Good ‘Luck
5 WAYS TO DEAL WITH ANNOYING ROBOCALLS
2 STORIES TO MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD THIS ST. PATRICK’S DAY Whether you clutch a rabbit’s foot or toss salt over your shoulder, everyone knows it can’t hurt to have a little luck. But as the following stories show, good luck isn’t found in the charms we carry or the superstitions we believe; sometimes, good luck comes from our actions. Reunited With ‘a Friend’ — and Dozens of Others In 1960, newlyweds Bill and Wilhelmina Zandbelt left their life in the Netherlands to immigrate to Canada, leaving behind family, memories, and Bill’s beloved 1950s DKW motorcycle. Bill tried to trace his bike’s ownership for a number of years before losing track of the one thing he desperately had wanted to bring to his new Canadian home. It finally arrived in 2020. After hunting down Bill’s original DKW motorcycle and spending countless hours on restoration with an expert, Bill’s son, Vince Zandbelt, gifted his father the “friend” he “left behind” for Bill’s 90th birthday and his 60th anniversary with Wilhelmina. Sadly, Wilhelmina had passed just three weeks prior, making the occasion that much more emotional for Bill.
PROTECT YOUR IDENTITYAND 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.”
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