The beginning of another year gives us a chance to say thank you to all who have written or called – your kind words mean so much and are truly appreciated. Keep us posted on what you’d like to read about. We aim to please.

Many senior-news items came to us during our week off and some are important enough to share with readers.

• We’ve received the state tax forms, which this year include the special form we must complete in order to apply for the former “Circuit Breaker” tax and rent refund program. At first glance, it appears a little wordy and confusing. This year might be the best time to take advantage of free tax preparation help. Soon, we will provide a list of the places where the AARP free tax aide will be available. Meanwhile, when if you get this form from the state, set it aside where you can easily find it and keep with it that notice you got/get from Social Security that tells you what your 2014 payment would be.

• It used to be that the only toll-free numbers began with 1-800. That has changed. Today, there are five toll-free codes: 800, 888, 877, 866 and 855. The toll-free codes are not interchangeable: 1-800-234-5678 is not the same number as 1-888-234-5678.

• As part of the Maine Fraud Prevention Alliance, AARP Maine is encouraging members to use the DASH Fraud Prevention Kit. The kit includes tips on how to handle unsolicited phone calls, junk mail, emails, texts and door-to-door sales to guard against scams. “As we enter tax season with Social Security numbers circulating, now is a critical time to be on guard,” said Jane Margesson, spokeswoman for AARP Maine. If you have a cautionary tale to help others avoid fraud, call AARP at 866-554-5380 toll-free. To get the kit, go to dashfraud.com. For more information, visit aarp.org/fraud.

• Free legal services will be the topic on Monday, Jan. 27 at 10 a.m. at the Sunset Ridge Golf Links, 771 Cumberland St. (River Road), Westbrook. Lakes Region Senior Center will host Legal Services for the Elderly, which provides those age 60 and older with free legal services on a broad range of issues. Some of the subjects they cover are evictions and foreclosure, health care and health insurance issues, such as issues with Medicare (including Part D), Maine Care (Medicaid), Social Security and other public benefits, powers of attorney, consumer matters including creditor and bankruptcy problems, and physical abuse and financial exploitation.

Katherine Griffin is a staff attorney in Legal Services for the Elderly’s Scarborough office. She will speak about their services in general and how to access these services. She will be available to meet with individuals for 10 minutes each after the presentation. This is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Kay Soldier welcomes reader ideas for column topics of interest to seniors. She can be reached by email at kso48@aol.com, or write to 114 Tandberg Trail, Windham, ME 04062.