Silver Tigers

They’re always wanting your money, Part 3.

~ grant.gallagher

Author Ryan M. Chippendale has been in public safety/service for over two decades. He has held the roles of Police Officer, Firefighter, EMT, CPR Instructor, NRA Instructor, Glock Armorer, and Notary Public, among others.  He is the proud father of three girls (12, 10, 4) and has been married for thirteen years.  He is the son of a senior mother who keeps a running honey-do list for him, and he has expertise with firearms, electronics and computer systems.  He is an ordained minister, is fluent in sarcasm, and has been known to be found at a karaoke bar once or twice in his life. This is the final article of a series of three blog posts.

The Joys of the internet. In the third part of this series I am going to dip my toe into the senior scams that come through the internet.  We’ve seen soooo many different tactics in the category.  Some that would be embarrassing if you fell for and some that I personally have to second-guess their legitimacy.  Years ago I was excited to get an e-mail but it was super common to get tons of actual paper “snail mail.”  Today I’m happy if I get one personal paper letter from the mailman along with the 300 garbage e-mails I get.  No matter how much I unsubscribe, everyday there’s offers to get my gutters cleaned, purchase a vacation, or lose weight (not that I don’t need all of those services).

While those are all mundane and ignorable messages, what about the e-mails saying your personal information is being exploited on the dark web or a message from Amazon informing you that your account has been compromised and they want you to confirm your credentials.  As I was writing this article I received this very e-mail:

Oh my!  Did someone from Mexico try to log into my Amazon account?!? Onset panic-mode.  Quick, let me click this link and make sure someone didn’t order themselves a TV to Mexico.  But wait, deactivate panic-mode and lets actually read the e-mail.  The e-mail was sent from a nonsensical e-mail address which is too long to fit on the screen.  It was sent to an address that isn’t mine.  That seems suspicious.

Lets read further. In the subject line there appears to be some kind of error code maybe but I don’t know what MGLTVTHF-131630461 means.  Is that something official?  Let’s keep reading, a greeting that doesn’t have my name and a body that has spelling mistakes, improper grammar as well as improper English.  Too many red flags for me but here’s the kicker… the button they want you to click is not a link to Amazon’s actual website!

Had I actually clicked the link it probably would take me to a website that looks similar to Amazon asking for my e-mail and password.  It might even ask me for some common security questions – your mother’s maiden name, the street you grew up on, your first car.  All in the name of security, you enter all the information and get: “oops, your user name and password don’t match.  Please try again.”  We’ve all done this.  Fat fingers or just can’t remember which kid’s birthday you used for this password.  Either way, while you’re blaming yourself for typing it incorrectly, the imitation website has loaded the actual Amazon website.  Now again, you enter your user name and password only this time it logs you in and everything seems normal.  That was close, you may have thought you’d been victimized.  Here’s the problem, you WEREN’T a victim until you gave up your password and security questions.  But you don’t know that you’re a victim so maybe the scammer sits dormant with your information for a bit and then attacks your identity or your accounts or simply sells the information to someone who gets a credit card in your name.

Now you’re compromised.  I hope you don’t use the same password for your Amazon account as your e-mail account, do you?  So now that the scammer can get into your e-mail they send one to everyone in your contact list.  “Hey, I’m in trouble.  I went to Europe on vacation and my bag was stolen.  I lost my wallet AND my passport!  To make matters worse, I got just got a flat tire and I have no way to pay the guy from roadside assistance.  I don’t have international calling so the only thing I was able to do is send a desperate plea for help via e-mail.  The service guy said if you have “CashApp” you can send him $200 for the tire change and I’ll pay you back when I get home.  He said if you don’t that Appy thingy if you go get a gift card and take a picture of it, you can e-mail it to me.”  (Sound familiar?). Now think about everyone in your e-mail contacts…. Would someone fall for this?  They got an e-mail from “you” from your actual e-mail address.

