5WAYS TO DEALWITH ANNOYING ROBOCALLS Protect Your Identity and Kick Scammers to the Curb According to the latest data, scammers and telemarketers make 1,528 robocalls to Americans every single second . No wonder they’re driving us all crazy! Some of these calls are legitimate reminders about doctor’s appointments and payment plans, but around 55% of them are just nuisances — and we can’t rely on the government to stop them. If you’re sick of hearing about “your car’s extended warranty” or the “student loans” you paid off 40 years ago, try these five tips to cut down on robocalls and outwit scammers. 1. Explore your carrier’s free tools. AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all offer services to cut down on scam calls. Some of them are free and/or come with your phone, but others you have to pay for or activate. If you have Verizon, for example, you can download the “Verizon Call Filter” app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Visit your carrier’s website or call them to learn about the tools they offer. 2. Download an ad blocker. For extra protection, you can download a separate ad blocker from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Hiya is a free app that will give you caller ID and block spam calls, and Nomorobo is an award-winning option that’s free for landlines and costs $1.99 per month for cellphones. 3. When in doubt, let it ring out. If you don’t recognize the number calling, don’t answer. You can always call back if they leave a legitimate voicemail. 4. Suspect spam? Hang up. So, you accidentally answered a spam call. Whether it’s a person or a robot on the line, hang up immediately! Even saying your name or the word “yes” could set you up for identity theft. 5. Handle voicemails with care. If you get a suspicious voicemail, never call the number or visit the website given by the caller. Instead, Google the company or agency they claimed to be with and call that number. If the real agency has no idea about the call, you’ve just escaped a trap. By taking all five of these steps, you can protect yourself and your wallet from Ponzi schemes, identity thieves, and annoying telemarketers. For even more specific advice, visit AARP.com and search “The Definitive Guide to Reducing Robocalls.”
DENIED SSD BENEFITS?
All Hope Isn’t Lost
Few things feel more crushing than opening up a letter from the Social Security Administration and seeing a bunch of legalese that boils down to these dreadful words: “Your application for Social Security Disability benefits has been denied.” Things might look hopeless at that moment, but you shouldn’t give up! Many of our clients have been in your shoes, and today they receive regular disability checks. They didn’t pull off a miracle to make that happen. They simply exercised their legal right to file an appeal within 60 days of their denial. Over 60% of people who appeal their cases ultimately win. The appeals process involves three main steps: reconsideration, the hearing, and the federal court review. You can be approved or denied at any of the steps in the process. Reconsideration comes first. During that step, the government will assign a new person to look over your application. If you’re denied again at this step, don’t worry: About 90% of people are. You can appeal again and move on to the next step. In the next phase, you can request a hearing in front of an administrative law judge. This is a more important step than reconsideration because you’ll have the opportunity to testify and give additional details about your situation. Sometime after your hearing, the judge makes a ruling. If it’s in your favor, you now qualify for benefits! If not, you have the option to appeal again to the Appeals Council. If they decide that the judge didn’t follow the rules or treated you unfairly, they can grant you a new hearing. If you disagree with the Appeals Council’s decision, you can bring the matter to the Federal Court. If all of this sounds a little intimidating, we get it. That’s why our team at the Packard Law Firm is here to help. We can file the appeal with you, brainstorm a strategy for your case, help you gather evidence, and guide you through the hearing and cross- examination process. Dealing with the Social Security Administration is scary, but you don’t have to do it alone, and you shouldn’t give up hope. If you have questions about your appeal, call us today or visit our website.
2 PACKARDFIRM.COM
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator