Keeping children Safe Online

The internet is such an omnipresent part of modern life that it comes as second nature to our children. While many of us are still getting to grips with the online world, children are born into it.

This can be a great thing. If a curious child has a question, the answer is only ever a Google search away. Naturally, however, this is not always a good thing. Anything that can be used for good can also be exploited – especially where children are concerned. There is a fine line between innocence and naivety.

It’s important that we keep our children safe online. Thankfully, even though the internet can appear to resemble a lawless Wild West at times, there are a number of steps that we can take to do just this. Check out the great links at the bottom.

Important Conversations to Have With Our Children

Some children may take the internet for granted, not understanding the risks found throughout the online world. Ensure that you explain the dangers of the internet to your children.

There are three particularly pivotal pieces of advice that must be imparted to our children.

·         Not everybody online is who they claim to be. The internet hosts a great many people pretending to be somebody else. This may just be for fun, or it could have a more sinister intent. Online Sense provides useful advice on how to identify an online predator. If you have any reason to believe that your child is at risk of exploitation online, report the behavior to the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children.

·         Everything posted on the internet is permanent. Your child will need to understand that the internet never forgets. Just take a look at various instances of social media posts coming back to haunt public figures in recent times. Our Children, a division of the national PTA, explains this is in greater detail. Explain to you child that they must always think carefully before posting anything on the internet.

·         The internet is filled with amateur detectives. Children need to understand that even the most innocuous piece of information can reveal their identity. Kids Health offers child-friendly advice on how to choose an online identity that cannot be traced. If information surrounding your child’s identity falls into the wrong hands, their address or personal contact details could follow. This will obviously result in their safety being compromised.

General Online Safety Advice and Resources

There is no shortage of information and guidance on how to keep children safe online. There are also a number of charities and private companies working tirelessly in this area. For more information on how to keep children safe online, take a look at some of these resources.

·         Enough is Enough is a charity dedicated to preventing children from gaining access to online pornography and other harmful material.

·         NetSmartz provides child-friendly advice on how to use the internet safely.

·         Web Wise Kids offers personal accounts of compromised internet safety, and general advice for staying safe.

·         The United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team discusses the dangers that could appear to children online. It’s a dry read, but an important one.

·         Wired Safety is a densely populated site dedicated to all elements of online safety for children. TeenAngels is operated by the same team, and will appeal to older children.

·         Common Sense Media review various applications, websites and forms of media, explaining whether they are safe for children.

Safety on Social Media

When parents think of social media, they usually consider the Big Three networking sites.

·         Facebook has a community guideline policy in place, which largely keeps children safe. Most interactions will also take place on a public wall, which you can monitor. The site also has a private messenger facility similar to email, but this can be disabled.

·         Instagram is entirely picture-based, and does not have a private messaging facility. This means that you will be able to see all of your child’s interactions, and keep an eye on them.

·         Twitter is a tougher site to keep on top of. Many young people use Twitter to communicate, and they even attempt with their favorite celebrities on the platform. To keep your child safe, you can mute particular words from appearing in their feed, and block certain accounts from interacting with – or even seeing – your child’s profile. Also explain that somebody in the public eye should have a blue tick by their name. This is called verification.

There are new social media sites cropping up every day, however. Some of the other popular sites and apps that should be approached with caution include:

·         What’sApp is a text messaging platform that’s very popular with young people, as it enables picture messages to be exchanged for free. What’sApp messages can be encrypted, and easily hidden. It’s inadvisable for any child younger than a teen has access to What’sApp, and even then, it should be monitored.

·         Snapchat is potentially hugely dangerous.This is a social media platform that enables pictures to be sent to users, which are then deleted almost immediately. If somebody knows your child’s Snapchat username, they can send them a message of whatever they wish. TeenSafe sheds more light onto the dangers of Snapchat.

·         Kik is a new private messagingapp that is becoming increasingly popular. According to Common Sense Media, it is very unsafe for vulnerable people. The British website Net Aware appears to back up this view, claiming that the site leaves children exposed to a high risk of sexual exploitation and above average risk of bullying, violence and criminal activity.

