• Re: Resend virus stuff w

    From Nancy Backus@454:1/452 to Daryl Stout on Fri Jun 19 00:00:08 2020
    Quoting Daryl Stout to Nancy Backus on 13-Jun-2020 11:16 <=-

    And lately, a lot of medicare scam-type calls... with a little spate
    in between of auto insurance and extended warranty calls...

    I'm getting a ton of those on the cellphones. I've even gotten scam
    calls threatening to cut off my Social Security because of "incorrect info". I noted the number, and went to the Social Security Website to report the fraud. At least I have an app in place to block the scam number, and report it to a database.

    So far, I've been rather fortunate to not have gotten any of the really
    nasty scam calls.... unless they'd been the ones that hung up before I
    got to them.... And the ones I have gotten, if it's a computer recorded
    voice, I have no compunction about just hanging up on them once I figure
    out where they are going...

    Seems a lot of people that do use their cell phones for business have
    made the effort to have their name come up on the ID, which is handy
    and reassuring... ;)

    If I can't identify the caller, I let voice mail take it. On my
    line, I make note about the BBS, ham radio, or square dancing (my 3 hobbies)...and some have thought they dialed the wrong number. <G>

    My landline doesn't take messages, but I do have Caller Id... If I'm
    home, I probably will answer just about any call that rings for more
    than three rings (takes that long to get there, often enough) or that I recognise as valid...

    Unless one is wise to the ploy and only answers the ones that are
    totally recognized... and otherwise presumes that it's likely to be
    bogus... Particularly on my cell phone, if it comes up with the same
    area code and exchange, I discount it to being spam/scam... I know no
    one else that shares that with me... :) If it turned out to be valid,
    they'd leave a message hopefully (and the scammers that do, are
    immediately obvious as such)....

    It's amazing all the schemes scammers are using...and sadly, many
    folks are falling for it. If it sounds too good to be true, it likely
    is. I have a bulletin on the BBS about "Fraud -- You Lose".

    The best way not to be scammed is to not need or want what they are
    offering... then one sounds convincing when one says no thank you... ;)

    I supposed there could be heightened awareness at the moment... I tend
    more to a more laissez faire attitude anyway, and expect that as things
    run their course I'll just drop back to how I was.... Others might not,
    I suppose... :)

    An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure...but in so many
    cases, it has become extreme overkill, IMO.

    I have no problem with reasonable precautions, but when it becomes
    overkill, I quietly just don't bother doing, unless totally unavoidable.

    ttyl neb

    ... Mobius strippers never show you their back side.

    --- EzyBlueWave V3.00 01FB001F
    * Origin: Tiny's BBS - http://www.tinysbbs.com (454:1/452)
  • From Nancy Backus@454:1/452 to Barry Martin on Fri Jun 19 00:25:08 2020
    Quoting Barry Martin to Nancy Backus on 13-Jun-2020 09:42 <=-

    True... last few days the spam/scam calls have all been the credit
    card variants.... or hangups....
    Pretty much the same here.
    And lately, a lot of medicare scam-type calls... with a little
    spate in between of auto insurance and extended warranty calls...
    We didn't get too many of those, and lately they have been swapped out with the whichever is the one with the one guy calling from all over
    the country. If we don't recognize the number let it go to the
    answering machine, check later: "Hi! This --" "Him again! <delete button>".

    No messages can be left here on the landline... The variation here is
    that the same guy uses multiple names.... two days ago, he was Sharon
    Ricotta, today he was Larry Fitzgeral... (Today's I misread as someone's
    name that might have been calling me...) This one's been pushing auto insurance quotes online... I say no thanks, and the computer responds by
    saying oh, ok, no problem and hanging up... :)

    The problem currently is we have to monitor the calls as we're
    expecting a call from the person overseeing the hail damage project
    here and with COVID-19 they're primarily working from home using
    their cell phones. And if they've moved around some their cell
    number could be from anywhere.
    Seems a lot of people that do use their cell phones for business
    have made the effort to have their name come up on the ID, which is
    handy and reassuring... ;)
    With the roof contact people about a third have their name come up.

    Well, that's better than none, I guess....

    Sort of speaking of cell phone names, one carrier doing it here but
    not quite right: if a group -- the four lines for $25 each offer -- the name of the account holder comes up. So now when Autumn's mother calls the name of her sister appears! When Autumn's father calls his sister-in-law's name comes up!

    My nephew was the account holder on a deal like that a while ago... had himself, his brother, my son, and maybe a sister or cousin for the
    fourth... I had to look at the number itself to see if it was really
    Alex or it was one of the others, like my son... ;)

    We did verify they're aware of that little problem and they do leave
    messages, either for pickup or so the client can call back.
    That works nicely, too....
    Yes -- work with the problem every including themselves is having.

    And often they really don't have any control over what shows for their
    phones, unlike the scammers....

    My spam e-mail reception from my "Q" account (the former Qwest phone
    company, now owned by CenturyLink) goes from tons then slowly
    decreased to almost nothing and nothing. It'll then stay at the
    acceptable dribble level for months, then suddenly shoot up and repeat
    the cycle. Almost like they put in a new filter which has to be
    trained.
    Maybe... or just a system upgrade that the filter has to get used to...
    Apparently the latter as the Junk Mail folder in that account is
    almost always empty, and I don't get too many junk mails sneaking
    through. So between the mail server's filter and the one I have here
    not bad.

    So it's working now, anyway... :)

    As I understand it, it's a function of doing calls with VoIP... they
    can give themself any number they wish....
    Ah, OK. And apparently they change their number constantly to make it
    more difficult to trace.
    Precisely... also to make it seem as though your neighbor is
    calling... :)
    Right, which tend to make one a hare more off-guard while one racks
    their brain on who the voice belongs to.
    Unless one is wise to the ploy and only answers the ones that are
    totally recognized... and otherwise presumes that it's likely to be
    bogus... Particularly on my cell phone, if it comes up with the same
    area code and exchange, I discount it to being spam/scam... I know no
    one else that shares that with me... :) If it turned out to be valid,
    they'd leave a message hopefully (and the scammers that do, are
    immediately obvious as such)....
    That little trick wouldn't work here: 332- 381- 388- 355- 359- and
    that's the original of the Davenport and Bettendorf exchanges from
    years ago. When I was at the apartment complex I had a 359- and a
    friend downstairs had 355-.

