What can you do if you get malware or your email is hacked?

The Federal Trade Commission has created a website - OnGuardOnline.gov - which provides information about how to prevent your computer from getting malware and also gives instruction about what to do if your computer is infected with malware or your email account gets hacked. OnGuardOnline provides specific information about:

• safely disposing of your mobile device or old computer
• avoid, detect, or remove viruses or other malware
• computer security
• the risks of P2P file sharing

You can also download an article about online safety here.  Below are two videos from OnGuardOnline.

 What to do if your email has been hacked:



What to do if you get malware on your computer:

Upcoming Library Programs

Would you like to learn more about your ipad or iphone, try chair yoga, or try tai chi? These are just a few of the upcoming Pasco library programs. The Friends of the Library sponsors our programs.  Here are some of the upcoming library programs for Older Adults in Pasco County:

Sat, March 21st from 10:00am - 3:00pm
     Big Outdoor Booksale
     New River Library
The Friends of the New River Library will be hosting a large outdoor book sale tomorrow from 10:00 am to 3:00pm. We will have several drawings for prizes- including a gift basket and a signed book by New York Times bestselling author, Tess Gerritsen.
New River Library
34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills, FL 33543
(813) 788-6375

Tuesday, March 24th at 1:00pm
   Hospice and End Of Life Issues
   Hugh Embry Library

Presented free by Patty Sutton, Community Outreach Advocate with Gulfside Hospice & Pasco Palliative Care. Learn about Advance Care Directives, and much more.
Hugh Embry Library
14215 Fourth Street, Dade City, FL 33523 
(352) 567-3576


Wed, March 25th at 10:00am
    iOS (Apple) and Ebooks
    Land O'Lakes Library
Come bring your favorite iOS device (ipad, ipod, or iphone) and learn how to read e-books on it. We will also highlight some exciting apps for iOS devices!
Land O'Lakes Library
2818 Collier Parkway
Land O'Lakes, FL 34639
(813) 929-1214

Hugh Embry Library
14215 Fourth Street, Dade City, FL 33523 
(352) 567-3576

Thursdays at 11:00am
    SHINE Medicare Help
     New River Library
A SHINE volunteer (Serving the Health Information Needs of Elders) will help people with their Medicare enrollment questions.
New River Library
34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills, FL 33543
(813) 788-6375

Thursday, March 26th at 11:30am
   Chair Yoga
   Regency Park Library
Chair Yoga taught by Tricia Gibbs from Flow Yoga; for adults.
Regency Park Library
9701 Little Road
New Port Richey 34654
(727) 861-3049

Friday, March 27th at 11:00am      
Tai Chi       
Hudson Regional Library  
Tai Chi is often described as moving meditation. The Taoist Tai Chi Society is back to instruct you in this therapeutic and healthful ancient Chinese martial art. This program is ongoing for four separate weekly sessions: Fridays, March 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. To participate, please sign up at the Reference Desk or by calling 727-861-3040. Please consult with a physician before starting any exercise program. This is a free program, sponsored by the Friends of Hudson Library.  
Hudson Regional Library 
8012 Library Road, Hudson, FL 34667 
(727) 861-3040

Also, many branches offer book discussions.

Florida Elderly Mortgage Assistance Program

In 2010, the U.S. Treasury department created the Housing Finance Agency "Hardest-Hit Fund" to help people avoid foreclosure after housing prices plummeted. Part of the money from the Hardest-Hit Fund is allocated to the Florida Elderly Mortgage Assistance Program (ELMORE). This program helps senior homeowners who have a reverse mortgage and are behind on their property taxes, homeowners’ insurance, flood insurance, and homeowners’ and/or condo association dues (property charges). The fund pays these property charges to the homeowners' reverse mortgage servicer.

The ELMORE program can provide up to $25,000 to help seniors avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes, if they are are in arrears on their reverse mortgage. You can find out more about the ELMORE at this website:

http://www.floridaelmore.org/

or call 1-(800) 601-3534 

The Area Agencies on Aging will be helping seniors to gather the documents they need to apply for the program. Note: there is no fee to apply for the ELMORE program. To contact the Area Agency on Aging for Pasco-Pinellas, please call 1-800-963-5337 or 727-217-8111.

IRS Tips to Help You Choose a Tax Preparer

 

The IRS  recently published a list of tips to help choose a tax preparer. These tips include:

• Check the preparer's qualifications - All paid tax preparers are required to have a Preparer Tax Identification Number or PTIN. You can use the search tool here to check a preparer's credentials.
• Check the Better Business Bureau to see if the preparer has a history of complaints from clients.
• Ask the preparer to e-file your return.
• Never sign a blank tax return.

You can read the full article here.

Alternatively, you can find free tax help in Pasco county through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program. The TCE program helps those who are 60 years of age and older and they specialize in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors. You can look for nearby sites for help by going to this webpage: Free-Tax-Return-Preparation-for-You-by-Volunteers or by calling 211 (the Pasco County United Way helpline).