From the Office of the Sheriff Sheriff Dennis L. Dotson

For Immediate Release

NEWS RELEASE

Date: January 24, 2008

Direct Deposit for Government Checks

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is one the most recent law enforcement agencies to join others in a campaign to educate senior citizens and others about a service called Go Direct. Go Direct is a national program sponsored by the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Banks. The campaign is designed to motivate Americans to select direct deposit for their federal benefit payments, such as Social Security and Supplemental Security Income.

Mail theft occurs on a regular basis in our county and frequently people are deprived of their federal payments as a result. Go Direct is the recommended solution to this problem and ensures that your funds are securely deposited into your account.

People can sign up for Go Direct either by phone or online. The toll free number is (800) 333-1795 and online the address is www.GoDirect.organd www.DirectoASuCuenta.org. People can also enroll for direct deposit at their bank, credit union, or at a Social Security office.

Currently, more than 150 million federal benefit checks are issued annually. The U.S. Treasury claims that if all federal payment recipients signed up for Go Direct, $120 million a year would be saved and almost all of that money would remain in the Social Security Trust Fund.

“It appears that the people who receive federal payments will be doing themselves and future Social Security recipients a great service by signing up for Go Direct,” stated Sheriff Dotson. “While I don’t receive federal payments, I have taken advantage of direct deposit for my paychecks for the past 20 years and have never experienced a problem.” “It just makes good sense and it’s another way that citizens can reduce their risk of becoming a victim of crime,” stated Sheriff Dotson.

Brochures about Go Direct are available from Sheriff’s deputies and at the Sheriff’s Offices in Newport and Waldport.

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