When monitoring your child’s messages, it may initially look like a foreign language that you do not speak. The internet comes with its own long list of shorthand acronyms. Smart Words compiles a list of these. Some of them are truly terrifying to a parent. Learn them well, and understand what your children are saying online – and just as importantly, what people are saying to them.

Gaming and Video Content Online

Many young people now access all of their entertainment online. Streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hulu have replaced hard copy media such as DVDs for most teenagers.

That can make it easier for children to access material that you would rather they didn’t, even with adult filter blocks in place. Would you really be comfortable with your tween watching Game of Thrones, or Orange is the New Black? Techwiser explains how set parental controls on your video streaming sites.

In addition to this, you should also keep an eye on video upload sites that your child may be using. YouTube is commonplace, but there are many others that you may not be familiar with. Check if your child is watching live streams of video games on Twitch, for example. It may sound like pulling teeth to you, but children and teens love it!

On the subject of video games, many young people play online with strangers. Monitor your child while they do this, and ensure they are not spending too much time online. Popular blog The Dadcade shares insights on how to keep your child safe while they play games online.

Blocking Content on the Internet

If you are concerned about what your child is looking at online, you can block particular sites. Your child may need to use Wikipedia for their homework, for example, but why would they need to look at an adult dating site?

·         Techwalla explains how to block particular searches in Google and other popular search engines.

·         Tech Radar lists the many and varied pieces of software that parents can use to monitor and block sites that their children may be accessing.

·         Clean Browsing offers general advice on blocking adult content from your internet browser.

Cyber Bullying

Many children struggle with bullying online. This can be a very serious problem, as in the modern age of smartphones and tablets there can be no escape from targeted harassment. There are a number of resources dedicated to helping your recognize, and prevent, cyber bullying. These include:

·         Cyberbully.org is a charity that works tirelessly to put a stop to this harmful behavior.

·         CyberBullyHelp is a site dedicated to offering advice on this problem.

·         The Cyberbulling Research Center breaks down research on patterns and behaviors that surround online harassment.

·         That’s Not Cool is a site that specializes in informing children as to what is appropriate behavior on the internet.

If your child complains about being bullied on the internet, take it seriously. It’s not as simple as just not going online. The web is too commonplace for this.

Useful Links

Please see below for a summary of the links that we have discussed throughout this article.

·         Common Sense Media – www.commonsensemedia.org

·         Cyberbully – www.cyberbully.org

·         CyberBullyHelp – www.cyberbullyhelp.com

·         Cyberbullying Research Center – www.cyberbullying.org

·         The Dadcade – www.thedadcade.com

·         Enough is Enough – www.enough.org

·         Kids Health – www.kidshealth.org

·         Natl Center of Missing and Exploited Children – www.missingkids.org

·         NetSmartz – www.netsmartz.org

·         Online Sense – www.onlinesense.org

·         Our Children – www.ptaourchildren.org

·         Smart Words – www.smart-words.org

·         TeenSafe – www.teensafe.com

·         Teen Angels – www.teenangels.org

·         That’s Not Cool – www.thatsnotcool.com

·         US Computer Emergency Readiness Team – www.us-cert.gov

·         Web Wise Kids – www.webwisekids.org

·         Wired Safety – www.wiredsafety.com

Moving tips to make your life so much easier

Moving doesn’t have to be such a mess. Take a look at the 100’s of tips with Pinterest boards I’ve put together for you to minimize the discomfort of moving. Things will be so organized that you won’t have to hunt for anything when you get to your new location.

Follow this link to see how to move and pack like a pro.

Start your move off right. Call Myke Leatham, Brazos County Realty to help you through the entire process. She has years of experience with more than 1000 homes SOLD. If Myke can’t sell your home, NO ONE CAN! ‘Let Myke Help You With Your HOMEwork!’

Check out our website at www.CollegeStationHomes.com. Experience counts when you’re selling one of the biggest investments of your life.

Call Brazos County Realty: 979-693-0201

College Station Real Estate: We sell in the Brazos and all surrounding counties. See up to date listings in the entire Bryan College Station MLS and the Houston MLS.