    In our neighborhood, we've had I think 3 different exchanges for the
    area, 328- 436- and something else... my next-door neighbor's was
    different from mine... But I was thinking more that my cellphone's
    exchange is 259-, and nobody I know has that exchange besides me... But
    most (or at least many) of the spam/scam calls to my cell are coming up
    with that exchange... dead give-away... At least my cellphone does take messages, unlike the landline... ;)

    True... As long as the restrictions are only for a limited time and
    for a recognizable reason... Hopefully the normal we were used to will
    return again... :)
    I'm thinking a revised normal (a.k.a. the new normal), at least in the
    near future. One group of people will be maintaining and therefore
    requiring social distancing, not touching/cleaning surfaces, and the
    like
    There's always been some degree of that among some people... it's just
    been more of a minority thing....
    Yes; plus everyone is more aware of the, for example, social
    distancing detail. Thinking the accidental bumping into a stranger
    while walking down a sidewalk. Before: "watch where you're going!".
    Now: "you trying to kill me?!". ...Before, go to a restaurant and
    waterspots on the silverware was sort of a lightly raised eyebrow and
    wipe with the napkin. Now... ??
    I supposed there could be heightened awareness at the moment... I tend
    more to a more laissez faire attitude anyway, and expect that as things
    run their course I'll just drop back to how I was.... Others might not,
    I suppose... :)
    I and probably most people will 'drop back' as things return to
    normal, or the revised normal. Right now 'hightened awareness' and everything is suspect. I picked up my presciption the other day -- the pharmacy tech had a little tickle in her throat so naturally coughed; I jokingly went "gaaa!" and theatrically did a shielding of myself -- brought a laugh to her and the other staff -- she said she needed that relief.

    SOmetimes one simply has to resort to a sense of humor to break the
    seriousness of everything around... <G>

    Possibly. European (or at least Austrian and Slovakian) lawyers seem
    to be a lot more laid back than American. When the land was
    transferred to the Slovakian part of the family my Mother (and
    Father's) lawyer drew up some multi-page contract, signed, and
    notarized. Gets over there, those lawyers said all that was needed was
    a paper saying she (my Mother) agreed to giving the land. Essentially
    a paragraph, maybe two.
    Probably better to have done more than required than to find out that
    you hadn't done enough. though... ;) The last remaining hurdle for us
    to close out my mother's probate is to get the final report to my
    sister in England and then a signed and notarized (by a US notary at
    the embassy in London) receipt and release form back from her.... we
    have them for everyone else... and then take those with a final report
    back to the court... Covid restricting travel put a crimp into our
    planned schedule... but I'm sure the court will understand... :)
    I'd probably contact the court, directly or indirectly, to keep aware
    of difficulties and delays. Might be international participants isn't
    as common as we think.

    They are already aware of this particular (at least in possibility)
    snag... we've had to let them know of other slowdowns in the process
    already, and I mentioned at one of them that this was another potential
    snag, dealing with this out-of-country heir.... And if they look at the
    ongoing paperwork it's obvious that her address is in the UK.... :)

    I suppose it could actually be considered a public service, to let
    the public know what is available now, and as things open up... :)
    I've been hearing regular advertisers tailoring their ads to let
    people know to what extent they are able to be open (take-out,
    curbside retail, etc) and similar in the sponsor spiels on public
    radio... ;)
    Yes, might be considered as in the Public Service Announcement arena,
    and a bit of a trickle-down effect: I see/hear Matilda's Millet
    Muffins is open for curbside, hey: I wonder if Barbara's Bran Bagels
    is open still too?!
    Of course one can always just drive by one's favorite spots and
    check out the progress... ;) We see a lot of signs out front saying
    "Open for Takeout", often with a phone number... :)
    Yes, a lot of that type of signage here too - which makes sense. Back
    in the pre-COVID-19 days drive by earlier in the morning, don't see
    cars in the parking lot, you open? No won't see cars in the parking
    lot, COVID-19 regulations have closed a lot of places, don't know if partially opened. I'm not sure what good the phone number does on the placard putt-putting by at 25 MPH -- suppose at least a reminder to
    look up the number when get home.

    And now, as of the end of last week, we are in Phase 3, and restaurants
    can do limited eat-in again... One diner, usually open 24/7 (except Christmas), was one that had the open for takeout with phone number sign
    out... I noticed today that there was a sign in the window of the place
    now that said "Now Open for Eat-In"... :)

    As to the sign... I suppose one could have tied up traffic while jotting
    down the number... ;)

    ttyl neb

    ... !!evirD-draH ym pu kcab nac I woN !!esrever dnuof I

    --- EzyBlueWave V3.00 01FB001F
    * Origin: Tiny's BBS - http://www.tinysbbs.com (454:1/452)
  • From Barry Martin@454:1/1 to Nancy Backus on Fri Jun 19 19:47:00 2020

    Hi Nancy!

    True... last few days the spam/scam calls have all been the credit
    card variants.... or hangups....
    Pretty much the same here.
    And lately, a lot of medicare scam-type calls... with a little
    spate in between of auto insurance and extended warranty calls...
    We didn't get too many of those, and lately they have been swapped out with the whichever is the one with the one guy calling from all over
    the country. If we don't recognize the number let it go to the
    answering machine, check later: "Hi! This --" "Him again! <delete button>".
    No messages can be left here on the landline... The variation
    here is that the same guy uses multiple names.... two days ago,
    he was Sharon Ricotta, today he was Larry Fitzgeral... (Today's
    I misread as someone's name that might have been calling me...)
    This one's been pushing auto insurance quotes online... I say no
    thanks, and the computer responds by saying oh, ok, no problem
    and hanging up... :)

    Hmm: a polite computer! I don't recall if had the insurance quotes -
    I'm usually up here or outside and don't get to the answering machine
    first. There have been a few related to roof damage from the hail storm
    but those have pretty much tapered off to zero. Most are with health insurance of some sort.


