UTAHNS BEWARE: CON ARTISTS HAVE UPGRADED TO Y2K SCAMS
They've been expected, and they're here: Scam artists are using Y2K as a ploy to get at people and their money. The Utah Division of Consumer Protection says it hasn't seen any complaints from Utah residents yet, but the division is noting problems in other areas.One scam involves a caller posing as a representative for the recipient's credit card company. The caller says the company is sending out replacement strips to stick over the magnetic stripe on the backs of credit cards to ward off Y2K problems. The card holder is then asked for their account number for verification.
Another scam, also perpetuated over the telephone, has a caller claiming to be a bank representative wanting the bank customer to transfer specially-designed bond accounts immune to Y2K glitches.
Consumer Protection Division Director Francine Giani advises: "Never give account information over the phone, and realize that a bank or credit card company isn't going to contact you asking for your account number, because they already have it."
Suspicious calls should be reported to 801-530-6601.
ENTREPRENEUR PAULA NELSON TO SPEAK AT WESTMINSTER
Author, commentator and business entrepreneur Paula Nelson, known to millions from her commentary on CNN Business News and Today, will speak at Westminster College as part of the 1999 Weldon J. Taylor Executive Lecture Series. Nelson will speak on "Business and Money," Thursday, April 1, at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Bill and Vieve Gore School of Business.
Nelson is the author of four books on excellence, success, and economic freedom. She will offer perspectives on what it takes to be successful -- building on strengths rather than desperately trying to cope with weaknesses.
For more information contact: Dana Tumpowsky or Anne Macdonald at 801-464-4319.
FEDERAL GRANTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ENERGY-SAVING PROGRAMS
The Department of Energy Invention and Innovations Program is offering grants up to $100,000 for programs or projects that target elimination of industrial waste, energy conservation, or innovative ways to use current technology in processing waste productively.
Local industries or persons interested in submitting proposals for these grants should contact Carol Weir at 801-538-8690 or 1-800-662-3633.
DOE grant funding proposals are submitted directly to the U.S. Department of Energy. Pre-proposals are due to DOE on April 2, 1999. A copy of the pre-proposal format can be obtained through the Office of Energy Services, 324 S. State, Suite 500, Salt Lake City, UT 84111.
W.V. CHAMBER MAKES SWITCH TO A MORE INCLUSIVE NAME
What was the Valley West Chamber of Commerce has officially changed its name and logo.
The new name for the chamber will be the West Valley-Taylorsville-Kearns Chamber of Commerce.
Pam Ostmark, chamber president and chief executive officer, said the name change was necessary because the old name left people confused regarding what area the chamber represents.