Got a barcode from your utility company to make a payment? That’s a scam

Tuesday 13th August 2024 at 7:07 PM

Gema de las Heras Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

August 13, 2024

Getting an urgent call from what sounds like your utility company might make you think: Did I forget to pay my bill? The caller says there’s a way to avoid shutoff and fees: they’ll send you a barcode by text or email so you can pay at a local retailer like Walgreens, CVS, or Walmart. Don’t. It’s all a lie. Wondering how to know it’s not a real utility company calling?

Scammers call unexpectedly and create a sense of urgency. But real utility companies don’t do that. Even if you owe money, they’ll work with you on a payment plan and won’t try to scare you into paying immediately — and they won’t send you a barcode and insist you take it to a store to pay.

Here’s how to deal with calls or messages that appear to come from your utility company:

Contact the utility company yourself. If you’re worried you might be behind on your bills, call the company using the number on your bill or the utility company’s website ― never the number the caller gave you, which will lead you back to the scammer.

Know only scammers demand you pay a certain way. Scammers ask you to pay in a way that makes it hard for you to get your money back — wiring money, putting money on a gift card, using payment apps, paying with a scannable barcode or QR code, or cryptocurrency. Your utility company won’t demand you pay that way.

Act quickly if you suspect you paid a scammer. Contact the company you used to send the money and tell them it was fraud. Ask for their help to reverse the payment. You might be able to recover some of your money.

Report utility company impersonators it to your utility company and to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Courtesy Post from Military Consumer USA

The Ponseti Method- can correct the foot deformity

09-February-2013 16:33 IST
Vice President Inaugurates National Clubfoot Conference
The Vice President of India, Shri M. Hamid Ansari has said that in India it is estimated that over 50,000 children are born with clubfoot every year making it an important factor of disability amongst our children. Delivering inaugural address at the “National Clubfoot Conference” organized to raise awareness on the prevalence of Clubfoot deformity here today, he has said that while clubfoot is easily identifiable and curable based on timely intervention; as a large number of children suffering from the disease are from the rural areas, they remain permanently disabled for want of access to timely cure and treatment.
He expressed his concern that it is estimated that in India there are more than 10 million persons with locomotor disabilities. Until two years ago, Polio was a major cause of disability. However, thanks to an effective anti-polio program, based on Government, NGO and international partnership, we have not had a single case of paralytic poliomyelitis for the last two years. With the eradication of Polio, it becomes logical to address the other causes of childhood disabilities; congenital clubfoot is one of them.
The Vice President said that until recently many children with clubfoot were treated surgically, which is not only an expensive but a less than fully satisfactory option due to relatively poor long-term results. Apparently, now a new method –The Ponseti Method- can correct the foot deformity in children in a more cost effective and efficient manner. Its relevance in low resource setting cannot be over estimated. The Ponseti method is now the standard of all National Clubfoot programs across the globe. It's phenomenal success is attributable to a combination of sound scientific knowledge, applied in an integrated socio-medical environment using the already existing health care delivery system in many countries.

Following is the text of Vice President’s address :“I am happy to have been invited to inaugurate the National Clubfoot Conference being organized by CURE International India Trust in partnership with the State Governments especially the Government of Delhi, where the program to treat and eradicate the clubfoot disease is being implemented. I welcome all the participants, especially those from abroad, who have joined us today.
The Conference is expected to provide the doctors and experts from India and abroad an interactive platform to share experiences and update themselves on newer knowledge and techniques in the treatment of clubfoot disease.
It is estimated that in India there are more than 10 million persons with locomotor disabilities. Until two years ago, Polio was a major cause of disability. However, thanks to an effective anti-polio program, based on Government, NGO and international partnership, we have not had a single case of paralytic poliomyelitis for the last two years. With the eradication of Polio, it becomes logical to address the other causes of childhood disabilities; congenital clubfoot is one of them.
In India it is estimated that over 50,000 children are born with clubfoot every year making it an important factor of disability amongst our children. While clubfoot is easily identifiable and curable based on timely intervention; as a large number of children suffering from the disease are from the rural areas, they remain permanently disabled for want of access to timely cure and treatment.
Until recently many children with clubfoot were treated surgically, which is not only an expensive but a less than fully satisfactory option due to relatively poor long-term results. Apparently, now a new method –The Ponseti Method- can correct the foot deformity in children in a more cost effective and efficient manner. Its relevance in low resource setting cannot be over estimated.
The Ponseti method, I am told, is now the standard of all National Clubfoot programs across the globe. It's phenomenal success is attributable to a combination of sound scientific knowledge, applied in an integrated socio-medical environment using the already existing health care delivery system in many countries.
I am happy to learn that this simple but effective method is being adopted for treating children born with clubfoot in India. This programme has been launched under the public- private partnership mode with several State Governments partnering CURE International India to make this option a reality for the needy patients. It is particularly heartening to know that a large number of poor and deprived patients are able to access this method of treatment. In a short span of 3 years the program has become the largest in the world with over 7000 children enrolled for free treatment in 18 states in India and more are being added.
One of the key components of clubfoot care is follow up, as this condition can recur as the child grows older. It is good that the clubfoot program in partnership with Government medical colleges and CURE International India is documenting all cases and closely following up all the children treated with clubfoot.
I commend the National Rural Health Mission for partnering in this program of early identification of children with clubfoot. This is a major step forward in disability prevention, as an early intervention yields better results.
I congratulate all the Professors, doctors and experts, including members of CURE International India for this commendable initiative. I hope that this partnership will lead to making India free from disability caused by clubfoot. This would be a major achievement given the grave physical, economic and social consequences of the disease on the patient and his family.
I conclude by wishing the organizers and the participants of this Conference all success in their deliberations.”*****
Sanjay Kumar/VPI/09.02.2013