Home Foundation Issues and what to look for

Home Foundations Issues to Consider when Buying a House

Lighted Beige House

When buying a home, most people consider factors like location, space, condition, and price. Very few home buyers think of the state of the foundation of the home. This is not surprising since buyers are not knowledgeable about the technicalities of home construction. Most are simply interested in finding a place that is comfortable and safe for the family.

However, the foundation is an important factor to consider when buying a home. The foundation makes up the base of the home. It provides the basic support and structure. If you want a property that is stable and will last longer, you have to make sure that the foundation is lasting. Any defect or damage to the foundation can be a major problem. While a leaking ceiling or old electrical wires can be changed, problems with the foundation can be quite serious and can also be very costly to repair.

That is why you should always check home foundations before making a final decision. Here are some tips from the experts of Granite Foundation Repair, a professional repair company in Dallas, on home foundation comparisons and what to look for when purchasing a home:

  1. Do not underestimate the damage.

In general, homes with a foundation problem are sold for 25% less than the original price. In most cases, the cost to repair the foundation can be about 10% of the cost of the home. While you may think you are getting a bargain, you need to know exactly how severe the foundation is and what specific foundation issues you will have to deal with eventually.

A minor crack in the gutter may not sound like a big deal, but an uneven entrance door or a basement that is leaking are major defects that can cost you thousands of dollars to fix. In some cases, the entire home foundation may have to be redone. In such cases, the repair cost can easily go over $100,000. Reconstruction of a home foundation is not an easy undertaking and takes a significant amount of time and money. You need to be sure of the extent of damage before you jump into this.

  1. Get the home professionally inspected
Person Writing on Paper on Top of Table

Always get a home professionally inspected no matter how great it looks. Make sure you get a professional engineer to do it because you need someone who can assess the walls, ceiling, basement, and other structural parts of the house to ensure that the foundation is intact.

  1. This is not your DIY project

Some home buyers think they are getting a home with a foundation problem for peanuts and they will, in turn, save money by fixing the cracks and leaks on their own. But you have to know that a home with foundation problems is not going to be your next DIY project.

No matter how skilled you are at repairing a car, painting, or laying down the tiles, this is not something you should dabble in. Even a small crack needs attention from a structural engineer to ensure that there are no other problems. That is why when you hear the words ‘minor’ faults, keep in mind that no matter how minor if it’s a foundation problem, you should not be the one doing the repairs yourself.

  1. Fix the problems if you want your home insured

To get the home insured you will need to show proof to the insurance company that the home was fixed by a professional. Otherwise, your home will never get insured.

  1. Don’t sign prematurely on the dotted line.
Signature Line on Printer Paper

When you buy a home without a thorough professional inspection and later discover it has a foundation problem, it may be too late to sue the previous buyer. That is why you need to make sure that you are aware of everything related to the property before you sign anything.

In general, getting money to fix a home with a foundation problem can be difficult. Most government loans, banks, and private lenders are not eager to lend money for such a project.

  1. Seller options
Man Wearing White Hard Hat Leaning on Table With Sketch Plans

In many cases, a home seller who knows the home has foundation problem will be eager to make deals and offer you options. The homeowner may get the home fixed before the sale. But, you need to ensure that the repair has been done by an independent professional. You also need to get it checked and verify if the issue has been fixed by hiring your own specialist. Or, the owner may offer you a major reduction in prices, but unless you know what the problem is, don’t accept the offer. You need to know what you’re getting into.

  1. Resale

Homes with foundation problems tend to have a lower resale value even if you have fixed those issues. Keep this mind when making such a decision to sell or buy a home with foundation issues.

When buying a home, it is important to have it evaluated and ensure that it does not have any foundation problems. If it does, and if you still intend to purchase it, make sure you understand the extent of damage and whether you can afford to fix those issues or not.

College Station & Bryan need Volunteers through ‘JustServe’

Here’s another reason why the residence of  Bryan and College Station believe they live in the greatest place on earth!   There is no reason to wait till disasters strike. You can help out with current disaster relief.  Good people don’t wait….. they just serve.

What is JustServe?

JustServe.org is a website where the volunteer needs of organizations may be posted and volunteers may search for places to serve in the community, providing opportunities to help those in need and enhance the quality of life in the community.

