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
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.”
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
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3 Tips for Mastering Clutter
Whatever you do, though, don’t create “maybe” piles! This is how clutter accumulates.
At some point, we all look at our closets and think, “Where did all this junk come from!?” Inspired to organize, we try to clear the mess, but it’s not always that easy. How do you know what to keep and what to toss? What if your kid(s) or grandchildren want that piece of furniture or jewelry? Where do you even begin?
Take your time.
Cut the noise! We have a checklist to get you started this spring.
This is not a chore you have to complete in an afternoon. If you need
Start with piles.
time to think about what you want to keep, or if you have a big mess to sort through, allot a set amount of time for your work. For instance, you could set aside one hour every afternoon for sorting through your belongings. Piece by piece, you will clear your space.
You don’t have to make any decisions immediately. Create piles for items to filter into as you stumble upon them. For instance, you may have a pile of items you intend to keep and store in your home. The next pile could be for donations, and a third pile is for items you are throwing away. If you are unsure about some of your items, you can try two things. The first is to create a pile for your family or friends to sort through. They may want to keep something you’re unsure about, or they could give you advice. The second option is to make a snap decision and then gauge how you feel. For instance, if you regret placing a shirt in the donation pile, you may not be ready to part with it. 2 floridaestateplanning.com
Don’t fall into old habits.
When putting the items you choose to keep back into the space they came from, avoid old sorting habits. Instead, use bins, shelves, racks, and other sorting tools to store these items. Play around with placing certain items in new places, and be imaginative with your space. A contractor, professional organizers, or friends and family members can provide a fresh set of eyes, too!
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