AUSTIN - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott warned Texas seniors and other consumers to just hang up on callers posing as the "President of Jamaica" and promising large cash prizes. Attorney General Abbott issued the warning about international lottery scams as part of National Consumer Protection Week.
    
International lottery scammers often target seniors by telephone, claiming to be an official with a foreign lottery. The perpetrators assure potential victims they are on the verge of tremendous wealth, but claim the "winner" must first pay substantial up-front "taxes" or "processing fees." After the victims wire their money to bank accounts in foreign countries, the callers disappear forever - and so does the victims' hard-earned money.
    
"Don't be fooled. Callers claiming to represent foreign lotteries are con artists who cannot be trusted," said Attorney General Abbott. "These kinds of promises are always fraudulent and aim to bilk consumers out of their hard-earned money. Texans who receive these calls should just hang up."
    
The most recent international lottery scam involves telephone calls to seniors from individuals posing as Jamaican officials. An 85-year-old Houston-area woman recently reported losing approximately $16,000 after she was tricked into believing she won the Jamaican lottery. One of the perpetrators, who posed as the "President of Jamaica," reassured her that just a few "processing fees" would yield a $2.5 million jackpot. The offer was a fraud, and the woman lost her life's savings.
    
Consumers can find more information by calling (800) 252-8011 or visiting the Attorney General's Web site at www.oag.state.tx.us. The Office of the Attorney General produces numerous resources, newsletters and news releases that contain common-sense tips about a variety of consumer issues, including emerging scams. Consumers also can subscribe to receive consumer alerts and other publications via e-mail.
   
Information about avoiding scams is also available at the National Consumer Protection Week Web site: www.consumer.gov/ncpw.

The IRS requires most of us to file a federal income tax return every year. In general, the federal tax agency bases its filing requirements for a given tax year on how much income you earn for a given tax filing status.
    
The five tax filing statuses are single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, head of household, and widow or widower with qualifying child.
    
For persons age 65 or older or blind, the filing requirements are a little more lenient since you can earn additional income and not have to file.
    
The IRS uses the following income thresholds to determine whether you must file a federal income tax return for 2006. The IRS adjusts these amounts for inflation so that taxpayers aren't automatically bumped into a higher tax bracket as incomes grow to keep pace with inflation:
    
Single taxpayers. If you expect to file a single return, the IRS requires you to file a return for 2006 if your gross income for the year is at least: $8,450 if you are under age 65. $9,700 if you are at least age 65.
    
Married filing jointly. For married persons filing jointly, you are required to file a return if gross income for 2006 is at least: $16,900 if both of you are under age 65. $17,900 if one of you was at least age 65. $18,900 if both of you were at least age 65.
    
If you are not living with your spouse at the end of the year or on the date that a spouse should die, the IRS requires you to file a return if your gross income is at least $3,300. Each personal exemption in 2006 is worth $3,300.
    
Married filing separately. For married persons filing a separate return, no matter what age, you must file a return if gross income is at least $3,300.
    
Head of household. For persons filing as head of household, you must file a return for 2006 if gross income is at least:  $10,850 if under age 65. $12,100 if at least age 65.
    
Qualifying widow or widower. For persons filing as qualifying widow or widower with dependent child, you must file a return for 2006 if gross income is at least: $13,600 if under age 65. $14,600 if at least age 65.
    
Even if you don't earn this much income, other situations exist to determine whether you must file a tax return. For example, a dependent has to file a return for 2006 if they received more than $850 in unearned income or more than $5,150 in earned income.
    
For more information on the IRS's filing requirements, see IRS Pub. 17.