CENTERVILLE —
The letter several Centerville residents received earlier this month asking them to purchase water service line insurance was not a scam or a fraud, according to a representative with HomeServe USA, the company that mailed the letter.
"Our company did send this letter to many customers across the state of Iowa, and HomeServe is not a scam," wrote Myles Meehan, SVP Account Management, in an email response following an inquiry made by the Daily Iowegian. "HomeServe currently protects over 1 million homeowners across the U.S. from those unexpected repairs not covered by typical home insurance plans or by local utility service."
The direct mail letter informs the homeowner that their "property is not covered by Water Service Line Coverage from HomeServe. As a homeowner, you are responsible for the maintenance and repair of the water service line from your service connection to the foundation of your home."
The letter's payment stub asks for credit or debit card information or they will accept a personal check or money order. For $59.88 per year the homeowner receives up to $6,000 in annual water service line coverage.
The letter offering water service line insurance caught Centerville residents off guard.
One city official said several residents brought the letter to City Hall when they came in to pay their water bill. They were told to ignore the letter and throw it away or the city offered to shred it for them.
"As far as we're concerned it's fraudulent," City Hall official Joyce Davis said earlier this week. "I don't know where they got their mailing list. I don't know how it came about. But we had nothing to do with it."
Davis said residents started approaching the city with the letter toward the first of February.
Apparently the same offer was mailed to Ottumwa residents. The Ottumwa Courier reported earlier this month that city officials said Ottumwa Water and Hydro is not connected to letters received by residents about water line warranties.
The city's press release stopped short of calling the offer a scam. Officials said the city does not endorse any company offering such warranties.
One woman who called the Iowegian said a lot of people received the letter and that it was causing a lot of confusion. She especially was worried the elderly would fall for the offer.
Meehan wrote in his email HomeServe USA "is the premier provider of emergency home repair service plans in the U.S.
"You should also be aware that HomeServe USA sent an informational packet to the Better Business Bureau of Nebraska, South Dakota and Southwest Iowa alerting them that this campaign would be taking place in their area," Meehan wrote in his email.
HomeServe USA website is www.homeserveusa.com.
Local News
Water line warranty letter leaves many in doubt
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Walking Tour around Square Wednesday
Enfys McMurry and Historic Preservation Corporation are celebrating National Historic Month by having a walking tour around the Historic Square District in Centerville Wednesday, May 23 at 1:30 p.m. Meet at Tangleberries on the south side of the Square. The tour is one hour long and then meet back at Tangleberries for tea and scones. Cost is $7 per person including tea and a scone at Tangleberries upon completion of the tour. Call (641) 437-4700 or Chamber Office for reservations.
The tour is entitled: “Centerville – A Mid American Saga – a Tour of the Square (which also is the name of the book Enfys just finished) and it will be out for sale in the fall of 2012. -
STATE CHAMPIONS
Centerville Big Reds’ boys distance medley team wins at Drake Stadium in Des Moines during the Iowa High School Co-Ed State Track meet.
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GRADUATION TIME
Graduation time for area high schools.
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National Underage Drinking Prevention Day is May 21
Though we have made progress in the fight to reduce underage drinking, our Nation continues to suffer a range of unacceptable and costly health and social problems.
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School board approves master contract agreement, hires Spanish teacher
The Centerville School Board held a regular meeting Monday, May 14 at the Administration Building.
During the meeting the board approved the resignation of Jerry Meredith from Lakeview custodian and Chuck Banks from his coaching positions.
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EMS Week May 20-26: Moulton First Responders
May 20-26 has been designated Emergency Medical Services week in the United States.
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Open house Thursday
Mercy Ambulance open house for EMS week is Thursday, May 24 from 4-6 p.m. at the Mercy Ambulance garage at the hospital. Mercy One helicopter is landing at approximately 4:30 p.m.
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Contract for sludge facility on council agenda
CITY COUNCIL PREVIEW
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Dave Loebsack demands action on legislation to keep Iowa USDA offices open
Congressman Dave Loebsack today urged Speaker of the House, John Boehner, to bring up and pass legislation that would ensure U.S. Department of Agriculture offices in Iowa and across the nation remain open.
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IHCC 2012 Centerville campus graduation
Outstanding students honored at Indian Hills Community College’s Centerville Campus.
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Tournament
Krazy Connie's Landing, 12166 Highway S70, Plano is holding an Alzheimer's golf benefit at The Manhattan Golf Club in Centerville Saturday, July 21 at 8 a.m.
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USPS changes plan; reduce hours instead of closures
The proposed plan would affect seven post offices in Appanoose County.
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Pella attorney announces run for Iowa Senate
Tim Tripp announced today that he plans to run for the Iowa State Senate in District 40, which includes Appanoose County.
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Ty Stewart receives 2012 Kent Rinaberger Award
Howar Junior High eighth grader, Ty Stewart, accepts the 2012 Kent Rinaberger Award.
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Threat to resign does not materialize
Centerville Street Department Superintendent Ron Creagan did not submit a written resignation as promised on Monday, May 14.
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Walking Tour around Square Wednesday