JustServe is a service to help link community volunteer needs with volunteers and does not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation in posting projects or in encouraging volunteers to serve according to guidelines

As we enter the holiday season here in Central Texas, keep in mind that there are always things that we can do to help each other and make our community a better place.  For those who want to Give Freely of their Time and Talents, ‘JustServe.org’ is a website designed to help you choose where you would like to volunteer.  The Brazos County has many opportunities to serve, and this website is full of Success stories, projects, and updated lists of organizations who need you right now!  It doesn’t cost a thing.  Why wait for Christmas to give of yourself?

JustServe Community Service Guidelines:

  1. The best service opportunities are collaborative—working side by side with others in faith-based, nonprofit, community, and government organizations.

  2. Community service opportunities should enhance the quality of life in the community and assist the poor and needy.

  3. JustServe projects should not have a political or advocacy focus, be for-profit oriented, or directly involve volunteers in fund-raising or other prohibited activities.

Right now, Baylor Scott & White has a program called ‘Helping Hands‘ that could use a few more selfless loving hands. As a volunteer, there are a variety of much needed service opportunities. They range from lobby assistance to include lobby area maintenance and concierge services, patient assistance to include patient visitation and escort and department assistance to include maintaining wait area organization and non-patient care tasks.  The days/times would be flexible. Days and times are flexible and would fall within a 7 day a week period from 6:00 a.m. until midnight. Days and and times are dependant upon availability..  Do you enjoy people?  Do you like to help others?  Why not consider becoming a volunteer at the Baylor Scott & White Hospital?

Hospice Volunteers-Ongoing

As a volunteer, you can provide assistance in any of the following areas: office support, companionship, bereavement support, pet therapy, Angel Care and Vet to Vet visitation. As a  volunteer you will help fulfill companionship and emotional support roles during a very stressful time for patients and families. Texas Home Health and Hospice will supply you with comprehensive training so that you will have the resources you will need to do your job well, pending a background and reference check, drug screen and TB test.

Special Olympics Texas Fall Farm Carnival

Special Olympics Texas Fall Classic – Farm Carnival is coming to College Station.
Aquatics, Golf, Softball, Bocce, Athlete Village, and Merchandise.
If interested in volunteering, please contact [email protected] or call 512.491.2947 for further information.  Hope to see you there!

Brazos Valley Mobile Food Pantry

The Brazos Valley Food Bank began the Mobile Food Pantry program in 2008 with the goal of bringing fresh, frozen and non-perishable food directly to food deserts – communities with inadequate access to nutritious foods needed to maintain a healthy diet. Currently, the Mobile Food Pantry provides 50-75 lbs. of food a month to approximately 250 food insecure households in Madison and Grimes Counties. To learn more about rural hunger, click here.

Mobile Food Pantries can operate inside a building or outside in the elements and utilize a system called Client Choice that allows individuals to pick the food they want. The flexibility of the structure of a Mobile Food Pantry means the distribution can occur where it is most needed, even if a physical building is not available, and when volunteers are available to run it. The Brazos Valley Food Bank’s current Mobile Food Pantries operate at the County Fairgrounds of each county, one inside and one outside.

The Brazos Valley Food Bank’s Mobile Food Pantries are overseen by Food Bank staff and volunteers who determine individual eligibility for the program and help load food into the vehicles of those in need.  Volunteers are needed to setup, sign clients up, and hand out food. Click on “Get Involved” to learn more about how you can help at the Mobile Food Pantries.

Pass it on, pay it forward, get involved  with volunteer service where you live and reap the blessings.    If your church or charitable organization needs help, why not join Just Serve.  At JustServe, they believe that nothing should get in the way of organizations and volunteers coming together to do good things for the community, so they help make this happen for free.
13464 I and GN Rd.
College Station, TX  77845
Office:  979-693-0201

Hurricane Harvey Disaster Resources Guide

Rusty Adams (Sep 19, 2017) From The Real Estate Center at Texas A&M has put together a refined list of excellent resources if you or your loved ones have been affected by the devastation from the hurricanes.  With their permission I am forwarding it onto my valued readers who may want to reach out and share with others.   My sincere and heartfelt  sympathy for your struggles and loss.  I’m so grateful for the Many Volunteers and sacrifices that people are making to help each other in affected areas. It’s unbelievable!   Your generosity in time, service, and donations is exemplary.   The government can’t help everyone, but here is a list of many available services .
 I’m so proud to be an American at times like this.  Thanks for putting this together Rusty.  Myke Leatham, Broker/Owner Brazos County Realty, LLC