    The problem currently is we have to monitor the calls as we're
    expecting a call from the person overseeing the hail damage project
    here and with COVID-19 they're primarily working from home using
    their cell phones. And if they've moved around some their cell
    number could be from anywhere.
    Seems a lot of people that do use their cell phones for business
    have made the effort to have their name come up on the ID, which is
    handy and reassuring... ;)
    With the roof contact people about a third have their name come up.
    Well, that's better than none, I guess....

    Yes. ...A lot seems to be the problem of the name not being able to be
    be attached ot the cell phone number still. A couple of people we know
    have now have their name, or a name: that of the person owning the
    account. Autumn's parents now come up with the name of Autumn's Aunt
    because she owns the cellphone group account.


    Sort of speaking of cell phone names, one carrier doing it here but
    not quite right: if a group -- the four lines for $25 each offer -- the name of the account holder comes up. So now when Autumn's mother calls the name of her sister appears! When Autumn's father calls his sister-in-law's name comes up!
    My nephew was the account holder on a deal like that a while
    ago... had himself, his brother, my son, and maybe a sister or
    cousin for the fourth... I had to look at the number itself to
    see if it was really Alex or it was one of the others, like my
    son... ;)

    So same situation. Sort of liked the old display better as far as not
    reading the 'wrong' name.


    We did verify they're aware of that little problem and they do leave
    messages, either for pickup or so the client can call back.
    That works nicely, too....
    Yes -- work with the problem every including themselves is having.
    And often they really don't have any control over what shows for
    their phones, unlike the scammers....

    Oddly enough correct. The legit phone folks need to hire a reformed
    scammer or two to fix the problem!!


    My spam e-mail reception from my "Q" account (the former Qwest phone
    company, now owned by CenturyLink) goes from tons then slowly
    decreased to almost nothing and nothing. It'll then stay at the
    acceptable dribble level for months, then suddenly shoot up and repeat
    the cycle. Almost like they put in a new filter which has to be
    trained.
    Maybe... or just a system upgrade that the filter has to get used to...
    Apparently the latter as the Junk Mail folder in that account is
    almost always empty, and I don't get too many junk mails sneaking
    through. So between the mail server's filter and the one I have here
    not bad.
    So it's working now, anyway... :)

    Yes, shortly to train the new account. Router installed this morning, corrected that, just have to switch the computers over and the Backend
    (the one recording the TV programmes) is being stubborn. Updating it
    the new IP address was easy enough, the database is not wanting to let
    go of the old address: updating/correcting not holding.


    As I understand it, it's a function of doing calls with VoIP... they
    can give themself any number they wish....
    Ah, OK. And apparently they change their number constantly to make it
    more difficult to trace.
    Precisely... also to make it seem as though your neighbor is
    calling... :)
    Right, which tend to make one a hare more off-guard while one racks
    their brain on who the voice belongs to.
    Unless one is wise to the ploy and only answers the ones that are
    totally recognized... and otherwise presumes that it's likely to be
    bogus... Particularly on my cell phone, if it comes up with the same
    area code and exchange, I discount it to being spam/scam... I know no
    one else that shares that with me... :) If it turned out to be valid,
    they'd leave a message hopefully (and the scammers that do, are
    immediately obvious as such)....
    That little trick wouldn't work here: 332- 381- 388- 355- 359- and
    that's the original of the Davenport and Bettendorf exchanges from
    years ago. When I was at the apartment complex I had a 359- and a
    friend downstairs had 355-.
    In our neighborhood, we've had I think 3 different exchanges for
    the area, 328- 436- and something else... my next-door neighbor's
    was different from mine... But I was thinking more that my
    cellphone's exchange is 259-, and nobody I know has that exchange
    besides me... But most (or at least many) of the spam/scam calls
    to my cell are coming up with that exchange... dead give-away...
    At least my cellphone does take messages, unlike the landline...
    ;)

    I gave just the landline exchanges; cell phones'... let's see: 271-,
    676-, 343- , 209-....



    True... As long as the restrictions are only for a limited time and
    for a recognizable reason... Hopefully the normal we were used to will
    return again... :)
    I'm thinking a revised normal (a.k.a. the new normal), at least in the
    near future. One group of people will be maintaining and therefore
    requiring social distancing, not touching/cleaning surfaces, and the
    like
    There's always been some degree of that among some people... it's just
    been more of a minority thing....
    Yes; plus everyone is more aware of the, for example, social
    distancing detail. Thinking the accidental bumping into a stranger
    while walking down a sidewalk. Before: "watch where you're going!".
    Now: "you trying to kill me?!". ...Before, go to a restaurant and
    waterspots on the silverware was sort of a lightly raised eyebrow and
    wipe with the napkin. Now... ??
    I supposed there could be heightened awareness at the moment... I tend
    more to a more laissez faire attitude anyway, and expect that as things
    run their course I'll just drop back to how I was.... Others might not,
    I suppose... :)
    I and probably most people will 'drop back' as things return to
    normal, or the revised normal. Right now 'hightened awareness' and everything is suspect. I picked up my presciption the other day -- the pharmacy tech had a little tickle in her throat so naturally coughed; I jokingly went "gaaa!" and theatrically did a shielding of myself -- brought a laugh to her and the other staff -- she said she needed that relief.
    SOmetimes one simply has to resort to a sense of humor to break
    the seriousness of everything around... <G>

    Yes, my pharmacy counter visits are relatively easy: usually just
    refills, last time did have a "no refills left" according to the lable; brought that up, tech locks at the label, "nope: you have six left". I
    look surprised (because I am): "Gee, you're _good_!! Take care of my
    problems before I get here!" (She liked that one too.)
    prob


