HARRISBURG ― Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced that Citibank will refund $1,063,041 to approximately 7,000 Citi credit card accounts in Pennsylvania to resolve allegations that it illegally overcharged credit card interest. The settlement was led by Pennsylvania and achieved in partnership with the attorneys general of Iowa, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and North Carolina. Citi is paying the five states a total of $4.2 million and approximately 25,000 current and former Citi customers will receive refund checks.

“Citi failed to meet its legal obligation to consumers, and charged thousands of Pennsylvanians for bogus interest payments,” said Attorney General Josh Shapiro. “Today, our office got back more than $1 million for those Pennsylvanians who were overcharged. When banks step out of line, we will hold them accountable.”

The investigation arose from Citibank’s failure, from February 2011 to August 2017, to properly reevaluate and reduce the annual percentage rate (“APR”) for certain consumer credit card accounts as required by the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 (CARD Act). For more than six years, Citibank failed to follow the law and lower credit card interest rates for certain consumers who were entitled to reductions in their APR. In addition, the PA Office of Attorney General claims that Citibank’s conduct in connection with the APR reevaluation issues violated the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.

The attorneys general will be distributing the settlement to eligible consumers through Epiq Class Action & Claims Solutions, Inc., a settlement administrator. Consumers do not need to take any action to receive their funds, which will be sent as checks to eligible consumers in the middle of 2021. Only those Citi credit card customers who meet certain criteria set by the settling states will receive a refund check. Consumers who have questions can call: 855-914-4657.

As explained in detail in a 2018 Consent Order between Citibank and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the CARD Act requires credit card issuing banks to perform a “look back” at least every six months to review whether, for accounts where the bank has increased the APR due to credit risk or other factors, the factors that prompted the increase have changed. When indicated by the look back review, the CARD Act requires the bank to reduce the account’s APR. The CFPB’s Consent Order alleges that Citibank failed to properly implement the CARD Act’s look back requirements from 2011 to 2017.

Today, the PA Office of Attorney General filed an Assurance Voluntary of Compliance with the Court. This multistate investigation was led by Bureau of Consumer Protection Assistant Director Nicholas F. B. Smyth.

(Beaver Falls, Pa.) The National Weather Service in Moon Twp., Pa. has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Beaver County and the surrounding area starting at 9:00 p.m. Monday, February 8, 2021. The advisory will last until 1 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. National Weather Service Meteorologists are predicting 1 to 2 inches of snow overnight Monday and another 1 to 2 inches of snow during the day on Tuesday.

Below is  a copy of the advisory that was issued:

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO
1 PM EST TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4
  inches.

* WHERE...Portions of northwest, southwest and western
  Pennsylvania, east central Ohio and northern and the northern
  panhandle of West Virginia.

* WHEN...From 9 PM this evening to 1 PM EST Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous
  conditions could impact the morning commute.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling.

Please report snow or ice by calling 412-262-1988, posting to the
NWS Pittsburgh Facebook page, or using Twitter @NWSPittsburgh

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and Pennsylvania
Turnpike Commission remind motorists to adjust speeds based on
driving conditions as winter weather impacts Pennsylvania
roadways. Visit www.511pa.com for the latest travel, roadway and
traffic conditions.

On Tuesday’s Teleforum program Eddy welcomes Mike Lysakowski of Motorsport
Aspects;  Mike will have a speed week wrapup, including all the local drivers that
participated. Mike will also preview the Clash, taking place for the first time ever on a
road circuit-the Lernerville Speedway general manager joins Eddy in the 11:35  on  AM1230, AM1460, FM99.3 presented by St. Barnabas-Teleforum is heard on
Beaver County Radio.

Tax Time Offers Opportunity to Help Pennsylvania’s Military Families Facing Financial Difficulties
Annville, PA – Individuals filing their 2020 Pennsylvania personal income taxes can help Pennsylvania’s military personnel and their families by donating any amount of their refund to the state’s Military Family Relief Assistance Program (MFRAP).

The program, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), provides grants of up to $3,500 to members of the armed forces and their families who are residents of Pennsylvania and have a direct and immediate financial need as a result of circumstances beyond their control. The tax form includes instructions on how to donate.

“Many Pennsylvanians traditionally support our military and their families at tax time by generously contributing to the Military Family Relief Assistance Program, and that is greatly appreciated,” said Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, Pennsylvania’s acting adjutant general and acting head of DMVA. “The simple act of checking the block for MFRAP on your tax form will help to improve the quality of life for a military family facing financial difficulties. During the pandemic, MFRAP contributions are more important now than ever before.”

Examples of how MFRAP grants helped service members in 2020-2021 include:

• The spouse of a Pennsylvania National Guard (PNG) soldier deployed overseas was laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her unemployment compensation expired, and she was unable to find new employment to help support their family. Unexpected home and car repairs compounded the financial strain. She was awarded a grant of $3,500 to address the needed repairs and other household expenses while she continued her job search.
• A U.S. Navy Reserve petty officer with recent active duty service was experiencing financial hardship from expenses related to a family emergency. The member needed to purchase tires for her vehicle and needed other assistance with travel expenses to make a cross-country trip because of the death of her mother. The petty officer was approved for a grant of $2,000.
• A Pennsylvania Air National Guard sergeant was unaware that his civilian medical insurance had expired while he was serving on active duty orders. His family unknowingly accrued over $8,000 in medical bills after the coverage was discontinued. The sergeant was approved for a grant of $3,500 to assist with the payment of uninsured medical expenses.

