Qui Custodes

Holloween tip

Actaully saw a good tip at a bank yesterday.  They had a sign up which said (more or less) "So we can all have a safe Holloween, masks are not allowed in the bank. Please take your mask off before you enter."

Brilliant!  What dingdong wears a mask into a bank?  Apparently a lot of people and not just kids either.  So ...

You should not allow masks in your office either. Costumes?  No problem.  I love Holloween.  Face paint?  Great!  But absolutely NO masks. 

Elder Abuse--financial

This is a topic I don't usually write about.  But my mother died a few months ago and I've come to realize how important this is.  Now, I don't know a lot about this topic but I ran into a column by Michelle Singletary in the Washington Post that addresses the abuse of our elder parents by relatives and caregivers.  It's worth reading.  But I think it's so important that I'm going to do something I don't think I have ever done:  I'm copying directly her tips below.

-- Is the senior receiving information about or being asked to invest in unregistered securities or start-up companies? (You'll have to do some research to find this out.) Securities fraud can be detected by checking with your state securities regulator. Contact information is available at http://www.nasaa.org.

-- Is the investment high-risk or possibly speculative, involving such things as oil and gas exploration, new or untested technologies, rare metals, or currency trading?

-- Has the senior been asked to sign blank paperwork or to give discretionary authority over her accounts to an adviser?

-- Is the senior complaining that his investment adviser won't give him his account statements or documentation?

-- Has the senior made out a check directly to the adviser or broker for the purchase of an investment?

There's information on NASAA's Web site that will assist you in helping seniors avoid these problems. Go to http://www.nasaa.org and search for "Senior Investor Resource Center." To report elder abuse you can contact an adult protective services office at http://www.apsnetwork.org or through the National Center on Elder Abuse at http://www.ncea.aoa.gov or 800-677-1116.

Check it out people and let's protect our parents.

Change to Subject

On a totally different subject, to protect yourself, you might want to read Michelle Singletary's column on how to protect your family if/when you die.  Bottom line:  make sure everyone knows where things are located and what has to be done next.  It's important.

stop being so shy

Here's a story to make my point:  I was out last night with my 17 year-old daughter. We were visiting friends & watching the fights (she loves the fights & is a fighter herself).  My friends had their sons with them. So it was me, 4 adult men, my daughter and about 9 teenage boys.  Most of the boys were fine but 1 of them wouldn't leave her alone.  He kept putting hands on her. Finally she leaned over & told me she would clock him if he kept it up. I told her "go ahead".  So she did.  An Elbow to the kidney.  Hard.  So he left her alone. 

Now, the moral, ladies, girls, boys and gents is actually simple:  you have the right to defend yourself and you don't have to be shy about it.  In fact, being shy about defending yourself is an invitation to being hassled. So, learn from this story.  If you are being bothered, touched, aggressed against, Do Something About It.  Stand up for yourselves.  Only YOU are entitled to decide what's too much. 

The Hitman Scam

I don't like to call attention to these things but there's a "new" scam out there that is causing people some grief.  What happens is they get an email or a note or something telling them that a contract to kill them has been placed but the hitman has a conscience.  So if they will just pay off the hitman, the contract will be canceled.  This is nonsense and absurd and illogical.  Think about it.  So the hit man refuses to act.  Is the person who put out the contract going to be dissuaded?  No.  Would the hitman take the chance that the person issuing the contract will want revenge on the hitman?  No. Is there such a thing as a professional hitman who has such a tender conscience?  No.

If someone pulls this stunt on you, call the police. It's extortion.  If you doubt me, the FBI knows about this and gives advice.   Bottom line--don't fall for it.

Hints From Heloise

I wish I could find the durn thing online.  Last week there was a letter from a former police officer that the "Hints from Heloise" column published.  It was a short letter--only 3 paragraphs--but it managed to please me and enrage me all at the same time.  First, why it pleased me:  He suggested that people put their important medical information with their Driver's license so it could be found in case of emergency.  That's a good idea.

But then he went off the rails:  he basically blows off cell phones entirely.  That's not just dumb, that's wrong.  For several years now people have been told to put their emergency contact information on the phone under "I C E" [In Case of Emergency] and anybody who ignores this new protocol is just plain wrong!  Everyone should do that. 

As an aside, I've got to wonder about his comment re:  garage door openers and glove boxes too.  After all, it is the police who insist we have license and registration in every car.  What does this guy think is on the registration for Pete's sake?

Computer Spyware is Everywhere

Even from sources you don't expect.  You really must read Brian Schneier's blog on Sears' new program on Jan. 3rd.  Apparently if you join Sears' "My SHC Community" and install their software Sears can monitor all internet traffic, including a lot of secure information. 

I join with Brian in describing this level of monitoring as scary as he!!.  And I've got to wonder if Sears' lawyers knew what they were doing.  Seems to me it's a big problem. 

Cold weather

With winter upon us (and especially the snow & ice storms) I thought it might be a good idea to post a few tips or material about cold weather survival.  First of all, the Centers for Disease Control has a very good site for how to cope with Extreme Cold.  You should read it to get a basic idea of what goes on and what you should do to protect yourself and your family. 

security in Church

The Colorado shootings have highlighted a growing trend:  Churches need security too.  This has been well known to the Jewish community for years.  In fact, the Anti-Defamation League has published a Security Manual designed for synagogues but applicable to almost any house of worship.  If you are concerned about the security of your church, temple, or mosque, you should download this manual.  It is filled with lots of useful information for you to consider and apply as you see fit. 

Call them back

I was just reading about another of the various credit card or bank scams that are going around like a flu virus.  But they all have 1 thing in common:  they try to get you to give them information over the phone.  Don't do it!  But it can be hard to resist.  So try this:  tell them that you will call them back.  But DO NOT ask for a telephone number.  Please do not ask for a telephone number.  No, no no!!

Be responsible and careful instead.  You call the customer service number on your credit card or for your bank. That way you know who you are talking to and have some confidence that your information will not be misused.

Funny thing, too:  you never, ever get the person you were just talking to.  It's always a scam.  So, don't talk to them-call them back!