Here’s another common one.  Imagine you get an e-mail from your boss and it says “I’m stuck in a meeting and I need a gift card for my nephew’s birthday party this evening.  Can you please run to Walmart and get me a $100 gift card.  Thanks”. By now these should sound like obvious scams but you might be inclined to do your boss a favor.

A simple trick to limit the amount of messages you get is to unsubscribe from any many of the unwanted e-mail lists that you can.  You’ll scrutinize the messages better if there’s less of them bombarding you. 

My mother regularly calls me about something computer related.  Some of those phone calls are asking if something is real or a scam.  It’s almost always a scam.  Her litmus test is “what’s Ryan going to say if I click this and something goes wrong?”  Feel free to use that mentality… take a moment, escape panic-mode and evaluate the situation.

Oh! Isn’t that EXPENSIVE now…?

~ grant.gallagher ~ 2 Comments

Author ScotShot Scott is an NRA and USCCA certified Instructor and Training Counselor in a range of firearms, and home and personal defense disciplines. In an Alternate Universe, he is a husband, father, grandfather, scientist, musician, educator and grumpy old professor. Just your average reactionary, short, fat, old, bald guy!

I was chatting with my aunt in Glasgow recently, and she was telling me that they had been told by Scottish Gas that the Government has agreed to a price rise for natural gas. In April, their bill is going up from eighty pounds a month to one-hundred and sixty. It is about to double. What’s more, they have been told that a further increase has been approved for October, just in time for winter. She also mentioned that gas (‘petrol’) is currently up to 1.70 pounds per litre and was expected to reach 2.00. At the current exchange rate ($1.33 per 1 GBP), that’s $2.66 per litre x 3.79 litres per US gallon = $10.08 per gallon.

Her husband suggested that they “start stocking up on things we use” and in the course of doing this, she noticed that something she had last paid 0.68 GBP for, now cost 0.75, which is a 10.3% increase. It’s happening everywhere and across all commodities. She mentioned that it was difficult to get meat (“shelves are empty”).

So I decided to ask the Silver Tigers what they were observing, and what they were doing about it. I asked who has seen food shortages and/or price rises, and what action were being taken. The answers are illuminating. People are seeing shortages everywhere – for example:

  • John R: Not necessarily shortages but certain items were out. For example, yesterday I stopped at a Sam’s Club to get coffee and nuts. They had plenty of coffee but no peanuts or mixed nuts. I did buy an extra can of coffee to be prepared.
  • Chet W: Meat prices are insane, shelves run empty but are filled in a day or two.
  • Heidi BS: Definite food price rises! Prices are high particularly for meat. Occasional short term shortages, usually of chicken. But still seeing areas of empty shelves on occasion.
  • Theresa RM: Rising prices for almost every products for groceries. Our local ‘Giant’ stores in SE PA, have had low inventory on canned goods, and some other items. Other stores are ok.
  • Debbie M: Certain items, like aluminum foil, have been quietly increasing in price for the past 3 years. I was buying extra when it was on sale but am not seeing sales anymore. Check out the aluminum price increases. Aluminum Price is at a current level of $3245.79 per metric ton, up from 3005.98 last month and up from 2078.59 one year ago. This is a change of 7.98% from last month and 56.15% from one year ago.

People are up-stocking and gardening more, too – for example:

  • Lateif D: I can’t fit any more in my freezers.. need to start rotating food…
  • Chet W: We have a freeze dryer and preserve our own food. We go to the local farmers’ markets, and have our own chickens.
  • Dawn D: My ‘hoop house’ [what is a hoop house – Ed] is full of seedlings and we’re doubling the garden size this year. We’ve added additional chickens. We have all the freezers full and I’m prepared to can all the meats if needed. I want a freeze dryer and have been sporadically researching them for what seems like years. I’ll get there eventually.
  • Matthew M: I just bought a meat canner.
  • Heidi BS: We started raising meat chickens last year, have had laying hens for years. This year we’re raising 2 hogs. And we hunt. Thankfully an option for us

So the question is – is this a Real Thing? If so, what are YOU doing? Not all of us has a big garden, or are fit enough to use one. My township prohibits the keeping of chickens. Are you allowed to have them? What about rabbits?