The Caregiver Village Experience

Caregiver Village is excited about their team of Book Club Hosts Book Club Hosts
As you may be aware, the number of unpaid family caregivers in North America is 50 million and growing every day. I’d like to introduce you and the readers of The Eagle Eye News to Caregiver Village, an online community designed exclusively for those who provide care for anyone with special needs. Caregiver Village members connect with friends, participate in book clubs with celebrity authors, journal, play mystery games, solve puzzles, and learn valuable information about caregiving. The founders of Caregiver Village have also just put aside a portion of the launch funding to support caregiving organizations. For every person that joins Caregiver Village, they will donate $1 to that persons organization of choice. I've created a page which explains everything:
Sheila Watson
caregivervillage.com
facebook.com/caregivervillage
twitter.com/cgvillage

Vicki Schmall, PhD, noted educator and family caregiver speaker, hosting "Driving Decisions." Driving challenges is the point where many families first become involved in their parents’ lives as caregivers. Vicki is the author of the widely-used family guide book, Powerful Tools for Caregivers and is an expert in the field of helping families cope with stress and the life changes that occur when families begin caregiving.

Lisa Cerasoli, actress and author of new book, "As Nora Jo Fades Away," hosting "It's HIP to Care."  Caregiving from a funny, hip perspective – with serious solutions. Lisa is currently making a series of films about her caregiving experience and has already won numerous awards for her story and her films.

James Waterman, Certified Care Advisor and entrepreneur involved in creating services for caregivers hosting "Real Men are Caregivers."  Caregiving is not just for women anymore – men are becoming  increasingly involved in caregiving, too. Jamie shares his personal story about his relationship with his dad, giving him personal and professional credibility.

B. Lynn Goodwin, Journaling coach and author of "You Want me to do What?" hosts "Journal your way to Joy."  Journaling can be hard to start, but so very rewarding once you get the flow.  Caregiver Village’s very own "Journaling Guru" will lead the way. Lynn is a frequent speaker on the power of journaling in the caregiver's life.

Barbara Pursley, genuine Southern Gal and author of "Embracing the Moment" hosts "Caregiving with Divine Love."  Caregiving is an experience for the soul as well as the mind and body, no matter your religion or beliefs. Barbara shares her personal story and her belief in the power of the divine through her frequent lectures and tours.

Facts

The societal problem:

Despite millions of government dollars and hundreds of dedicated websites, family caregivers are in trouble.  With over 60 million family caregivers in the U.S. alone, many caregivers become sick (with nearly twice the rate of chronic illnesses as their non-caregiving peers); they’re depressed (40-70% report significant feelings of depression), they face a significantly increased risk of stroke, and they’re frustrated, unable to find resources or solutions they need to help with the enormous burden thrust upon them. They’re also costly to our economy accounting for an estimated $33.6 billion in lost productivity.   

The caregiver’s problem:

Family caregivers are exhausted, stressed to the point of illness and frustrated by their isolation.Caregiver Village’s virtual village creates a close knit community where caregivers can discover a sense of deep personal satisfaction – and escape – from the hard, intense work of family caregiving; while simultaneously learning how to handle their stress and building online connections with people in exactly the same situation as them.

How to Detect Hidden Camera in Trial Room?

Poetess RAJNI telling you the secret: from an important message 

Read This Message.....!!!!
In fron...t of the trial room take your mobile and make sure that mobile can
make calls........
Then enter into the trail room, take your mobile and make a call.....
If u can't make a call......!!!!
There is a hidden camera......
This is due to the interference of fiber optic cable during the signal
transfer......  
Please forward this to your friends to educate this issue to the
public......To prevent our innocent ladies from HIDDEN CAMERA...........

Pinhole Cameras in Changing Rooms of Big Bazaar, Shoppers Stop?

A few days ago, I received this text message:
Please don't use Trial room of BIG BAZAAR there are pinhole cameras to make
MMS of young girls.
So, please forward to all girls. Also forward to all boys who have sisters
and girlfriends.

Don't be shy in forwarding this message. Because its about protecting the
integrity of all girls & ladies.

HOW TO DETECT A 2-WAY MIRROR?

When we visit toilets, bathrooms, hotel rooms, changing rooms, etc., How
many of you know for sure that the seemingly ordinary mirror hanging on the
wall is a real mirror, or actually a 2-way mirror I.e., they can see you,
but you can't see them. There have been many cases of people installing
2-way mirrors in female changing rooms or bathroom or bedrooms.

It is very difficult to positively identify the surface by just looking at
it. So, how do we determine with any amount of certainty what type of Mirror
we are looking at?

CONDUCT THIS SIMPLE TEST:

Place the tip of your fingernail against the reflective surface and if there
is a GAP between your fing

Poetess RAJNI