    Possibly. European (or at least Austrian and Slovakian) lawyers seem
    to be a lot more laid back than American. When the land was
    transferred to the Slovakian part of the family my Mother (and
    Father's) lawyer drew up some multi-page contract, signed, and
    notarized. Gets over there, those lawyers said all that was needed was
    a paper saying she (my Mother) agreed to giving the land. Essentially
    a paragraph, maybe two.
    Probably better to have done more than required than to find out that
    you hadn't done enough. though... ;) The last remaining hurdle for us
    to close out my mother's probate is to get the final report to my
    sister in England and then a signed and notarized (by a US notary at
    the embassy in London) receipt and release form back from her.... we
    have them for everyone else... and then take those with a final report
    back to the court... Covid restricting travel put a crimp into our
    planned schedule... but I'm sure the court will understand... :)
    I'd probably contact the court, directly or indirectly, to keep aware
    of difficulties and delays. Might be international participants isn't
    as common as we think.
    They are already aware of this particular (at least in
    possibility) snag... we've had to let them know of other
    slowdowns in the process already, and I mentioned at one of them
    that this was another potential snag, dealing with this
    out-of-country heir.... And if they look at the ongoing paperwork
    it's obvious that her address is in the UK.... :)

    They look but might not see/comprehend -- IMO always a good idea to
    gently remind.


    I suppose it could actually be considered a public service, to let
    the public know what is available now, and as things open up... :)
    I've been hearing regular advertisers tailoring their ads to let
    people know to what extent they are able to be open (take-out,
    curbside retail, etc) and similar in the sponsor spiels on public
    radio... ;)
    Yes, might be considered as in the Public Service Announcement arena,
    and a bit of a trickle-down effect: I see/hear Matilda's Millet
    Muffins is open for curbside, hey: I wonder if Barbara's Bran Bagels
    is open still too?!
    Of course one can always just drive by one's favorite spots and
    check out the progress... ;) We see a lot of signs out front saying
    "Open for Takeout", often with a phone number... :)
    Yes, a lot of that type of signage here too - which makes sense. Back
    in the pre-COVID-19 days drive by earlier in the morning, don't see
    cars in the parking lot, you open? No won't see cars in the parking
    lot, COVID-19 regulations have closed a lot of places, don't know if partially opened. I'm not sure what good the phone number does on the placard putt-putting by at 25 MPH -- suppose at least a reminder to
    look up the number when get home.
    And now, as of the end of last week, we are in Phase 3, and
    restaurants can do limited eat-in again... One diner, usually
    open 24/7 (except Christmas), was one that had the open for
    takeout with phone number sign out... I noticed today that there
    was a sign in the window of the place now that said "Now Open for Eat-In"... :)

    Horray!! LIS in other messages, Iowa isn't doing "Phases" but more ... announcements? "We're opening or allowing this and this." Restaurants
    are partially open for dine-in. One new thing is during the take-out
    and curbside pickup portion (almost wrote 'phase'!) takeout liquor was
    allowed (could order a margarita for delivery) and that will continue to
    be allowed to help the restaurants get back on their feet.


    As to the sign... I suppose one could have tied up traffic while
    jotting down the number... ;)

    I was thinking more digging the cell phone out to take a picture.

    ¯ ®
    ¯ Barry_Martin_3@ ®
    ¯ @Q.COM ®
    ¯ ®


    ... What happened to the guy who didn't pay the exorcist?
    He got repossessed
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  • From Daryl Stout@454:1/33 to Nancy Backus on Sat Jun 20 11:21:00 2020
    Nancy,

    So far, I've been rather fortunate to not have gotten any of the really nasty scam calls.... unless they'd been the ones that hung up before I
    got to them.... And the ones I have gotten, if it's a computer recorded voice, I have no compunction about just hanging up on them once I
    figure out where they are going...

    A former BBS Sysop (he passed away a year and a half ago from brain
    cancer) and his wife were preparing to be "intimately occupied", when
    one of those telemarketing calls came in. So, they figured "not to let
    a good "making whoopee session" go to waste, they "pulled out all the
    stops". The telemarketer was so embarrassed by all the orgiastic noises,
    that he hung up!! <G>

    My landline doesn't take messages, but I do have Caller Id... If I'm
    home, I probably will answer just about any call that rings for more
    than three rings (takes that long to get there, often enough) or that I recognise as valid...

    I have that on my smartphones, plus I use the Call Control app. Now, if
    you have a carrier like Straight Talk, Call Detector works for it. These basically screen out and block telemarketers, scammers, political,
    charity, and a whole slew of other calls "wanting money".

    The best way not to be scammed is to not need or want what they are offering... then one sounds convincing when one says no thank you... ;)

    I would check with the State Attorney General's office, and the Better Business Bureau to be sure. There was a medical program this morning, advertising this calcium and magnesium supplement...and all the bad
    things that happen without it. Well, I quit taking the multi-vitamin on
    advice from my PCP several months ago, and on the last blood work, only
    the B12 was deficient...that was caused by the prescription strength Ozemprazole, that I take for acid reflux. So, once a month, I get a shot
    in the gleute (butt cheek) to raise the level (the arthritis is so bad
    in the shoulders, that when I get shots there, it makes it very hard to
    sleep, write, etc.). I get full blood work twice a year, since I'm
    Pre-Type 2 diabetic.

    I have no problem with reasonable precautions, but when it becomes overkill, I quietly just don't bother doing, unless totally
    unavoidable.

    True.

    ... Mobius strippers never show you their back side.

    Their reputation is cracked right down the middle...or they're just
    a bunch of buttholes. <G>

    Daryl

    ... The scales in the doctors offices offend me. Remove them!
    === MultiMail/Win32 v0.50
    --- SBBSecho 3.11-Win32
    * Origin: The Thunderbolt BBS - tbolt.synchro.net (454:1/33)
  • From Nancy Backus@454:1/452 to Barry Martin on Fri Jun 26 17:40:24 2020
    Quoting Barry Martin to Nancy Backus on 19-Jun-2020 19:47 <=-

    We didn't get too many of those, and lately they have been swapped out
    with the whichever is the one with the one guy calling from all over
    the country. If we don't recognize the number let it go to the
    answering machine, check later: "Hi! This --" "Him again! <delete
    button>".
    No messages can be left here on the landline... The variation here
    is that the same guy uses multiple names.... two days ago, he was
    Sharon Ricotta, today he was Larry Fitzgeral... (Today's I misread
    as someone's name that might have been calling me...) This one's been
    pushing auto insurance quotes online... I say no thanks, and the
    computer responds by saying oh, ok, no problem and hanging up... :)
    Hmm: a polite computer! I don't recall if had the insurance quotes -
    I'm usually up here or outside and don't get to the answering machine first. There have been a few related to roof damage from the hail
    storm but those have pretty much tapered off to zero. Most are with health insurance of some sort.