Do you even think it’s serious? If you do, then maybe start by buying an extra jar of your favorite pasta sauce and see where that takes you (if you can still get it, of course…).

Reaching out with Ham Radio.

~ grant.gallagher ~ 3 Comments

Author Todd Ellis balances his work life with community volunteerism.  A Critical Infrastructure communications expert, Ellis helps design systems for rail, bus and airports and was awarded two related patents.  After hours, Ellis is an Auxiliary Police Officer in his local township, teaches firearm safety courses, is an adult Scouter and a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus.  Ellis and his wife Stacey reside on their uniquely sloped property known as Leprechaun Hill in southeastern Pennsylvania.

The Internet is a wonderful tool for people to communicate with each other via e-mail and websites. Newer technologies like video conferencing have moved from the business world to everyday use. Different video conferencing platforms like “Microsoft Teams” or “Cisco Webex” or “Zoom” are great, but contact has to be pre-arranged; rarely will you bump into someone online for a chat. It also requires good data speed or bandwidth, and reliable connectivity.

There are some older communication technologies that need reconsideration. One method is amateur (or “ham”) radio. The term “ham” started in the 19th century when telegraph stations using Morse code had poor technique – they were said to be “ham fisted”, and the term stuck. The wonder of ham radio is that it does not require an internet connection, and ham operators are located worldwide, so it’s a great way to make new friends all across the globe!

So, how do you get started? It’s a little technical. People must take a test as stipulated by the Federal Communications Commission (or the federal agency in their own country abroad) and receive their license to operate. However, if you can figure out how to set up a computer and run programs, you’re probably technically minded enough to pass the test.

Once licensed, hams can buy two-way radios and talk to one another both locally, and over long distances. Generally, your capabilities are limited to your interest in the hobby, how much physical land you own, and your bank account. Some radio equipment is very cost-efficient and good for using around town. Some people have erected small radio towers or erected large antennas that allow reliable communications worldwide. Most find a place in the middle that allows for high enjoyment with moderate cost and effort.

Ham radio operators come from every walk of life. Everyone from truck mechanics to physicians have come hams. Some of the more famous people who have been licensed hams include Senator Barry Goldwater and King Hussain of Jordan. However, the most important folks are those who use their radios during emergencies to provide communications where no communications infrastructure exists. Case in point, amateur radio has certainly been in use across Kentucky during December’s awful tornado event. Following Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, ham radio was the only method to reliably connect with those in the affected area.

Those who have limited mobility or other disabilities enjoy the hobby. It’s truly gratifying to know about people who have made friends in other countries without ever leaving their home. Radio allows people to broaden their horizons who otherwise would have been limited to their immediate surroundings. It’s amazing to finally meet someone face-to-face without ever realizing they were physically handicapped. In one memorable situation, a young man who professed to have “a map in my head” really did – he had memorized directions from listening to taxi dispatchers and had effectively memorized a map of a city. However, being completely blind, he had never actually “seen” a map, yet he provided cheerful assistance to anyone asking for local road directions.

The hobby also causes one to use one’s brains! Cognitive decline happens faster with those who put their brain in neutral; having a somewhat technical hobby can help keep you sharp. Making new friends along the way is certainly a terrific side effect!

Basic Preparedness – One Woman’s Journey, Part 2

~ grant.gallagher ~ 1 Comment

Author Tara Fleming is 56 years old, a 25 year resident of NJ, mother of 3 and employed in financial services. This is the second of two blog posts.

We reviewed some ideas for how to prevent and avoid emergencies in Part I. Now we will review some ideas for preparedness for disasters, small and large.

If you are comfortable, you may want to learn to safely and responsibly operate a firearm. Many ranges offer their own training courses, but there are great independent trainers, such ScotShot LLC and Compass Defense LLC, who may work better for you. If you are a woman, you may want to join an association such as Armed Women of America, which has Shooting Chapters across these United States. This really does make it much more comfortable for the beginner to learn along with others at the same level, or benefit from the wealth of knowledge of more experienced shooters.

