DEAR HELOISE: My friends took a trip to South America. They stayed at different resorts and visited many parks and other interesting places.
Once they returned home, they found that their phones had been “stolen.” Not the actual phones, but their account.
Someone was able to make changes to the account, adding international features that added large charges to their bill.
They had to call their cell phone provider and speak to the fraud department to finally get their account back to where it should be. They were able to keep the same cell phone number, but it was quite time-consuming to straighten out the account.
They also found that their credit-card number had been stolen and used to make large purchases. Since they had stayed at several places, it was impossible to determine where or when their information was stolen.
So, I would caution any travelers to be careful, because there are thieves out there just waiting to steal your information or identity.
- Ruth in Texas
DEAR READER: Yikes! It makes one never want to leave home. It’s important to let your cell phone and credit-card companies know that you will be traveling, especially if you’re going out of the country. They can put an alert on your account for unusual activity.
DEAR HELOISE: I try to go to the gym after work, and I use the lockers for my gym bag. With the flu and other sicknesses about, when I bring my gym bag home, I spray it inside and out with a germ-killing spray, especially the bottom, where it sat in the locker. So far, I have been able to avoid getting sick.
- M.C. in New York
DEAR HELOISE: This is in response to the person who wanted everyone to take a stray shopping cart into the store to clear the parking lot. I am amazed at the number of people who are too lazy to take their shopping carts to the corral. They will make a huge effort to anchor it up on a curb, or simply leave it by where their car was.
If you are disabled and can’t return the cart, ask someone to help you take out your groceries. If I see someone who is finishing loading the car as I walk by, I offer to take the cart.
- Karen, via e-mail
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or e-mail Heloise@Heloise.com
Style, Pages 32 on 03/12/2013
Print Headline: HELPFUL HINTS
Comments on: HELPFUL HINTS
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