FRAUD PREVENTION

Before I get to the main topic, I must direct your attention to some weird stuff (at least I think its weird.)

A Dream

This morning, an hour before I usually get up, my doorbell clanged and I was awakened from a long dream, which I can remember vividly.

I dreamt that I was alone in my home in Gamber, Maryland when someone pushed open my front door and barged in.  It was Will Smith (huh?.)

Will said he just wanted to play with a new friend, so I joined him in games and exercises. We did become good friends.

After a while a gigantic yellow school bus parked across my front door.  I figured it was a trick by our nasty next door neighbor.  I jumped on the roof of the bus and stumbled onto the neighbor's side deck.

His deck had just been painted a bilious green and it began to stick to my clothes.  I tried to escape by jumping off, but there was a 30 foot drop.  So, instead, I slid down a greasy pole that suddenly appeared.

Back at my house I greeted my wife who had been on a trip.  She looked confused and pointed to our mail box. Normally there was a sign saying, "Vaughan Residence," but now there was a plaque hanging below it saying, "And Will Smith and his Girlfriend, Second Floor."

As I was trying to decide how to get rid of that friendly rascal, the doorbell clanged and I woke up,

Now, what the heck does that mean?

Feminism

The makers of "Cracker Jacks" have begun manufacturing "Cracker Jills."

KOHL

Kohl, kajal or kajol is an ancient eye cosmetic favored by Cleopatra, Tammy Faye and the lady who says, "I've fallen and I can't get up!"

I'm pleased to report that she is now up and says,

"I live alone, but I'm never alone.  I have "Life Alert."

(A good product, by the way.)

Fraud protection by AARP.

I was president of an AARP chapter for many years and proudly display some AARP awards that I earned, but I have to admit that I seldom read their Bulletin.

That is because it is printed on paper tissue that is hard to manipulate for us old timers.

However, for the April 2022 issue I thought of a way to make life easier. I used my scissors to cut along the edge of the paper package.  Thereby creating a pile of single sheets that can be rather easily thumbed through.

As I happily poured through the single sheets, I came upon a great article about fraud and how to protect yourself from it. I highly recommend it.

Here are some AARP tips for senior citizens and others:

1.  Never give your Medicare number to anyone who calls on the telephone.

2.  If you are offered a free genetic testing, it's a scam.

3. If you are asked for your Medicare information in exchange for COVID information, hang up.

4.  If a caller wants to help you get Medicare or Medicaid, it's a scam.

5.  Change your passwords on  accounts every three months.

6.  Passwords should be mase up of random words, numbers and symbols.

7.  Record your passwords in a secure place.  Never mention them in EMAIL or on a typed list labeled "passwords."  (Oh Oh!)

8.  Take alerts about data breaches seriously.  But be careful.

9.  Purge your social media profiles of personal information.

10. Clean out your wallet.

11.  Update the contacts on your phone.

12.  Add phone login protection.

13.  Review your credit reports, (Free)

14.  Add two-factor authentication to your online accounts.

15.  Refresh your Facebook security.

16.  Add AARP's number to your contacts: 

AARP Fraud Watch Network  877-908-3360 (free) 

 

If this is all like "Greek" to you, ask a techie or do some technical reading.  They are out to get you.  I know because I was scammed recently and thanks to my daughter and son I survived.

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