Released by the Better Business Bureau of Central East Texas:

Consumers who owe money or are behind on their bills may be legitimately contacted by debt collectors to pay off debts.  In a recent release of the top complaints reported to BBB, collection agencies ranked 5th in number of complaints received.  With more than 15,000 complaints, consumers need to be aware of the best practices for when it comes to handling debt collectors.

“Be wary of the red flags for fraudulent debt collectors”, said Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas. “Refusing to reveal the name of their agency or demands that the payments be made in cash or money transfer only, could mean that a phony debt collector is making an attempt at identity theft”.

It’s important for consumers to verify the alleged debt before taking action.

Released by Welcome Home Soldier: 

Dear WHS Family,

At our recent Volunteer Appreciation Celebration, I said that I need to at least partly step down from the leadership of WHS,, partly because of my husband's health and partly because of my own health. But in order to do that, we must have another leader who is committed enough and free enough to be able to serve when needed and to help us along the way. Polly is wonderful, but it is too much to ask her to do it all by herself. I am sure that none of you realize how much time, planning, gas, community involvement, and working around family, friends and social activities leadership in WHS takes.

This weekend I am unable to help with any of these welcomes, and Polly will do it all. I have done the same by myself, but it is really difficult and stressful to do it alone, and it is unfair to ask Polly to do it all.

TITUS COUNTY, TX (KLTV)- Authorities are looking for two men responsible for holding up a convenience store in East Texas Thursday night.

The Titus County Sheriff's Office says the Talco Speedy Stop at Hwy 271 and FM 71 was robbed by two males around 9 p.m.

Lt. Brent Smith says one of the suspects was carrying a handgun.

The robbers made off with approximately $750 in cash, Smith says.

The Titus County Sheriff's Office is working with the Daingerfield and Mount Pleasant Police Departments to see if similar robberies that occurred over the last few weeks in those areas are connected to Thursday night's hold-up.

No images of the suspects are available. The only description given is two slim black males, perhaps in their 20s, wearing dark clothes and masks, and latex gloves.

There were no injuries during the robbery.

Copyright 2012 KLTV. All rights reserved.