Telemarketing fraud - Don't be a victim!

Does your name appear on a "sucker list?" These lists contain information
about people who have provided valuable personal information to previous telemarketing solicitations.
The lists are bought, sold and traded by scam artists who want your information
and your money!

Seniors are especially targeted by unscrupulous sales marketers for
products and services.They want your valuable information, especially
your credit card, birth date, social security number, and address.
Older women living aloneare especially targeted by scam artists.
They play upon an older person's trust and politeness.
Often, callers inform the listener that he/she has won a foreign lottery or
that Social Security needs bank account information for their files.
Social Security employees NEVER call individuals for information.

You can protect yourself:
1) Do NOT give your credit card, checking account or Social Security number
to anyone who calls you. Call 1-800-772-1213 if you need direct Social
Security information.
2) Don't pay for something to receive a "free" gift or sweepstakes.
3) Do not pay anyone to recover money for you for a "fee."
4) Call the Better Business Bureau, local consumer protection agency,
or the State Attorney General's Office, before you agree to send money.
Another source of information is the
OIG (Office of Inspector General). Their Hotline number is 1-800-269-0271.
A Public Fraud Reporting form is available online at OIG's Web site: www.socialsecurity.lgov/oig.

PUT YOUR NAME ON THE DO NOT CALL REGISTRY, too! It is free.
www.donotcall.gov
or 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you wish you register.
Do it for your cell phone, too!

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I have often walked into shops featuring clothing or other items in store
windows, only to be "attacked" by loud rap music. I quickly exit that store
without making any purchases.

Restaurants with quiet background music are delightful to dine at, since
conversations with fellow diners can be appreciated. The slower and more
pleasant the music, the greater the chance my husband and I will linger
over an additional cup of coffee and dessert with our friends. Now isn't
that the "vibe" the restaurant owner wishes to convey?

Music as "backgound" noise in medical service and doctors' offices is
an important issue, too. Recently, my visit to a mammography center
was quite distressing, because the "rap" music blaring from directly
overhead was only pleasing to the young staff. The three other patients
and I had to ask to have the volume lowered. Our anxiety was
magnified by the annoying music.

So, if you're reading this and you are a doctor or medical service
provider, sit in your waiting room and listen to the music that your
receptionists are providing your patients. See if it relaxes you,
or does it convey, "Find another place to patronize?"

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So, every ten years, the Florida DMV sends a notice (usually a
postcard) to drivers whose licenses are about to expire. A list
of necessary "proofs" must be provided, such as birth certificate and/or
passport, Social Security card, utility bill, and, of course, your expiring
driver's license. I showed up with everything. I decided it was time for
a new photo, so here I was, in person.
After arriving early for my scheduled appointment, I was treated to an
amusing script of excuses by some people for why one or more of their required "proofs"
were not available . In addition, their clothing, body ornaments, and hair
accessories worn for the photo taken (to last 10 years) was
nothing less than strange! This DMV morning could have been a comedy sketch
on Saturday Night Live.
Of course, on the day I was scheduled there wasn't enough ink in
the photo machine for the photo to have the proper color balance. Then,
the laminating apparatus was "off," so the finished product might or might
not have a crinkle (mine didn't). Everything was resolved, and my license
looks fine - even my photo!
If you happen to be a germ-freak (like me) you would NOT have placed
your face into the black eye-test screen area. "EWE!" I don't think any
germ-proofing cleaner has ever touched that gizmo......however, I DO
think there have been many runny noses, makeup, unshaven beards, etc.
Need I continue??
To say the least, today was an unusual experience. I can't wait to see what's
in store ten years from now, when I have to have my license renewed,
again.

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Don't be the victim of this phone scam! Pay attention. This has
been in the newspapers and on the T.V. news recently. This scam
first gained attention in 2006, however dozens of Palm Beach residents
have been called recently:

Receiving a Summons for Jury Duty is by U.S. Mail. Some people, however,
have been receiving bogus phone calls from scam artists who want personal
information. Most of us take those summonses for jury duty seriously, but
some folks who may have discarded or ignored their civic duty, or even citizens
who have recently served on a jury, have become victims of a new fraudulent scam.

Someone claiming to be a jury coordinator, calls you at home to
tell you that you have NOT shown up for jury duty. If you protest that you
never received a summons for jury duty, the scammer asks you for your Social
Security number and date of birth, so he or she can "verify the information
and cancel the arrest warrant." If you supply your personal information or
Social Security number, your identity has just been stolen.

This fraud is particularly insidious because they use intimidation
over the phone to try to bully people into giving information by pretending they
are with the court system. The FBI and the federal court system have issued
nationwide alerts on their web sites, warning consumers about the fraud.

For more information: http://www.fbi.gov/page2/june06/jury_scams060206.htm
OR http://www.snopes.com/crime/fraud/juryduty.asp

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Do You Need Help To Stop Credit Card Offers?
Are you tired of shredding credit card offers? I am. The following web site
will allow you to reduce the number of new credit card offers you receive.
You may check with Experion or any other credit service, if you are
unsure of any information you supply.

How to Opt-out of pre-screened credit offers
If you would like to reduce the number of pre-screened credit and insurance offers you are receiving, visit www.optoutprescreen.com or call 1-888-5OptOut (1-888-567-8688) to opt-out of these offers. This is a free service to consumers offered by the major credit bureaus.

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