Sunday, March 27, 2016

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Info I wish I had before Today

Stop Unsolicited Mail, Phone Calls, & Email


Tired of having your mailbox crammed with unsolicited mail, including preapproved credit card applications? Fed up with getting telemarketing calls ju5st as you're sitting down to dinner? Fuming that your email inbox is chock-full of unsolicited advertising? The good news is that you can cut down on the number of unsolicited mailings, calls, and emails you receive by learning where to go to "just say no."
Direct Marketers
Telemarketing
Mail & Email
 or mail your request with a $1 processing fee to:
DMAchoice
Direct Marketing Association
P.O. Box 643
Carmel, NY 10512


Cell Phones and The Do Not Call Registry


Despite viral email, there is no new cell phone database.
Consumers may place their cell phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry to notify marketers that they don't want to get unsolicited telemarketing calls.
The truth about cell phones and the Do Not Call Registry is:

  • The government is not releasing cell phone numbers to telemarketers.
  • There is no deadline for registering a cell phone number on the Do Not Call Registry.
  • Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations prohibit telemarketers from using automated dialers to call cell phone numbers without prior consent. Automated dialers are standard in the industry, so most telemarketers are barred from calling consumers' cell phones without their consent.
  • There is only one Do Not Call Registry, operated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), with information available at donotcall.gov. There is no separate registry for cell phones.
  • The Do Not Call Registry accepts registrations from both cell phones and land lines. To register by telephone, call 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236). You must call from the phone number that you want to register. To register online (donotcall.gov), you will have to respond to a confirmation email.
  • If you have registered a mobile or other telephone number already, you don't need to re-register. Once registered, a telephone number stays on the Do Not Call Registry until the registration is canceled or service for the number is discontinued.
Computer Security

Computer
Alarming messages on your computer warning that a ‘free’ scan has found malware could be a rip-off.
Secure your computer and protect yourself from hackers, scammers, and identity thieves.
This Q&A can help answer questions you have about cookies and online tracking.
Getting rid of a computer? Follow these instructions to protect your personal information.
What to do if you think your email or social networking account has been hacked.
Here’s how to prevent a thief from snatching your laptop — and all the valuable information it houses.
Steps you can take to avoid, detect, and get rid of viruses and spyware.
Consider these computer security risks before you share files through a P2P network.
What to do about messages that ask for your personal information.
Who is calling out of the blue, claiming to be able to "fix" your computer? A scammer, that’s who.
Devices
What to know about apps that help you make purchases and find deals in brick-and-mortar stores.
Dispose of your mobile phone safely.
Consider these questions before you download a mobile app.
When you shop for an internet camera, put security features at the top of your list. Here are tips to help.
Networks
Protect the wireless network in your home.
Here’s how you can protect your personal information when you’re using public Wi-Fi hotspots.
All information in this article has been provided by 
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

Saturday, March 05, 2016

Retirement of Things

The actual retirement, you know the part of not going to work anymore is awesome and hasn't worn off yet, but (and this is a big BUT) everything else seems to have hiccups or large stop signs.

I am medically retired and made it to about 246 months, give or take a day or two.  That should mean something in the veteran world, at least,!  don't you think?
I can't complain too much about Tricare that was a big winner for all that time in service, but they haven't lived up to there part of the deal either.
The DAV actually has helped me more while I was active duty than retired thus far and I'm a paid in full life member. There are 2 organizations that helped us out big time that first month, the Semper Fi Fund and  SALUTE, Inc.
Then there is the VA, if you've just got a glimpse of my handicap issues then you'd know I need the healthcare part.  Just a quick side note, where did all that money go that Congress gave them a few years ago?
We thought that at least the dental part would be helped, since I have TMD, grinding and  clenching, and tooth and gum problems.  The last time I had dental work I had to have it in the Operating Room at a hospital, just to make sure I didn't die during the dental work, and I still went info the ICU and was kept overnight.  So in short, I need massive dental "insurance".
I have slew of other issues that I haven't even been seen by an initial doctor.  Big one is orthopedics, if I could get a hip replacement, then maybe just maybe I could walk with a "walker".  But the longer VA waits the more my legs aprotree(sp.) and walking may never happen.
Really I could go on and on, but using this software I have to type for me is fucking difficult,  and the punctuation is a bitch.  Plus I slur my words alot after seizures and right after I get up in the morning.
I'll say this if care doesn't improve real soon my caregivers' and I will probably have depression as our or your main worry.