Brabec Bulletin Tidbits on Life

January 18, 2025

Identity Theft Help from the BBB and FTC
Internet Safety Guide for Seniors
Good News for Tom Selleck Fans
Student Loan Forgiveness Scams
How to Get Someone’s Attention
When They’re Not Listening!
Can Your Cat or Dog Do This?

Identity Theft Help from BBB and FTC

An email from Amazon reminded me to stay alert to the latest Amazon scams and linked me to a “BBB Scam Survival Toolkit” that I recommend. If your personal identity has been compromised or if you’re already a victim of identity theft, it will guide you through every step of the process. (You can select the personal or business toolkit as you begin.)

It also linked me to the FTC Identity Theft department. Here we learn how to get needed records about our identity theft, deal with debt collectors, and get errors off our credit records. I downloaded a copy of the sample letter I would need to send to all three credit bureaus to get incorrect information removed from my account. 

See also my January 6 Brabec Real Life Bulletin, “Has Your Identity Been Leaked in a Security Breach?” All my identity information is now on the Dark Web, and this report details what I’ve done to create a “digital security fence” to stop the bleeding, tighten my internet security, and prevent identity theft.

Internet Safety Guide for Seniors

James Clark, one of my readers, referred me to a guide on how to be safe on the internet after his grandmother found it and asked his opinion of it. He wrote, “Considering your dedication to providing valuable content to your readers, I thought you might be interested in this resource. I found that it contains valuable insights and practical tips that are specifically relevant for seniors. It covers various aspects of online safety, including password management, recognizing scams, and protecting personal information. I thought the article was thoughtfully designed to empower seniors to navigate the digital world confidently. ”

My thanks to James for sharing this information. I scrolled through this lengthy guide and commend the writer, Ben Pilkington, for his tedious research and easy-to-understand practical advice in “9 Simple and Effective Online Safety Tips for Seniors.” It ends with a lengthy list of related articles and websites for further research.

I would also advise seniors to find an expert you can call for tech guidance whenever it’s needed. Frankly, without the help of my computer friend, Al Karman, I wouldn’t still be working safely online in my advanced years. Years ago, he began to educate me on everything related to doing my own computer maintenance, researching to solve small problems, and staying out of trouble in all the areas described in Pilkington’s guide.

Good News for Tom Selleck Fans

I’ve followed Tom Selleck’s career in movies and TV shows and especially loved him in the Blue Bloods series. What a great supportive cast! It was satisfying to learn that Selleck's faith in real life is as strong as it’s portrayed in his television roles.

In an article on Belief.net, Selleck said it was his role as Thomas Magnum that changed his life forever. “As good as this business has been to me, that’s not what life is about. Life is about more important things,” he stated in this interview article. In it, we learn that he has always tried to conduct himself in an ethical way, which is what matters most to him (as it should to all of us). Attributing his fortune to Jesus Christ, he added, “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”

I was glad to hear that we haven’t heard the last of Tom Selleck. For what he plans to do after the ending of the Blue Bloods series, read “My Biggest Tom Selleck Hope After Blue Bloods’ Ending (Looks Like Coming True.”)

Student Loan Forgiveness Scams

It was laughable the first time I got an email saying I qualified for student loan forgiveness. Busy, I marked it as Spam, but similar ones kept coming from different senders. In searching for more info on this topic I found this article, “How to Avoid Student Loan Forgiveness Scams” from Federal Student Aid.

I soon learned that scammers stole $5 billion from Americans in student loan-related scams in 2022, and these scams are on the rise, with new variations showing up. A Google search for “student loan forgiveness scams in 2024” will turn up many articles. Perhaps you know someone who needs this information. 

How to Get Someone’s Attention
When They’re Not Listening!

When you’re at a table with friends and one of them is speaking, have you ever tuned out and turned to your cell phone? How rude! Be glad the product in this video isn’t available or some folks could lose their hearing. (I must have a warped sense of humor because this short clip cracked me up.)

Can Your Cat or Dog Do This?

Dog Does Yoga with Owner

Goalkeeper Cat Training for 2022 FIFA World Cup

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