Where to Find Help on the Road to Recovery

Housing

If you need a place to stay, you may be eligible for Transitional Sheltering Assistance for a limited time. A list of participating hotels is at http://www.femaevachotels.com/. You may also be able to stay for free in Texas state parks. Call the park to check availability. For more information, visit https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/park-information/evacuee-parks.

The National Housing Locator System: Disaster Resource Locator, found at https://hudapps.hud.gov/nhls/, may be used to find housing.

Food

Low-income households with food loss or damage caused by a natural disaster may qualify for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP). More information is available at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/get-assistance/forms-of-assistance/5769.

Employment

If you lost your job because of Harvey, you may qualify for Disaster Unemployment Assistance through the Texas Workforce Commission. For more information, visit http://www.twc.state.tx.us/jobseekers/disaster-unemployment-assistance. You may also call weekdays 8 a.m. through 6 p.m. at 800-939-6631.

Filing Insurance Claims

Contact your insurance agent. Be sure to document the damage using photographs or videos, and keep all of your paperwork.

Settlement Practices. The new law (HB 1774) that took effect on September 1, 2017, still penalizes unfair settlement practices on the part of insurance companies (although it doesn’t penalize them quite as harshly). It also tightens up the requirements on the part of the insured, with a view toward preventing fraud. Insurers may require inspection, and the new law penalizes unreasonable demands, which means you should try to obtain an accurate estimate of the damages. The new law does not apply to National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) claims.

Flooded Cars. Whether your loss is covered depends on what type of coverage you purchased. Consult your policy and/or declarations page to see if you are covered, and/or contact your insurance agent or insurance company. Submit photographs of the damage, including pictures of your car in the water. If your car cannot be found, contact law enforcement. It may have been swept away and found elsewhere. 

Crop Insurance. Agricultural producers covered by private crop-hail insurance should contact their insurance agent and submit a notice of loss. Those with multiperil federal crop insurance should follow procedures as set forth at https://www.rma.usda.gov/news/storm/2017/harvey/index.htmland/or https://www.rma.usda.gov/bulletins/managers/2017/mgr-17-013.pdf. The United States Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency has authorized special emergency procedures.

Windstorm Insurance. To report a claim online, visit https://www.twia.org/claimscenter/. Mobile locations are available at Lindale Recreation Center, 3133 Swantner Street in Corpus Christi and GSM Insurors, 102 East Laurel Street in Rockport.

Flood Insurance. Information on filing a flood insurance claim, including the enhanced claims process for Hurricane Harvey, is found at https://www.fema.gov/nfip-file-your-claim. Always follow the requirements to the letter. This is especially true if your policy is backed by the federal government (even if offered through a private company) because the company may not waive policy provisions on a federally backed policy. It is possible that you may qualify for an advance payment, which allows you to start repairs before the adjuster’s inspection.

Make sure you do what you can to prevent the growth and spread of mold. If you don’t, your mold damage may not be covered. Information about cleaning mold may be found at http://www.epa.gov/mold.

Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) Help Line. TDI has posted an informational page on its website, http://www.tdi.texas.gov/consumer/storms/helpafterharvey.html. A help line is also available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends at 800-252-3439.

Insurance Mobile Units. TDI and various insurance companies have set up disaster assistance mobile units for help filing a claim or for questions about claims and coverage. A list of mobile unit locations is at http://www.tdi.texas.gov/consumer/storms/mobileunits.html.

Applying for Disaster Relief

Numerous government disaster-assistance programs are available. A list of some of them is at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/get-assistance/assistance-by-category.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Individuals and Households Program provides financial and direct services to individuals and households who have uninsured or underinsured necessary expenses and serious needs. Information is at https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1502371943459-711a17671708a7ded53f0b22315f2597/FACTSHEETIndividualsandHouseholdIHP.pdf.

