had a cellphone. I saw a lady across the street chasing rubbish cans that had blown away. When she came back I asked if she had a cellphone. She did not, but she said she had a phone at home and would call wherever I wanted. I gave her my grandson’s phone number. He has a key to my apartment and came over right away. I want to thank this lady. She helped so much. Her name is Faye. Mahalo to Faye, who made my day. — G.H.
Mahalo
On Dec. 22 we were at Koko Marina theater. I dropped some cash, folded in a rubber band, somewhere on the premises. When I checked with the manager, he returned the money to me. An anonymous person had turned it in. It’s reassuring to know that honesty and integrity are alive and well. Mahalo nui loa to my anonymous friend. May you live long and prosper. — R.D.
Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
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