If you do decide to explore this self-defense option, it is incumbent upon you to undertake the appropriate training for safe handling and operation of a firearm. Be prepared to spend time and money. Understand that training and practice should be continuous and consistent. It is a serious commitment, but very rewarding and worthwhile. You will need to check the laws in your state regarding required permits and licenses. The best place to start is with your local police department website, where you will be able to find the necessary forms and applications. You will also want to join an association such as US Law Shield, to protect yourself from legal events.

Pay attention and be aware of your surroundings! This is super important, especially as we age. It may seem obvious and natural but I guarantee you that it is not. We must make a conscious effort when out and about to keep our minds clear of distractions, eyes up and forward and remain aware. This is not saying to be paranoid and fearful when out and about, in fact it is the exact opposite. It is not complete relaxation, such as when we are at home, but neither is it a state of high alert, which would be very stressful. It is somewhere right in between. Just a slightly elevated state of awareness is what we should work towards. This takes practice, but it can become intuitive.

If able, you should consider learning a self-defense skill, such as Krav Maga, which does not depend solely on strength or size for effectiveness.

Learn about long term food and water storage. An organization called Outdoor Core has an excellent set of short on-line classes that covers a wide range of preparedness ideas and skill-sets, including one on preparing food storage in your home.

Form or join a preparedness group or club in your local community. Your friends and neighbors are a good place to start. It is good to have a reliable local network of like-minded individuals. Take advantage of free resources, too – the Federal Government makes a great starting point.

Prepare a “bug-out bag”. This will help you get to safety if you have to move in a hurry. You can buy them, or build one of your own, that is tailored to your specific needs. This can be as simple as a back pack with some basic supplies, or as much as you can reasonably carry.

Have a plan to get in touch with family members, understanding that cell towers may be down or overwhelmed. Agree on a meeting place out of town for extended communications disruptions or emergencies. Many towns and cities have citizen volunteer organizations, such as fire departments, police auxiliary and emergency management offices. Consider joining one of these organization as the training and knowledge you will gain is priceless.
Consider getting your HAM radio license so that you can be a communications resource for your community. This is a bit involved but if you are mechanically inclined, you may want to give it a go. Again, you may want to start with Outdoor Core and their Ham Cram course.

Take a first-aid and/or CPR course from the Red Cross. I’ve taken a few courses and really learned a lot. You would probably want to take some of the courses every year or every other year to keep your skills sharp.

Please keep the gas tank full or nearly full in all of your vehicles. Please. If you have to leave the vicinity in a hurry, chances are so will everyone else. You do not want to be stuck on a gas line or worse if the gas station is closed. I have gone from someone who drove around perpetually on “E” to now filling my tank once it is half empty.

There is a lot to learn in the world of preparedness. It is important not to become overwhelmed and discouraged. Remember, take it one step at a time and do your best within the scope of your finances, skills, ability and available space. If you are able, consider dedicating one evening per week or one day per month to preparedness activities. This can be done in an enjoyable and fun way, especially along with family and friends. It should not take away from your other regular life activities, but rather should enhance them. It is very likely that some of the things you already enjoy doing or skills and knowledge that you already have (exercising, gardening, firearms training, canning, fixing cars) are also prepping activities!

So have fun, learn new skills and share your knowledge with others. Be part of the solution, not part of the problem! To quote the great Creek Stewart, “It’s not if, but when.”

They’re always wanting your money, Part 2.

~ grant.gallagher ~ 1 Comment

Author Ryan M. Chippendale has been in public safety/service for over two decades. He has held the roles of Police Officer, Firefighter, EMT, CPR Instructor, NRA Instructor, Glock Armorer, and Notary Public, among others.  He is the proud father of three girls (12, 10, 4) and has been married for thirteen years.  He is the son of a senior mother who keeps a running honey-do list for him, and he has expertise with firearms, electronics and computer systems.  He is an ordained minister, is fluent in sarcasm and has been known to be found at a karaoke bar once or twice in his life. This is the second of a series of three blog posts.