President Trump and FEMA announced federal disaster assistance is available. Assistance available for affected individuals and families may include, as required:

  • grants for temporary housing and home repairs;
  • grants for replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary, and functional;
  • grants to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation, and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state, and charitable aid programs; and
  • low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses. 

Assistance available for state and affected local governments may include, as required:

  • payment of some of the costs of debris removal and emergency protective measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health;
  • payment of some of the costs of repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, utilities, buildings, schools, recreational areas, and similar publicly owned property, as well as certain private nonprofit organizations engaged in community service activities; and
  • payment of some of the costs of hazard mitigation projects undertaken by state and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters.

More information is available at https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4332 and at https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2017/08/25/federal-aid-programs-state-texas.

To apply for assistance, register online at https://www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or call 800-621-FEMA (800-621-3362). Applicants with speech disability or hearing loss who use TTY call 800-462-7585. Those who use 711 or VRS, call 800-621-3362. These lines are open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Once you have registered, you will schedule a FEMA inspection. After the inspection, you will receive a FEMA determination letter, notifying you of FEMA’s decision. Read it carefully, and contact FEMA about anything you believe may be an error.

Make sure you use the FEMA money only for disaster-related purposes. Keep good records and keep all of the receipts. You may have to prove that the funds were appropriately used.

FEMA may be followed online at:

FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers. FEMA has set up Disaster Recovery Centers in affected areas. Some of the services may include:

To locate a center near you, visit https://www.fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers.

SBA Disaster Loans. Small businesses, private nonprofit organizations, renters, and homeowners may be eligible for low-interest disaster loans from the Small Business Administration. For more information, visit https://www.sba.gov/disaster-assistance.

Emergency Watershed Program. If your land has suffered severe damage from flooding, you may qualify for the Emergency Watershed Program, which provides recovery assistance. You must contact a local sponsoring authority that will represent you in the process. You may also be eligible for a floodplain easement. To request assistance, find a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Service Center at https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?service=page/CountyMap&state=TX2&stateName=Eastern%20Texas&stateCode=48.

Agriculture. The U.S. Farm Service Agency administers many safety-net programs to help producers recover from eligible losses. These include the Livestock Indemnity Program (https://www.benefits.gov/benefits/benefit-details/5978); Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish Program (https://www.benefits.gov/benefits/benefit-details/5976); Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (https://www.benefits.gov/benefits/benefit-details/352); Tree Assistance Program (https://www.benefits.gov/benefits/benefit-details/5979); and the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/disaster-assistance-program/emergency-forest-restoration/index).

Owners of meat- and poultry-producing businesses who have questions or concerns about food safety may contact the Food Safety and Inspection Service Small Plant Help Desk at 877-FSIS-HELP (877-374-7435) or by email at [email protected] The website is https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/regulatory-compliance/svsp/sphelpdesk.

Individuals who are concerned about food safety may download a brochure about food safety and hurricanes at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/f0c8da84-9a44-4285-9893-8caefa9a23b4/Severe_Storms_and_Hurricanes_Guide.pdf?MOD=AJPERES. Questions may be directed to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854).

Legal Services

The State Bar of Texas has a legal hotline designed to give basic legal answers and connect low-income people with legal aid providers. If you have questions about lost legal documents, insurance, landlord-tenant problems, consumer protection issues (including price-gouging and contractor scams), call the State Bar of Texas legal
hotline at 800-504-7030. The hotline is answered in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese, and callers may leave a message at any time. Qualifying callers may be matched with volunteer lawyers who provide free, limited legal help. More information is available at https://texasbar.com/Content/NavigationMenu/ForThePublic/DisasterReliefResources1/default.htm.

Finding a Lawyer. If you need help finding a lawyer, try the State Bar of Texas Lawyer Referral & Information Service at 800-252-9690. The phone line is manned 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. More information is available at https://texasbar.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Lawyer_Referral_Service_LRIS_. A request may also be made online at https://www.texasbar.com/Content/NavigationMenu/ForThePublic/DoYouNeedaLawyer/LRISOnlineAttorneyReferral/default.htm. An online request will get an automated response, and the attorney you are referred to may not meet your specific requirements. If this happens, call the number listed at the beginning of this section. The Lawyer Referral & Information Service is a way to find an attorney. It is not intended to provide services for a reduced fee or free. You will be expected to pay.

