5 Ways to Deal With 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.
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.”
2. Download an ad blocker. For extra protection, you can download a separate ad blocker from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Preparing for A Great Week Ahead
them. Use a planner to pencil in the times that you want to dedicate to working out. This way, you
Sundays are often accompanied by anxiety and an overwhelming sense of pressure for the week ahead. When your body experiences anticipation anxiety, it goes into fight or flight mode. What gives and how can you beat the dread? Building a Sunday night routine can help you to feel calm and prepared for your week. Here are some ideas to get yourself off to a great start for the upcoming week. Prepare meals. Even if meal prepping isn’t your thing, mapping out your breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the week takes away a lot of the stress of last-minute meal planning. Once you know what you’ll make or when you’ll dine out or order takeout, you can then make a grocery list. A great option for easy meals is to utilize your slow cooker for one or two meals. All you need to do is throw everything in before you leave the house!
have time carved out in your day.
While writing it down doesn’t guarantee you’ll go to the gym, it helps to keep you focused.
Schedule nonwork-related tasks. Carving out time in a planner for reading a chapter in your favorite book, grabbing coffee with your friends, picking your kids up from school, or visiting your mom ensures that you aren’t rushing, forgetting, or surprised by anything. While these things don’t seem like something that needs to be scheduled, the blocks in your planner serve as reminders. Sunday nights don’t have to be a bummer if you spend them making sure that your week flows smoothly. Build yourself a routine, and the thought of Monday won’t seem so scary!
To avoid adding to a hectic week, get that grocery shopping done on Sunday evening.
Schedule your exercise for the week. Do you take any group classes? If so, get registered for
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