October 20, 2017

Working for you!

 

UW Colleges Restructure

Early Monday morning I had the chance to discuss the plan to restructure Wisconsin’s two-year UW campuses on public radio. You can listen to my thoughts on the initiative to pair campuses like UW-Fox Valley and UW-Fond du Lac with regional universities like UW-Oshkosh here: https://www.wpr.org/listen/1175146 

The Board of Regents is gathering feedback about the restructure online prior to their vote on the proposal. To learn more about the restructure and comment on it, visit: https://www.wisconsin.edu/uw-restructure/

Committee Update

This was another busy week at the Capitol for me with the Assembly committees on Health, Financial Institutions, and Housing and Real Estate meeting.

You can find more information about my committee work by visiting the following links:

Assembly Committee on Health

Assembly Committee on Financial Institutions

Assembly Committee on Housing and Real Estate

Enrolled Agents

On Wednesday I enjoyed a visit from Appleton Enrolled Agents. The IRS describes what enrolled agents are on their website:

“An enrolled agent is a person who has earned the privilege of representing taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service by either passing a three-part comprehensive IRS test covering individual and business tax returns, or through experience as a former IRS employee. Enrolled agent status is the highest credential the IRS awards. Individuals who obtain this elite status must adhere to ethical standards and complete 72 hours of continuing education courses every three years.

“Enrolled agents, like attorneys and certified public accountants (CPAs), have unlimited practice rights. This means they are unrestricted as to which taxpayers they can represent, what types of tax matters they can handle, and which IRS offices they can represent clients before.”

Be Cyber Secure this October (and Year-round)

It’s cyber security month and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is releasing a new tip every weekday. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter to get these important cyber security tips and much more. Here are the tips from this past week:

Monday, 10/16. Email and text message spam and scams

The terms "scam" and "spam" are almost interchangeable when it comes to email and text messages. Spam messages are junk bulk emails or texts that you receive without permission. The senders may be hocking "get rich quick" schemes and questionable products or they could be looking to get you to turn over personal or credit information (a practice known as "phishing" for data). Either way, you're ripped off.

Did we mention that the messages can also transmit malware?

Simply put, if you get an odd email or text message out of the blue, delete it and take no further action. There is a lot to cover on email and text spam, so your best resource is our DATCP fact sheet: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Publications/Spam284.aspx

Tuesday, 10/17. Microsoft is NOT calling. Watch for computer tech support scams

If you receive a call out of the blue claiming that your computer has a virus and that the caller can help you get rid of it, hang up immediately. It's a scam. The callers often falsely claim to represent Microsoft or a local tech support company to gain the consumer's trust. They tell the consumer that they can remove the (non-existent) virus from their computer for a fee. The caller asks the victim to download software from the internet that grants them remote access to the system.

If you allow these scammers to access your computer, they can load any number of malicious software programs onto your machine and they may access your files as well. If you give them your credit card number to pay for their "services," you can expect to get ripped off there too. This is typically a phone-based scam, but also shows up in online pop-up messages saying you have a computer virus and telling you to call them for help. Don't do it.

Wednesday, 10/18. That amazing, unbelievable online rental ad? Beware.

As always, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. If you are looking online for a rental property and find an unreal deal, be very, very cautious.

Scammers use information from real estate listings to post fraudulent apartment or home rental ads on Craigslist and other online sites. They may "rent out" a property that they don't own to multiple people, taking security deposits and first month's rents from all of these parties. Their listings may also be ploys to get you to pay for a credit report service…the scammers get a commission if you do.

Craigslist offers these two simple tips on their website: "Do not rent or purchase sight-unseen – that amazing 'deal' may not exist" and "Refuse background/credit checks until you have met landlord/employer in person." 

Thursday, 10/19. Think before you post

Your fun-filled vacation photos could cause your grandma to get ripped off.

Why? Criminals can use the information you share on social media sites to create a narrative that they weave into their scams.

Consider the infamous "grandparent scam," where elderly citizens are called by a scammer claiming to be the person's grandchild. The "grandchild" says they are on vacation, were in an accident, and need an immediate wire transfer to get out of jail or the hospital. Your social media account could provide a tremendous amount of information for a scammer to use in their ploy, such as your name, family members' names, where you live and if you are away from home.

Remember those fun-filled pics I mentioned? By viewing your profile, the scammer knows you are away on vacation in ____ with your best friend ____. They can fill in the blanks, making for a much more believable con.

It's OK to share with friends and family on social media, but adjust the privacy settings for your accounts to block your content from strangers. Also, remember that sensitive information such as names, birth dates and Social Security numbers posted to social media accounts can be used by scammers to steal your identity. 

Friday, 10/20. Imposter scams

Many criminals are using government agency names or "look-alikes" in recent email and phone scams, hoping to add legitimacy to their ploys. Have you gotten a threatening call demanding money from someone claiming to be with the IRS? That's a regularly used con. Did you get an email from "State Court" about a required appearance? That's another one (do NOT open the attachment in one of these emails!).

But it's not just government agencies whose identities are misused. Scammers falsely claiming to represent the local utility company, regularly call consumers and businesses and make threats that they will cut off the electrical service if the call recipient doesn't make an immediate payment. And our tip on Tuesday covered calls from fake tech support representatives looking for money for "repairs" and access to victim's computers.

Don't fall for these scams. Delete the emails and hang up on these callers. They want your money, your personal information, or to infect your computer with malware. If you question the legitimacy of a communication from a business or governmental agency, contact DATCP's Consumer Protection Hotline (800-422-7128) or call the misrepresented agency directly to inquire (but don't use the phone number that was provided in the questionable message!). 

Badger Tailgating

Saturday was a fun day at UW System President Ray Cross’ house where we tailgated before the Wisconsin vs. Purdue football game and discussed upcoming issues impacting Wisconsin higher education. Joining me are (left to right) my son-in-law Brad Chandler, my son Pat Murphy, and my brother Jerry Murphy.

Brake for Deer

The DNR is encouraging drivers to exercise additional caution as the white-tailed deer breeding season begins. The fall breeding season coincides with the highest rate of deer-vehicle collisions each year as deer begin to move around substantially more.

The Deer Donation Program provides a great opportunity for hunters to help families in need.

October 31st is the deadline to purchase a 2018 Lake Winnebago sturgeon spearing license. DNR fisheries biologists are forecasting and exciting season.

Request a Wisconsin 2017-18 Blue Book

The new almanac of Wisconsin state government is now available and I’m dropping off as many of the books as possible in person, so if you request one, you might just get a visit from me as well.

The 2017-18 Blue Book is now available online and can be read here: https://legis.wisconsin.gov/lrb/publications/wisconsin-blue-book/

To request a complimentary hardcopy of the Blue Book, visit my webpage and fill out the Blue Book request form. The book will also available online soon.

Wisconsin Capitol 100th Anniversary Gala

This year marks the 100th anniversary of our beautiful State Capitol building. In honor of this anniversary, the Wisconsin Historical Foundation is throwing a once in a lifetime gala to benefit the Capitol Restoration Fund. Learn more about the event and purchase tickets by clicking on the image below:

Check out other upcoming events near us by visiting the Wisconsin Tourism website, and if you run into me while you’re out and about be sure to stop and say hi!

"Like" Representative Murphy's Facebook Page

I have a Facebook page so I can continually engage with you on important topics facing the state. Please like it by clicking here!

I use Facebook to update constituents more frequently on my work in Madison and the 56th Assembly District. I look forward to using this as another way to connect with constituents and encourage you to follow it and watch for regular updates.

"Like" Representative Murphy's

Official Facebook Page

 

Welcome!

I live in Greenville, but have an office at the State Capitol in Madison. If you are in downtown Madison, please feel free to stop by and say hello! Just go to the information desk in the rotunda, and they can direct you on how to find my office, 318 North. At the bottom of each e-update, you'll see my office contact information.

If your school or group plans to tour the Capitol building, please let me know in advance. I'd love to visit with you for a few minutes and take a group photo.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.

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Rep.Murphy@legis.wisconsin.gov State Capitol Room 318 North - PO Box 8953, Madison, WI 53708 Toll Free: (888) 534-0056 or (608) 266-7500