    Always somebody hoping you'll fall for their product...

    Sort of speaking of cell phone names, one carrier doing it here but
    not quite right: if a group -- the four lines for $25 each offer -- the
    name of the account holder comes up. So now when Autumn's mother calls
    the name of her sister appears! When Autumn's father calls his
    sister-in-law's name comes up!
    My nephew was the account holder on a deal like that a while ago...
    had himself, his brother, my son, and maybe a sister or cousin for the
    fourth... I had to look at the number itself to see if it was really
    Alex or it was one of the others, like my son... ;)
    So same situation. Sort of liked the old display better as far as not reading the 'wrong' name.

    Yup, same situation... not sure but that some companies may have fixed
    that, or programmed things differently anyway.... but it is a common
    thing to come across.... Currently my friend, on her daughter's plan,
    comes up as "Jenny's Burgers" (no, that's not her name)... ;)

    We did verify they're aware of that little problem and they do leave
    messages, either for pickup or so the client can call back.
    That works nicely, too....
    Yes -- work with the problem every including themselves is having.
    And often they really don't have any control over what shows for
    their phones, unlike the scammers....
    Oddly enough correct. The legit phone folks need to hire a reformed scammer or two to fix the problem!!

    Or run their phone thru VoIP themselves to get the ability...

    My spam e-mail reception from my "Q" account (the former Qwest phone
    company, now owned by CenturyLink) goes from tons then slowly
    decreased to almost nothing and nothing. It'll then stay at the
    acceptable dribble level for months, then suddenly shoot up and repeat
    the cycle. Almost like they put in a new filter which has to be
    trained.
    Maybe... or just a system upgrade that the filter has to get used to...
    Apparently the latter as the Junk Mail folder in that account is
    almost always empty, and I don't get too many junk mails sneaking
    through. So between the mail server's filter and the one I have here
    not bad.
    So it's working now, anyway... :)
    Yes, shortly to train the new account. Router installed this morning, corrected that, just have to switch the computers over and the Backend (the one recording the TV programmes) is being stubborn. Updating it
    the new IP address was easy enough, the database is not wanting to let
    go of the old address: updating/correcting not holding.

    Another glitch....

    I suppose there could be heightened awareness at the moment... I tend
    more to a more laissez faire attitude anyway, and expect that as things
    run their course I'll just drop back to how I was.... Others might not,
    I suppose... :)
    I and probably most people will 'drop back' as things return to
    normal, or the revised normal. Right now 'hightened awareness' and
    everything is suspect. I picked up my presciption the other day -- the
    pharmacy tech had a little tickle in her throat so naturally coughed; I
    jokingly went "gaaa!" and theatrically did a shielding of myself --
    brought a laugh to her and the other staff -- she said she needed that
    relief.
    Sometimes one simply has to resort to a sense of humor to break the
    seriousness of everything around... <G>
    Yes, my pharmacy counter visits are relatively easy: usually just
    refills, last time did have a "no refills left" according to the
    lable; brought that up, tech locks at the label, "nope: you have six left". I look surprised (because I am): "Gee, you're _good_!! Take
    care of my problems before I get here!" (She liked that one too.)

    If it's a maintenance drug, possibly their computer knows to contact the
    doctor for a new script when the refills run out.... or the doctor
    noticed that you were getting close to date and sent a new one in.... :)

    Probably better to have done more than required than to find out that
    you hadn't done enough. though... ;) The last remaining hurdle for us
    to close out my mother's probate is to get the final report to my
    sister in England and then a signed and notarized (by a US notary at
    the embassy in London) receipt and release form back from her.... we
    have them for everyone else... and then take those with a final report
    back to the court... Covid restricting travel put a crimp into our
    planned schedule... but I'm sure the court will understand... :)
    I'd probably contact the court, directly or indirectly, to keep aware
    of difficulties and delays. Might be international participants isn't
    as common as we think.
    They are already aware of this particular (at least in possibility)
    snag... we've had to let them know of other slowdowns in the process
    already, and I mentioned at one of them that this was another
    potential snag, dealing with this out-of-country heir.... And if they
    look at the ongoing paperwork it's obvious that her address is in the
    UK.... :)
    They look but might not see/comprehend -- IMO always a good idea to
    gently remind.

    If they don't nudge me first, I might mention it... at the moment, I'm
    not even sure if the court is open or closed due to the Covid... :)

    Yes, a lot of that type of signage here too - which makes sense. Back
    in the pre-COVID-19 days drive by earlier in the morning, don't see
    cars in the parking lot, you open? No won't see cars in the parking
    lot, COVID-19 regulations have closed a lot of places, don't know if
    partially opened. I'm not sure what good the phone number does on the
    placard putt-putting by at 25 MPH -- suppose at least a reminder to
    look up the number when get home.
    And now, as of the end of last week, we are in Phase 3, and
    restaurants can do limited eat-in again... One diner, usually open
    24/7 (except Christmas), was one that had the open for takeout with
    phone number sign out... I noticed today that there was a sign in the
    window of the place now that said "Now Open for Eat-In"... :)
    Horray!! LIS in other messages, Iowa isn't doing "Phases" but more
    ... announcements? "We're opening or allowing this and this." Restaurants are partially open for dine-in. One new thing is during
    the take-out and curbside pickup portion (almost wrote 'phase'!)
    takeout liquor was allowed (could order a margarita for delivery) and
    that will continue to be allowed to help the restaurants get back on
    their feet.

