Many phone sales pitches are made on behalf of legitimate organizations offering genuine products and services. Unfortunately, scammers also use the telephone to commit fraud. That's why Adams encourages you to be skeptical when you hear a phone solicitation and to report it if you think the call may be fraudulent.

Your complaint counts! Fight telephone fraud by reporting telephone scam artists to Adams, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and to your State Attorney General. When you report phone fraud to the FTC, your complaint is entered into a secure database that is available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. By reporting telemarketing fraud, you are providing important information to help law enforcement officials track down scam artists and stop them.

• Where to report: If you get a call you suspect is fraudulent, report it to Adams Telephone 877-696-4611, the FTC at 877-382-4357 and to your State Attorney General Office by calling 800-243-0618.
• What information to provide: When you report telemarketing fraud, your information may help local and federal law enforcers investigate the scammers. Provide the telemarketer's name or phone number, as well as the date and time of the call.
• Why: Your complaint is entered into a secure, online database used by more than 1,000 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies.

Warmer temperatures spark interest in getting outside and sprucing up the yard after a long cold winter. Many of us find it tempting to grab a shovel and dig into the dirt to begin those spring plantings or outdoor building projects. There’s something you’ll want to do before beginning any digging project, though, and that is to call J.U.L.I.E or call 8-1-1, in order to have utility lines marked and avoid danger.

At least two days before beginning your digging, contact J.U.L.I.E. so area utility companies can be notified and visit your site to mark utility lines. It is best if you mark off the area you’ll be digging in, either with white paint or flags. Then when a representative from each utility company comes, they can use paint and/or flags to mark buried utility lines. Doing this can save you money, injuries, and even lives. It’s the law to call before you dig. You may be subject to liability for damaged underground facilities if you dig before the legal dig start that JULIE assigns you.

Aside from making the free phone call to 8-1-1, you can also go online to www.illinois1call.com and enter an E-Request. This online service is for single addresses only (no intersections or lot numbers), non-emergency requests, and is not to be used for join meet requests. You will have to enter a valid email address and fill in the required information in order to use the E-Request. You will then receive an email confirmation that includes your legal dig start date and time.

For more information, visit www.illinois1call.com

Are You Getting Calls You Don't Want?

The National Do Not Call Registry gives you an opportunity to limit the telemarketing calls you receive. Once you register your phone number, telemarketers covered by the Telemarketing Sales Rule have up to 31 days from the date you register to stop calling you. You can register your number by calling toll-free 1-888-382-1222 from the number you wish to register. Registration is free.

Placing your number on the National Do Not Call Registry will stop most telemarketing calls, but not all. Calls from or on behalf of political organizations, charities, and telephone pollsters are still permitted.

Organizations with which you have an established business relationship can call you for up to 18 months after your last purchase, payment, or delivery; even if your number is on the National Do Not Call Registry. And companies to which you've made an inquiry or submitted an application can call you for up to three months.

If your number has been on the National Do Not Call Registry for at least 31 days and you receive a call from a telemarketer that you believe is covered by the National Do Not Call Registry, you can file a complaint at the registry's website at www.donotcall.gov or by calling the registry's toll-free number at 1-888-382-1222. To file a complaint, you must know either the name or telephone number of the company that called you, and the date the company called you.

 2012 International Year of Cooperatives

 The International Year of Cooperatives, or IYC, celebrates a different way of doing business, one focused on human need not human greed, where the members (who own and govern the business) collectively enjoy the benefits instead of all profits going just to shareholders.

Having an International Year of Co-operatives provides an opportunity to captivate the attention of national governments, the business community and, most importantly, the general public on the advantages provided by the co-operative model.  

Photo Contest Winner

Congratulations to Brenda Williams, winner of the winter photo contest and prize package from Adams. 

• Friday, April 6, 2012 (Good Friday)
• Monday, May 28, 2012 (Memorial Day)
• Wednesday, July 4, 2012 (Independence Day)

Youth Programs

Youth to Washington Program

Our connection to our communities starts with our connections to our youth. Adams is very proud of our youth and works hard to provide these young people with opportunities that promote leadership and excellence throughout our communities. It’s time once again to focus on Youth to Washington – the program Adams Telephone Co-Operative co-sponsors with Adams Electric Cooperative and the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives for area high school sophomores and juniors. Through this program, students learn more about our local and national government and also the importance of cooperatives. Eligible youth can apply for Youth Day in Springfield (March 28, 2012), where they meet with legislators, tour the city, and interview for the week-long, all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. June 15 – 22, 2012. While there, winners will join youth from across the nation to meet with government officials, sightsee, and realize the important role cooperatives play in our country.

Eligible students may download the application today by visiting www.adams.net/yt.

Applications are due to Adams Telephone Co-Operative by February 24, 2012. Applications postmarked after February 24 will not be considered.

FRS Scholarship Program

The Foundation for Rural Service Scholarship program provides our member’s students the opportunity to apply for a $2,500 scholarship to any accredited college, university or vocational school. Eligibility requirements include:

• Must be a graduating high school senior

• Must have at least a C grade point average

• Be accepted by an accredited 2-year or 4-year college, university, or

   vocational-technical service

• Must live in a household with telephone service provided by Adams Telephone Co-Operative. These exchanges are: Augusta (392), Chambersburg (327), Coatsburg/Paloma (455), Fishhook (338), Golden/La Prairie (696), Hersman (289), Lima (985), Loraine (938), Mendon (936), Meyer (647), Mindale (667),

Plymouth (458), and Ursa (964).

Eligible students may download the application today by visiting www.adams.net/frs.

 Applications are due to Adams Telephone Co-Operative by February 24, 2012.

Holiday Recipe Contest Winner

Congratulations to Pat Heinecke, winner of the Adams Holiday Recipe Contest. Pat will receive a $25 bill credit.

Thank you to everyone who participated. Photocopied recipe books featuring all participants will be available at the Golden office beginning January 9, 2012.

Hack-proof your Passwords

Almost 20 percent of Americans use the same password for more than five accounts. Bad idea. Learn how to protect yourself online at www.consumerreports.org.  

Prepaid Add-a-Line

Simmetry now offers Prepaid Add-a-Lines for just $25 dollars a month! Plus, you'll get Unlimited Talk, Text, Picture and Internet!  Call (866) 220-6867 or stop by one of our convenient locations to take advantage of this exceptional offer!

Calling all Shutterbugs!  

What winter scene makes you feel like everything is going to be okay? Is it a snowy evening? Kids sledding? Email your pictures to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  for a chance to win a prize package from Adams.  

Click here for contest rules.