Subj : Resend virus stuff w To : Nancy Backus From : Barry Martin Date : Fri Jun 19 2020 19:47:00 Hi Nancy! NB>>> True... last few days the spam/scam calls have all been the credit NB>>> card variants.... or hangups.... BM>> Pretty much the same here. NB>> And lately, a lot of medicare scam-type calls... with a little NB>> spate in between of auto insurance and extended warranty calls... BM> We didn't get too many of those, and lately they have been swapped out BM> with the whichever is the one with the one guy calling from all over BM> the country. If we don't recognize the number let it go to the BM> answering machine, check later: "Hi! This --" "Him again! button>". NB> No messages can be left here on the landline... The variation NB> here is that the same guy uses multiple names.... two days ago, NB> he was Sharon Ricotta, today he was Larry Fitzgeral... (Today's NB> I misread as someone's name that might have been calling me...) NB> This one's been pushing auto insurance quotes online... I say no NB> thanks, and the computer responds by saying oh, ok, no problem NB> 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. BM>> The problem currently is we have to monitor the calls as we're BM>> expecting a call from the person overseeing the hail damage project BM>> here and with COVID-19 they're primarily working from home using BM>> their cell phones. And if they've moved around some their cell BM>> number could be from anywhere. NB>> Seems a lot of people that do use their cell phones for business NB>> have made the effort to have their name come up on the ID, which is NB>> handy and reassuring... ;) BM> With the roof contact people about a third have their name come up. NB> 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. BM> Sort of speaking of cell phone names, one carrier doing it here but BM> not quite right: if a group -- the four lines for $25 each offer -- the BM> name of the account holder comes up. So now when Autumn's mother calls BM> the name of her sister appears! When Autumn's father calls his BM> sister-in-law's name comes up! NB> My nephew was the account holder on a deal like that a while NB> ago... had himself, his brother, my son, and maybe a sister or NB> cousin for the fourth... I had to look at the number itself to NB> see if it was really Alex or it was one of the others, like my NB> son... ;) So same situation. Sort of liked the old display better as far as not reading the 'wrong' name. BM>> We did verify they're aware of that little problem and they do leave BM>> messages, either for pickup or so the client can call back. NB>> That works nicely, too.... BM> Yes -- work with the problem every including themselves is having. NB> And often they really don't have any control over what shows for NB> their phones, unlike the scammers.... Oddly enough correct. The legit phone folks need to hire a reformed scammer or two to fix the problem!! BM>> My spam e-mail reception from my "Q" account (the former Qwest phone BM>> company, now owned by CenturyLink) goes from tons then slowly BM>> decreased to almost nothing and nothing. It'll then stay at the BM>> acceptable dribble level for months, then suddenly shoot up and repeat BM>> the cycle. Almost like they put in a new filter which has to be BM>> trained. NB>> Maybe... or just a system upgrade that the filter has to get used to... BM> Apparently the latter as the Junk Mail folder in that account is BM> almost always empty, and I don't get too many junk mails sneaking BM> through. So between the mail server's filter and the one I have here BM> not bad. NB> 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. NB>>>> As I understand it, it's a function of doing calls with VoIP... they NB>>>> can give themself any number they wish.... BM>>> Ah, OK. And apparently they change their number constantly to make it BM>>> more difficult to trace. NB>>> Precisely... also to make it seem as though your neighbor is NB>>> calling... :) BM>> Right, which tend to make one a hare more off-guard while one racks BM>> their brain on who the voice belongs to. NB>> Unless one is wise to the ploy and only answers the ones that are NB>> totally recognized... and otherwise presumes that it's likely to be NB>> bogus... Particularly on my cell phone, if it comes up with the same NB>> area code and exchange, I discount it to being spam/scam... I know no NB>> one else that shares that with me... :) If it turned out to be valid, NB>> they'd leave a message hopefully (and the scammers that do, are NB>> immediately obvious as such).... BM> That little trick wouldn't work here: 332- 381- 388- 355- 359- and BM> that's the original of the Davenport and Bettendorf exchanges from BM> years ago. When I was at the apartment complex I had a 359- and a BM> friend downstairs had 355-. NB> In our neighborhood, we've had I think 3 different exchanges for NB> the area, 328- 436- and something else... my next-door neighbor's NB> was different from mine... But I was thinking more that my NB> cellphone's exchange is 259-, and nobody I know has that exchange NB> besides me... But most (or at least many) of the spam/scam calls NB> to my cell are coming up with that exchange... dead give-away... NB> At least my cellphone does take messages, unlike the landline... NB> ;) I gave just the landline exchanges; cell phones'... let's see: 271-, 676-, 343- , 