    I don't know if we have that.... hadn't paid attention, anyway... not
    into that much liquor imbibing while out, especially not cocktail
    sorts.... ;)

    As to the sign... I suppose one could have tied up traffic while
    jotting down the number... ;)
    I was thinking more digging the cell phone out to take a picture.

    Your cell phone has a camera... mine doesn't.... ;)

    ttyl neb

    ... What is a skeleton's favorite musical instrument? A trombone...

    --- EzyBlueWave V3.00 01FB001F
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  • From Nancy Backus@454:1/452 to Daryl Stout on Fri Jun 26 18:17:18 2020
    Quoting Daryl Stout to Nancy Backus on 20-Jun-2020 11:21 <=-

    So far, I've been rather fortunate to not have gotten any of the really
    nasty scam calls.... unless they'd been the ones that hung up before I
    got to them.... And the ones I have gotten, if it's a computer recorded
    voice, I have no compunction about just hanging up on them once I
    figure out where they are going...

    A former BBS Sysop (he passed away a year and a half ago from brain cancer) and his wife were preparing to be "intimately occupied", when
    one of those telemarketing calls came in. So, they figured "not to let
    a good "making whoopee session" go to waste, they "pulled out all the stops". The telemarketer was so embarrassed by all the orgiastic
    noises, that he hung up!! <G>

    Sounds like the sort of thing an acquaintance of mine was known to do...

    My landline doesn't take messages, but I do have Caller Id... If I'm
    home, I probably will answer just about any call that rings for more
    than three rings (takes that long to get there, often enough) or that I
    recognise as valid...
    I have that on my smartphones, plus I use the Call Control app. Now,
    if you have a carrier like Straight Talk, Call Detector works for it. These basically screen out and block telemarketers, scammers,
    political, charity, and a whole slew of other calls "wanting money".

    No apps for landlines, though.... ;)

    The best way not to be scammed is to not need or want what they are
    offering... then one sounds convincing when one says no thank you... ;)

    I would check with the State Attorney General's office, and the
    Better Business Bureau to be sure.

    That would be in order, if one thought they might actually want
    something that is being advertised.... ;) But, if not, also doesn't
    matter if the item is legit or not... ;)

    ttyl neb

    ... I used to be indecisive - now I'm not so sure!!

    --- EzyBlueWave V3.00 01FB001F
    * Origin: Tiny's BBS - http://www.tinysbbs.com (454:1/452)
  • From Daryl Stout@454:1/33 to Nancy Backus on Sat Jun 27 15:51:00 2020
    Nancy,

    These basically screen out and block telemarketers, scammers,
    political, charity, and a whole slew of other calls "wanting money".

    No apps for landlines, though.... ;)

    Unfortuantely, that's true. Plus, with so many abandoning their
    regular landlines, you pay through the nose and out the wazoo to
    get a vanilla landline. But, the analog lines are being converted
    to VoIP. I'm using an adapter with T-Mobile, the US Robotics 56K
    Fax Modem (that I originally ran under dial-up), and a program, to
    get incoming faxes.

    I would check with the State Attorney General's office, and the
    Better Business Bureau to be sure.

    That would be in order, if one thought they might actually want
    something that is being advertised.... ;) But, if not, also doesn't matter if the item is legit or not... ;)

    I've got a bulletin on the BBS, warning folks of that.

    Daryl

    ... Are you SURE it's plugged in?
    === MultiMail/Win32 v0.50
    --- SBBSecho 3.11-Win32
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  • From Barry Martin@454:1/1 to Nancy Backus on Sat Jun 27 09:29:00 2020

    Hi Nancy!

    We didn't get too many of those, and lately they have been swapped out
    with the whichever is the one with the one guy calling from all over
    the country. If we don't recognize the number let it go to the
    answering machine, check later: "Hi! This --" "Him again! <delete
    button>".
    No messages can be left here on the landline... The variation here
    is that the same guy uses multiple names.... two days ago, he was
    Sharon Ricotta, today he was Larry Fitzgeral... (Today's I misread
    as someone's name that might have been calling me...) This one's been
    pushing auto insurance quotes online... I say no thanks, and the
    computer responds by saying oh, ok, no problem and hanging up... :)
    Hmm: a polite computer! I don't recall if had the insurance quotes -
    I'm usually up here or outside and don't get to the answering machine first. There have been a few related to roof damage from the hail
    storm but those have pretty much tapered off to zero. Most are with health insurance of some sort.
    Always somebody hoping you'll fall for their product...

    Yes, and with coronavirus expense concerns on most people's minds a
    little extra opening in their spiel.


    Sort of speaking of cell phone names, one carrier doing it here but
    not quite right: if a group -- the four lines for $25 each offer -- the
    name of the account holder comes up. So now when Autumn's mother calls
    the name of her sister appears! When Autumn's father calls his
    sister-in-law's name comes up!
    My nephew was the account holder on a deal like that a while ago...
    had himself, his brother, my son, and maybe a sister or cousin for the
    fourth... I had to look at the number itself to see if it was really
    Alex or it was one of the others, like my son... ;)
    So same situation. Sort of liked the old display better as far as not reading the 'wrong' name.
    Yup, same situation... not sure but that some companies may have
    fixed that, or programmed things differently anyway.... but it is
    a common thing to come across.... Currently my friend, on her
    daughter's plan, comes up as "Jenny's Burgers" (no, that's not
    her name)... ;)

    <chuckle> Seems like when the carriers decided to add the subscriber
    name they didn't quite plan things out fully. ...Would be 'funny' if
    they did have it almost right. Would make sense to list the primary subscriber first, then the secondary, so:
    Jenny's Burgers
    Jenny's Burgers - Melissa Smith
    Jenny's Burgers - Thomas Smith

    And the CID system displays only the first field when the desired on is
    the second if available.


    We did verify they're aware of that little problem and they do leave
    messages, either for pickup or so the client can call back.
    That works nicely, too....
    Yes -- work with the problem every including themselves is having.
    And often they really don't have any control over what shows for
    their phones, unlike the scammers....
    Oddly enough correct. The legit phone folks need to hire a reformed scammer or two to fix the problem!!
    Or run their phone thru VoIP themselves to get the ability...

