REGION

REGION

Local Ohio Edison workers approve new contract

AKRON — Area Ohio Edison workers have approved a new five-year labor contract that provides annual wage increases of at least 3 percent.

FirstEnergy Corp., the Akron-based parent of Ohio Edison, said it reached the deal with two Utility Workers Union of America locals that represent workers in Youngstown and Akron. Included are 480 linemen, substation electricians, meter readers and support personnel.

Wage increases will be 3 percent in each of the first three years and 3.25 in each of the last two years. The two sides also agreed to work rule changes, the company said.

NATION

Warning: IRS reports a series of ID theft scams

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service warned taxpayers Thursday of a rash of identity theft scams where thieves try to steal personal information by promising tax benefits or threatening penalties.

The tax agency said taxpayers reported almost 700 attempted incidents of identity theft, or phishing, in May and June alone. It said it has received some 1,600 reports in all of 2008.

The most common scams involve e-mails concerning tax refunds or this year’s economic stimulus payments, where the sender misinforms the recipients that they must supply personal information to receive payments.

The IRS does not normally send e-mails to taxpayers and does not request security-related personal information, such as PIN numbers, from taxpayers.

Source: Associated Press