209-.... NB>>>> True... As long as the restrictions are only for a limited time and NB>>>> for a recognizable reason... Hopefully the normal we were used to will NB>>>> return again... :) BM>>> I'm thinking a revised normal (a.k.a. the new normal), at least in the BM>>> near future. One group of people will be maintaining and therefore BM>>> requiring social distancing, not touching/cleaning surfaces, and the BM>>> like NB>>> There's always been some degree of that among some people... it's just NB>>> been more of a minority thing.... BM>> Yes; plus everyone is more aware of the, for example, social BM>> distancing detail. Thinking the accidental bumping into a stranger BM>> while walking down a sidewalk. Before: "watch where you're going!". BM>> Now: "you trying to kill me?!". ...Before, go to a restaurant and BM>> waterspots on the silverware was sort of a lightly raised eyebrow and BM>> wipe with the napkin. Now... ?? NB>> I supposed there could be heightened awareness at the moment... I tend NB>> more to a more laissez faire attitude anyway, and expect that as things NB>> run their course I'll just drop back to how I was.... Others might not, NB>> I suppose... :) BM> I and probably most people will 'drop back' as things return to BM> normal, or the revised normal. Right now 'hightened awareness' and BM> everything is suspect. I picked up my presciption the other day -- the BM> pharmacy tech had a little tickle in her throat so naturally coughed; I BM> jokingly went "gaaa!" and theatrically did a shielding of myself -- BM> brought a laugh to her and the other staff -- she said she needed that BM> relief. NB> SOmetimes one simply has to resort to a sense of humor to break NB> the seriousness of everything around... 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 BM>> Possibly. European (or at least Austrian and Slovakian) lawyers seem BM>> to be a lot more laid back than American. When the land was BM>> transferred to the Slovakian part of the family my Mother (and BM>> Father's) lawyer drew up some multi-page contract, signed, and BM>> notarized. Gets over there, those lawyers said all that was needed was BM>> a paper saying she (my Mother) agreed to giving the land. Essentially BM>> a paragraph, maybe two. NB>> Probably better to have done more than required than to find out that NB>> you hadn't done enough. though... ;) The last remaining hurdle for us NB>> to close out my mother's probate is to get the final report to my NB>> sister in England and then a signed and notarized (by a US notary at NB>> the embassy in London) receipt and release form back from her.... we NB>> have them for everyone else... and then take those with a final report NB>> back to the court... Covid restricting travel put a crimp into our NB>> planned schedule... but I'm sure the court will understand... :) BM> I'd probably contact the court, directly or indirectly, to keep aware BM> of difficulties and delays. Might be international participants isn't BM> as common as we think. NB> They are already aware of this particular (at least in NB> possibility) snag... we've had to let them know of other NB> slowdowns in the process already, and I mentioned at one of them NB> that this was another potential snag, dealing with this NB> out-of-country heir.... And if they look at the ongoing paperwork NB> 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. NB>>> I suppose it could actually be considered a public service, to let NB>>> the public know what is available now, and as things open up... :) NB>>> I've been hearing regular advertisers tailoring their ads to let NB>>> people know to what extent they are able to be open (take-out, NB>>> curbside retail, etc) and similar in the sponsor spiels on public NB>>> radio... ;) BM>> Yes, might be considered as in the Public Service Announcement arena, BM>> and a bit of a trickle-down effect: I see/hear Matilda's Millet BM>> Muffins is open for curbside, hey: I wonder if Barbara's Bran Bagels BM>> is open still too?! NB>> Of course one can always just drive by one's favorite spots and NB>> check out the progress... ;) We see a lot of signs out front saying NB>> "Open for Takeout", often with a phone number... :) BM> Yes, a lot of that type of signage here too - which makes sense. Back BM> in the pre-COVID-19 days drive by earlier in the morning, don't see BM> cars in the parking lot, you open? No won't see cars in the parking BM> lot, COVID-19 regulations have closed a lot of places, don't know if BM> partially opened. I'm not sure what good the phone number does on the BM> placard putt-putting by at 25 MPH -- suppose at least a reminder to BM> look up the number when get home. NB> And now, as of the end of last week, we are in Phase 3, and NB> restaurants can do limited eat-in again... One diner, usually NB> open 24/7 (except Christmas), was one that had the open for NB> takeout with phone number sign out... I noticed today that there NB> was a sign in the window of the place now that said "Now Open for NB> 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. NB> As to the sign... I suppose one could have tied up traffic while NB> 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 --- MultiMail/Win32 v0.47 þ wcECHO 4.2 ÷ ILink: The Safe BBS þ Bettendorf, IA --- QScan/PCB v1.20a / 01-0462 * Origin: ILink: CFBBS | cfbbs.no-ip.com | 856-933-7096 (454:1/1) .