Barratry. Except in certain circumstances, a lawyer may not initiate contact with you to solicit legal employment, nor may they pay nonlawyers to solicit legal employment for them. This is called barratry, and it is a crime. To report barratry, contact local law enforcement, or call the State Bar of Texas at 866-224-5999.

Replacing Lost Documents

Deeds or other Real Estate Records. Contact the county clerk in the county where the real estate is located.

Brand Registrations. Contact the county clerk in the county where the brand is registered.

Birth Certificate, Death Certificate, Verification of Birth, Verification of Death, Verification of Marriage, or Verification of Divorce. Contact the Texas Department of State Health Services—Vital Statistics at https://txapps.texas.gov/tolapp/ovra/index.htm.

Marriage License. Contact the county clerk in the county where you obtained your marriage license. This is not necessarily the county where you got married.

Divorce Decree. Contact the district clerk in the county where you got divorced.

Driver’s License or State Identification Card. Visit your local Department of Public Safety (DPS) office or contact the Texas Department of Public Safety at http://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/replace.htm.

Passport. Contact the U.S. State Department at https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/lost-stolen.html.

Social Security Card. If you have a mySocialSecurity account, you may be able to obtain a replacement card online. To see if you are eligible, go to https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/. To create an account, go to https://secure.ssa.gov/RIR/CatsView.do. If you are not eligible, you must request a replacement by mail or in person. You must be able to prove who you are, your citizenship, and your age. To prove this, you will need one or more of the following: a birth certificate and/or passport, hospital birth record, a religious record made before age five showing your date of birth, driver’s license, state issued ID, employee ID card, school ID card, health insurance card (not including Medicare), and/or U.S. military ID card. To determine what specific documents you need, go to https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/ss5doc.htm. The application is at https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf. Your local office can be found at https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp.

Certificate of Naturalization, Certificate of Citizenship. Applications and instructions may be found at https://my.uscis.gov/helpcenter/article/how-do-i-replace-a-lost-stolen-or-destroyed-certificate-of-naturalization-or-certificate-of-citizenship.

Legal Permanent Resident Card (“Green Card”). An application and instructions may be found at https://www.uscis.gov/i-90.

Medicaid/Texas Benefits Card. To obtain a replacement, a healthcare provider can check the provider website or TexMedConnect to verify eligibility. A provider may also call 800-925-9126. Temporary Medicaid Eligibility Verification Form 1027-A may be obtained in person only at a Health and Human Services benefits office. To find your nearest office, dial 211.

Medicare Card. A replacement may be obtained online at https://secure.ssa.gov/RIL/SiView.do by logging in to your Social Security account. If you do not have a Social Security account, you will have an opportunity to create one. Select “Replacement Documents,” then select “Mail my replacement Medicare Card.” Make sure your address is correct. Replacements take approximately 30 days. Replacements may also be requested by phone from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays at 800-772-1213 or in person at your local Social Security Administration office. Your local office can be found at https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp.

Certificate of Title. Replacement vehicle titles must be ordered by mail or in person. A completed Form VTR-34 must be sent to TxDMV, 1601 Southwest Parkway, Suite A, Wichita Falls, Texas 76302. Enclose a copy of the owner’s valid photo ID and $2 mail-in fee by check, cashier’s check, or money order payable to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. An agent of the owner or lienholder must also provide a letter of signature authority on original letterhead, a business card or a copy of the agent’s employee ID. You may also visit your nearest TxDMV regional service center. For further instructions or to find a regional service center, visit http://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/buying-or-selling-a-vehicle/get-a-copy-of-your-title, or call 888-368-4689.

Statement of Ownership and Location (SOL) for a Manufactured Home. To apply for a new SOL, use the fillable .pdf application at http://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/mh/docs/1023-applsol.pdf. Instructions for filling are found at http://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/mh/docs/1037-applysol.pdf. 

Military Records. Military records may be requested online or by mail by following the instructions found at https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records. 