    Probably all wil eventually.


    So it's working now, anyway... :)
    Yes, shortly to train the new account. Router installed this morning, corrected that, just have to switch the computers over and the Backend (the one recording the TV programmes) is being stubborn. Updating it
    the new IP address was easy enough, the database is not wanting to let
    go of the old address: updating/correcting not holding.
    Another glitch....

    Did get that corrected -- took only four or five days which isn't bad considering one person figuring pout the problem was somewhere here in
    the U.S, another in Holland, and the third in New Zealand (he's the one
    who did provide the actual correction but needed the information
    obtained by the other two.)


    I suppose there could be heightened awareness at the moment... I tend
    more to a more laissez faire attitude anyway, and expect that as things
    run their course I'll just drop back to how I was.... Others might not,
    I suppose... :)
    I and probably most people will 'drop back' as things return to
    normal, or the revised normal. Right now 'hightened awareness' and
    everything is suspect. I picked up my presciption the other day -- the
    pharmacy tech had a little tickle in her throat so naturally coughed; I
    jokingly went "gaaa!" and theatrically did a shielding of myself --
    brought a laugh to her and the other staff -- she said she needed that
    relief.
    Sometimes one simply has to resort to a sense of humor to break the
    seriousness of everything around... <G>
    Yes, my pharmacy counter visits are relatively easy: usually just
    refills, last time did have a "no refills left" according to the
    lable; brought that up, tech locks at the label, "nope: you have six left". I look surprised (because I am): "Gee, you're _good_!! Take
    care of my problems before I get here!" (She liked that one too.)
    If it's a maintenance drug, possibly their computer knows to
    contact the doctor for a new script when the refills run out....
    or the doctor noticed that you were getting close to date and
    sent a new one in.... :)

    Both possibilities. I'd lean a little more towards the computer
    flagging a human to intervene or possibly sending a message to the
    doctor's office for a direct electronic verification. No matter how
    done just surprised me the renewal had been done already. Recall last
    time with 0 refills I mentioned and was told too early for a renewal
    request as I was on a 90-day supply and the system would only allow a
    lesser time renewal request.

    At future 0 renewals I will mention, probably will have been taken care
    of automatically but better safe than sorry: the less last-second stuff
    the better!


    Probably better to have done more than required than to find out that
    you hadn't done enough. though... ;) The last remaining hurdle for us
    to close out my mother's probate is to get the final report to my
    sister in England and then a signed and notarized (by a US notary at
    the embassy in London) receipt and release form back from her.... we
    have them for everyone else... and then take those with a final report
    back to the court... Covid restricting travel put a crimp into our
    planned schedule... but I'm sure the court will understand... :)
    I'd probably contact the court, directly or indirectly, to keep aware
    of difficulties and delays. Might be international participants isn't
    as common as we think.
    They are already aware of this particular (at least in possibility)
    snag... we've had to let them know of other slowdowns in the process
    already, and I mentioned at one of them that this was another
    potential snag, dealing with this out-of-country heir.... And if they
    look at the ongoing paperwork it's obvious that her address is in the
    UK.... :)
    They look but might not see/comprehend -- IMO always a good idea to
    gently remind.
    If they don't nudge me first, I might mention it... at the
    moment, I'm not even sure if the court is open or closed due to
    the Covid... :)

    The judge is working from home and his offical robe on over his pajamas!

    I don't know if the courts around here have re-opened. Last I heard was
    at the begining of the COVID-19 close-down and trials in progress were
    going to continue but no new ones started.


    Yes, a lot of that type of signage here too - which makes sense. Back
    in the pre-COVID-19 days drive by earlier in the morning, don't see
    cars in the parking lot, you open? No won't see cars in the parking
    lot, COVID-19 regulations have closed a lot of places, don't know if
    partially opened. I'm not sure what good the phone number does on the
    placard putt-putting by at 25 MPH -- suppose at least a reminder to
    look up the number when get home.
    And now, as of the end of last week, we are in Phase 3, and
    restaurants can do limited eat-in again... One diner, usually open
    24/7 (except Christmas), was one that had the open for takeout with
    phone number sign out... I noticed today that there was a sign in the
    window of the place now that said "Now Open for Eat-In"... :)
    Horray!! LIS in other messages, Iowa isn't doing "Phases" but more
    ... announcements? "We're opening or allowing this and this."
    Restaurants are partially open for dine-in. One new thing is during
    the take-out and curbside pickup portion (almost wrote 'phase'!)
    takeout liquor was allowed (could order a margarita for delivery) and
    that will continue to be allowed to help the restaurants get back on
    their feet.
    I don't know if we have that.... hadn't paid attention, anyway...
    not into that much liquor imbibing while out, especially not
    cocktail sorts.... ;)

    <chuckle> LIS in other messages I/we generally just have 'water on the
    rocks with a slice of lemon' -- slight plurge with an iced tea, pretty
    much a special occasion to have anything with liquor though could be a super-splurge just because why not.

    There was a comment: if the to-go liquor is in a say Styrofoam or paper
    cup with a lid it technically violates the (Iowa) Open Container law.
    I'm thinking that one's simple: apply a seal/sticker over the top on to
    the side so can't be opened without breaking the seal. Don't stick a
    straw in. Gently squeezing to get a little oozing out the straw's hole
    is a desperation!!


    As to the sign... I suppose one could have tied up traffic while
    jotting down the number... ;)
    I was thinking more digging the cell phone out to take a picture.
    Your cell phone has a camera... mine doesn't.... ;)

    Back to the first consideration! And probably faster than me digging
    out the camera as -yes - I have a pad of paper and a pen in the console
    of the car!


