With tax season in full swing, cyber criminals are looking for an opportunity to steal your personal information and credentials. Here are some common tactics to watch for this year:

Email/Text Messages:
The IRS warns that cyber criminals may send you an email using the IRS logo with subject lines like “Action Required: Your account has now been put on hold.” It asks people to click to update their account immediately or they will be barred from filing tax returns.

However, the IRS does not send emails or text messages. If you receive an email or text from the IRS, it is a scam. The IRS also will not send taxpayers messages via social media platforms.

Phone:

Another common scam is when someone calls you pretending to be an IRS agent. The phone call may be about a real or false tax payment, and the caller will threaten you with arrest if you don't pay them immediately. Criminals can fake or "spoof" caller ID numbers to appear to be anywhere in the country, including from an IRS office, so they can appear to be a legitimate source.

It is important to note that the IRS does not leave pre-recorded, urgent, or threatening messages.

Video:

Scammers are also using phishing by video, also known as Vishing, to try to steal personal information. Cyber criminals will pretend to offer a helping hand by posing as someone from a "tax help center" hoping to schedule a video counseling session about your tax debt.

Safety Tips

• Cyber criminals attempt to come across as trusted sources, so the best advice is to be careful and pay attention to anything that seems out of the ordinary or suspicious.
• Your safest option is to directly call your bank or the IRS before you click on any links or provide any personal information regarding your finances.
• If you’re using a tax service, be sure to do some research to ensure the service is legitimate.
• If you feel you have been targeted using an IRS scam tactic, contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting.

• H.R. 7359 - Stop Fentanyl Border Crossings Act
• H.Res. 1026 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that any Member of the House who makes a public statement advocating for defunding the police should not be permitted to use Federal funds to contract with a private entity for security personnel support, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 7364 - To permit policyholders under the National Flood Insurance Program to elect to have previous premium rates remain in effect until the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency satisfies certain conditions, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 7366 - To ban the imposition of any State or local liability insurance, tax, or user fee requirement for firearm or ammunition ownership or commerce.
• H.Res. 1020 - Condemning the Biden administration's plans for seeking to remove sanctions on the oppressive Maduro regime and negotiating with Iran in response to the crisis in Ukraine, and instead calling for Congress and the administration to support the production of American energy.
• H.R. 7330 - To require annual reports on the military capabilities of Iran-backed entities and the impact of lifted sanctions on such capabilities, prohibit the availability of Federal funds to such entities, and for other purposes.

Friends,

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has finally had enough of Biden’s open border policies, allowing thousands of illegal immigrants to flow over the southern border and into Texas. After Biden announced the end of Title 42 restrictions this week, which will worsen the situation, Abbott said he would begin busing illegals to Washington DC. 

I wholeheartedly agree with the Governor’s plans. Texas has been bearing the brunt of this border crisis for too long. If Biden wants to allow illegals into the U.S., then he should figure out how to house them in his own community, not ours. 

But I want to hear from you!

Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, over 650,000 high school students have been involved with the nationwide competition.

Students submit entries to their representative’s office, and panels of district artists select the winning entries. Winners are recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, DC.

The over-all winner of our district's competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. The exhibit in Washington will also include artwork from other contest winners nation-wide.

• Artwork can be no larger than 26”x26” X 4” and cannot weigh more than 15 pounds including the frame (only winning artwork requires a frame)
• Artwork must meet  suitability and originality guidelines
• Artwork must have the “Student Information and Release Form” with the submission along with proper signatures
• Winning artwork is displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the United States Capitol building in Washington D.C. for 11 months
• Artwork winning 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th will be displayed in the district offices of Congressman Randy Weber for 11 months 

What prizes will my winner get?

The artwork for the winning student from each District will be displayed in the Cannon Tunnel for 11 months.

As a Congressional Art District First Place winner, one may be eligible to receive a $3,000 per year scholarship to SCAD, (Savannah College of Art and Design) should one apply and be accepted for enrollment. Accepted students may be eligible for additional scholarships based on their academic credentials, documented awards and recognition, extracurricular activities, volunteer or professional experience, and talents.

Submissions are due April 22^nd with judging the following week and reception TBD.

For more information visit: https://weber.house.gov/constituent-services/arts-competition.htm