Federal Income Tax Returns. The IRS Disaster Assistance Hotline is 866-562-5227. You may qualify for a fee waiver and/or expedited service. To order a transcript of a tax return, follow the instructions at https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-4506t, or call 800-908-9946. Further information is available at https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript-faqs. To order a copy of a tax return, use form 4506, found at https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506.pdf. 

Credit Cards. To replace credit cards or statements, contact the issuer. If you need a list of your accounts, you may be able to obtain this information at www.annualcreditreport.com.

Savings Bonds. If a savings bond is lost or destroyed, you may request a substitute, or you may request for it to be cashed. Replacement or reissued bonds will not be replaced with a paper bond. You will receive an electronic bond in TreasuryDirect. Visit https://www.treasurydirect.gov/. You will need the serial number of the bond. If you don’t know it, you may provide the specific month and year of purchase, full name, Social Security number, and mailing address. You will need FS Form 1048, which is available for download at https://www.treasurydirect.gov/forms/sav1048.pdf. You may also request a form to be mailed to you by calling 844-284-2676, or by sending your name, address, phone number, and a request for form 1048 to: Treasury Retail Securities Site, P.O. Box 214, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55480-0214.

Tax Relief

You may qualify for certain tax relief due to the disaster. More information is available at https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-relief-presidentially-declared-disaster-areas-4, https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/help-for-victims-of-hurricane-harvey, and https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/disaster-assistance-and-emergency-relief-for-individuals-and-businesses-1.

Crisis Counseling and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Many people have behavioral and emotional readjustment issues and stress symptoms in response to overwhelming stressors such as those experienced in disasters. Tips for managing traumatic stress after hurricanes and floods are available through the American Psychological Association at http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/index.aspx, http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/hurricane-stress.aspx, and http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/flood-distress.aspx.

Additional resources are offered by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network at http://www.nctsnet.org/trauma-types/natural-disasters. 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers a Disaster Distress Helpline, providing crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural disasters. The helpline may be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800-985-5990. Services are available for the deaf/hard of hearing and in Spanish.

Additional mental health resources may be found through the Texas Department of State Health Services at http://www.dshs.texas.gov/news/updates.shtm.

Consumer Protection

Contractors. Be alert for fraudulent and disreputable contractors. To protect yourself, get multiple estimates, don’t be rushed to commit, and check out the contractors. Ask contractors for references from past customers, and check them out with the Better Business Bureau or read other reviews and reports. Be wary of businesses from out of town. Do not be rushed or pressured. Be suspicious of salespeople who rush you, pressure you, or play on your emotions. 

Get everything in writing, and keep copies of everything. Be detailed. Do not sign contracts with unfilled blanks. Be aware that if the transaction takes place at your home, you have three business days to cancel, and they must give you a notice of your right to do so. Ask for proof that the contractor is insured to avoid liability for any accidents that might occur on your property. If the contractor makes a guarantee, make sure it is written in detail. Do not pay too much in advance. 

Get an inspector or insurance adjuster to inspect completed work before you make full payment for it. If the work is not completed to your satisfaction, do not sign paperwork saying that it is complete. Do not be pressured to do so. For resources for identifying, avoiding, and reporting scams visit the website of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton at www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/emergency/hurricane-harvey, or call 800-621-0508.

Scammers. To avoid being swindled by people who say they are charities, it’s a good idea to give only to charities with which you are already familiar. If you do not know who sent you a link in an email, do not click it, and do not enter any personal or financial information. Most reputable organizations will not seek donations from individuals by email, telephone, or door-to-door.

Price gouging. It is illegal to take advantage of a disaster declared by the governor by selling or leasing fuel, food, medicine, or another necessity at an exorbitant or excessive price, or by demanding an exorbitant or excessive price in connection with such a sale or lease. If you believe you are being unfairly charged for goods or services such as drinking water, food, towing, lodging, or another necessity, and are unable to resolve the matter with the merchant or provider, you may file a complaint with the Attorney General’s office online at www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/emergency/hurricane-harvey, or by calling 800-621-0508.

Rumors

After a disaster, rumors and/or scams abound. FEMA has set up a website to try to deal with those of which it becomes aware. Visit the Hurricane Harvey Rumor Control website at www.fema.gov/disaster/4332/updates/rumor-control.



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