Since the program began in 2006, more than $1.94 million has been generously donated by individuals filing their Pennsylvania personal income tax returns and through private donations.  

Members of the armed forces who are residents of Pennsylvania are eligible to apply for assistance while they are serving on active duty for 30 or more consecutive days with the Army, Army Reserve, Navy, Navy Reserve, Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve, or the Pennsylvania Army or Air National Guard.

All members of the armed forces who were discharged for medical reasons are also eligible to apply for assistance for up to four years after a medical discharge.

In addition, reserve component service members (including Pennsylvania National Guard members) and their families may be eligible for a grant for a period of up to three years after release from a qualifying active duty tour.

The program also applies to certain family members of eligible service members who are Pennsylvania residents. Applicants must show that they have a direct and immediate financial need as a result of circumstances beyond their control.

In addition to the check-off box on the state Personal Income Tax form, contributions can be made directly by sending a check to the Military Family Relief Assistance Program, c/o PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Bldg. 0-47 Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA 17003.

Donations are tax deductible to the extent authorized by federal law.

To learn more about this program, visit www.mfrap.pa.gov.

For more information about the DMVA, visit us online at www.dmva.pa.gov or follow us at www.facebook.com/padmva or www.twitter.com/padmva.

(MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa.) For the second time in the last week TSA Agents at Pittsburgh International Airport have found a loaded handgun at an airport security checkpoint.

A Loaded .380 caliber handgun was spotted by a TSA officer on a checkpoint X-ray machine’s monitor. The gun containing 5 bullets was spotted inside the Wexford man’s a carry-on bag.

Allegheny County police were notified and responded to the checkpoint to confiscate the gun and question the man.

He now is facing federal civil penalties.

Trump lawyers blast impeachment trial as ‘political theater’
By ERIC TUCKER, LISA MASCARO, MARY CLARE JALONICK and JILL COLVIN Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawyers for Donald Trump are blasting the impeachment case against him as an act of “political theater” by Democrats. In a brief filed Monday on the eve of the Senate impeachment trial, lawyers for the former president attack the case on multiple grounds. They say it is unconstitutional and must be dismissed. Trump’s historic second impeachment trial is set to start Tuesday with a debate and vote on whether it’s even constitutional to prosecute the former president now that he’s no longer in office. Democrats want to hold the former president accountable for the violent U.S. Capitol siege. And Republicans want it over as quickly as possible.

(BEAVER, Pa.) The coroner was called to the scene of a crash between an SUV and a Pedestrian in the 1400 block of 3rd Street in Beaver around 7 pm on Friday. The road was closed most of Friday evening as police investigated.
Beaver Police chief Dan Madgar reported Monday that an older male was struck by a vehicle between the 13-1400 block of Third Street  on Friday night  between 7:30- and 8:p.m.. According to the chief ,a female driver was travelling west on Route 68  when the pedestrian was struck and killed. No charges have been filed, and the accident  is under investigation.

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

Residents and associates at the Elmcroft Senior Living facility in Chippewa will be receiving the COVID-19 vaccine on February 9 at their facility on 104 Pappan Business Drive.

It will be one of three different vaccine distribution clinics created to ensure that all who receive the vaccine will be getting both shots. The drive is in cooperation with local pharmacies and national chains (such as CVS and Walgreens) in order to provide proper distribution.

“The vaccine is just one piece of the solution in stopping the spread of COVID-19,” said Elmcroft executive director Theresa Rhyal. “Eclipse communities will continue to take our standard precautions until the U.S. public health officials let us know they are no longer necessary.”

More information on their vaccine distribution can be found here.

Motorists Are at Risk for Dead Car Batteries 
Amid freezing temperatures, AAA recommends getting out the door early tomorrow

With temperatures below freezing, AAA advises motorists to prepare for the potential of a dead battery. Dead batteries are the number one roadside assistance call during the winter months. In fact, according to data from last winter, AAA East Central contractors responded to 66,548 battery-related calls and replaced 14,198.

“There’s usually an influx of dead battery calls during these cold snaps,” says Jim Garrity, manager of public and legislative affairs, AAA East Central. “The hot summer sun breaks down the internal components of a battery, and that damage manifests when temperatures dip below freezing. Motorists should get out the door early tomorrow to avoid running late to work because of a dead battery.”

In addition to allowing plenty of time getting out the door, AAA advises motorists also check:

• Wiper Blades: Unless conditions are very windy, consider leaving wiper blades elevated overnight to prevent freezing to the window. A long sock can also make a good barrier between the blade and the window.
• Washer Fluid: Fill the windshield washer fluid reservoir with a cleaning solution that has antifreeze components.
• Coolant Levels: If your engine coolant level is low, add the recommended coolant to maintain the necessary antifreeze capability.
• Tire Pressure: Typically, tire pressure decreases 1 PSI for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit that the temperature drops, putting owners at risk for a flat tire. The proper tire pressure levels can be found on a sticker located on the driver’s side door jamb. (Don’t forget to check the spare!)

The full AAA Winter Car Care Checklist can be found here.

AAA East Central advises motorists visit a AAA Approved Auto Repair Facility this winter to have their entire charging system and battery tested, especially if the battery is more than three years old. AAA members can request battery service on-the-spot as part of their membership. This includes battery testing and, if need be, replacement with a competitively-priced AAA battery. Service can be requested by calling 800-AAA-HELP.

AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 73 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members.  Past news releases are available at news.eastcentral.aaa.com.  Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.