    ¯ ®
    ¯ Barry_Martin_3@ ®
    ¯ @Q.COM ®
    ¯ ®


    ... Boldly going forward (because I can't find reverse!).
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  • From Nancy Backus@454:1/452 to Daryl Stout on Tue Jul 7 00:43:20 2020
    Quoting Daryl Stout to Nancy Backus on 27-Jun-2020 15:51 <=-

    These basically screen out and block telemarketers, scammers,
    political, charity, and a whole slew of other calls "wanting money".
    No apps for landlines, though.... ;)

    Unfortuantely, that's true. Plus, with so many abandoning their
    regular landlines, you pay through the nose and out the wazoo to
    get a vanilla landline. But, the analog lines are being converted
    to VoIP. I'm using an adapter with T-Mobile, the US Robotics 56K
    Fax Modem (that I originally ran under dial-up), and a program, to
    get incoming faxes.

    Our landline is part of a package deal with our DSL... but otherwise is
    plain vanilla... and still analog... If the power goes out, our wired extensions still work fine.... :)

    I would check with the State Attorney General's office, and the
    Better Business Bureau to be sure.
    That would be in order, if one thought they might actually want
    something that is being advertised.... ;) But, if not, also doesn't
    matter if the item is legit or not... ;)

    I've got a bulletin on the BBS, warning folks of that.

    All I was saying is that if one knows that one does not want something,
    it should be simple enough to turn it down.... :)

    ttyl neb

    ... "May I have a chocolate?" she asked sweetly.

    --- EzyBlueWave V3.00 01FB001F
    * Origin: Tiny's BBS - http://www.tinysbbs.com (454:1/452)
  • From Daryl Stout@454:1/33 to Nancy Backus on Tue Jul 7 12:44:00 2020
    Nancy,

    Our landline is part of a package deal with our DSL... but otherwise is plain vanilla... and still analog... If the power goes out, our wired extensions still work fine.... :)

    Well, it was that way with my late Mom's deal, until AT&T so screwed her over. When she died, I called them, chewed them out, and said they basically could take their service, and shove it!! While that likely will make me a
    bad reference, I didn't care, and doubted they did, either.

    Besides, I doubt you could get an inexpensive vanilla only analog line anymore (you have to get their internet, and everything else). With so many going to cellphones and dropping their landlines, the cost for those who
    still have them, is enormous, and I don't have that kind of money.

    All I was saying is that if one knows that one does not want something,
    it should be simple enough to turn it down.... :)

    As the late P.T. Barnum noted, "there's a sucker born every minute".

    Hmmm...I wonder who its parents were?? <G>

    Daryl

    ... Drain Bamage?? No, thanks...I already have some.
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  • From Barry Martin@454:1/1 to Nancy Backus on Tue Jul 7 09:51:00 2020


    NANCY BACKUS wrote to DARYL STOUT <=-

    Our landline is part of a package deal with our DSL... but
    otherwise is plain vanilla... and still analog... If the power
    goes out, our wired extensions still work fine.... :)

    Back when cordless phones were becoming more popular some people were replacing all of their corded phones with cordless -- no problem until
    the power failed! No power for the cordless phones, effectively no
    phone service! We sold one model (Panasonic?) that did have a battery
    backup -- not too expensive but cheaper to keep at least one wired
    phone.


    ¯ ®
    ¯ BarryMartin3@ ®
    ¯ @MyMetronet.NET ®
    ¯ ®
    ¯ (Humans know what ®
    ¯ to remove.) ®

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  • From Nancy Backus@454:1/452 to Barry Martin on Wed Jul 29 23:53:12 2020
    Quoting Barry Martin to Nancy Backus on 07-Jul-2020 09:51 <=-
    NANCY BACKUS wrote to DARYL STOUT <=-

    Our landline is part of a package deal with our DSL... but
    otherwise is plain vanilla... and still analog... If the power
    goes out, our wired extensions still work fine.... :)
    Back when cordless phones were becoming more popular some people were replacing all of their corded phones with cordless -- no problem until
    the power failed! No power for the cordless phones, effectively no
    phone service! We sold one model (Panasonic?) that did have a battery backup -- not too expensive but cheaper to keep at least one wired
    phone.

    We always have had at least one wired phone for emergencies... Richard
    figured that out from the beginning... ;) The kitchen phone has always
    been wired... :)

    ttyl neb

    ... A shining beacon of garish neon signs and tourist traps

    --- EzyBlueWave V3.00 01FB001F
    * Origin: Tiny's BBS - http://www.tinysbbs.com (454:1/452)
  • From Daryl Stout@454:1/33 to Nancy Backus on Thu Jul 30 21:07:00 2020
    Nancy,

    We always have had at least one wired phone for emergencies... Richard figured that out from the beginning... ;) The kitchen phone has always been wired... :)

    After AT&T did my Mom and I dirty, several years ago, when I called
    and told them to disconnect everything, that I wasn't coming back. I
    could tell you stories that'd make your head spin. But, with strong
    and severe storms approaching, that'll have to wait until another day.

    Daryl

    ... Couch Potato: What's found under cushions after dinner.
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  • From Barry Martin@454:1/1 to Nancy Backus on Thu Jul 30 08:23:00 2020

    Hi Nnancy!

    Our landline is part of a package deal with our DSL... but
    otherwise is plain vanilla... and still analog... If the power
    goes out, our wired extensions still work fine.... :)
    Back when cordless phones were becoming more popular some people were replacing all of their corded phones with cordless -- no problem until
    the power failed! No power for the cordless phones, effectively no
    phone service! We sold one model (Panasonic?) that did have a battery backup -- not too expensive but cheaper to keep at least one wired
    phone.
    We always have had at least one wired phone for emergencies...
    Richard figured that out from the beginning... ;) The kitchen
    phone has always been wired... :)

    And LISB4 I've gone an extra step and have an 'emergency' phone in the basement close to where the 'inside Demarc' which is unplugged - on
    purpose. If there is a problem with the house wiring and something
    shorts or otherwise interfers with the line I can 'unplug the house',
    removing all the phones, etc. Plug in the emergency phone - should
    work.

    Reason for the emergency phone being kept unplugged is should something
    like a voltage surge cause damage the emergency phone isn't part of the
    circuit and so shouldn't be affected. Also found if there is a problem
    with the line might have to wait a couple of minutes for the telephone company's computers to reset the line.


    ¯ ®
    ¯ BarryMartin3@ ®
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    ¯ ®
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    ¯ to remove.) ®

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