 

If you’re just joining us then you missed the first article where I briefly discussed senior scam phone calls.  The takeaway from that was if any stranger calls you, filter it though a skeptical lens.

There is one small caveat though… what if the phone call is from someone who claims to be NOT a stranger?  “Hi Grandma, I got arrested in Mexico and the only way they’ll let me out is if you go by a Walmart gift card and send it to me.”  First, you know from the first article that no government agency known to me will accept a gift card but what about your poor grandson?  Are you the heartless person to leave him sitting in a Mexican prison?!?  Take that drop of cynicism and apply it to this scenario… ask a challenge question.

What is something super obvious that your grandson would know?  It doesn’t have to be tricky like asking the color of the sweater you wore at Christmas, more like the name of the street you live on.  Or his mother’s first name.  The scammer will just hang up, or if you’re lucky, they’ll spew some curse words at you before hanging up.  Believe it or not, a lot of people are taken by this method.  

Phone calls are the Mecca of scammers because it removes the ability of the victim to get a feel for what’s real and what isn’t.  With technology these days, they are even able to remove accents from their voices.  You might be more comfortable speaking with someone who has a southern drawl than a foreigner.  If you’re on the phone, listen for things that sound culturally improper… those are harder to fake.

Another example of a common telephone scam relies less on sympathy and more on fear.  You receive a call from someone who tells you that you’re a victim (they hope) of a fraud.  “Hello, this is Bank of America and we’ve detected some fraudulent activity on your account.  Before we can continue, we need you to verify your social security number?”  How responsible and thorough of Bank of America, right?  The problem is that it isn’t actually Bank of America calling… do you even have a Bank of America account?  What if there actually is some kind of fraud happening and the person calling is legitimate?  No big deal… ask for a reference number or the like.  Hang up and call the phone number on the back of your credit card.  I don’t even trust the Google searches in a situation like that.  Pull out your paper statement or the physical credit card to get the phone number.  Always be wary of someone who calls you and asks you for information.  Always be suspicious of someone who calls you and wants to pressure you into doing anything as if time is a factor.  

Along the lines of fear, your power is about to be shut off.  It’s not, but imagine I made the scenario real enough and you believed your power was about to be shut off?  It’s 30 degrees out, you have electric heat, you have an electric stove, your family is about to sit in the dark and eat uncooked food!  As a scammer I’m going to slap you with whatever I can make you afraid of.  But don’t worry… we can clear this outstanding bill up with a quick and easy trip to Wallgreens for a gift card to satisfy the debt.  Ding ding ding… red flag!  Gift card for anything = scam.  Often criminals will pretend to be some type of utility company and call about an outstanding bill and threaten suspension of services if payment is not immediately made.  Same as the Bank of America story… Hang up, pull out the bill and call them yourself.  Maybe there is actually a delinquency, butseek it out yourself.  Don’t trust a stranger who called you.  

Trust but verify!

 

Basic Preparedness – One Woman’s Journey, Part 1.

~ grant.gallagher ~ 1 Comment

Author Tara Fleming is 56 years old, a 25 year resident of NJ, mother of 3, and employed in financial services. This is the first of two blog posts.

As part of the 55 and older crowd, we should be leading the charge in terms of preparedness and guiding our younger friends and family members to incorporate preparedness as part of everyday life. The preparedness lifestyle should not be looked upon as panic-mongering or hoarding. That perception among the “unprepared” needs to change. It should be part of our culture as Americans so that when an emergency comes, and come it will, we can be part of the solution, rather than part of the problem.

Admittedly, I joined this community very late in the game and I am still a beginner. It was after Hurricane Sandy, that it first dawned on me that I needed to change things. I just was not sure of exactly what to do, and still it took me years to really get started. There is so much to know and learn. But it is important to understand that it is never too late to adopt this survival and preparedness mindset. I would recommend taking it one step at a time, and breaking it down into small steps. There are many great resources available and especially for beginners.

To start let’s split this down into two main areas: 1) Steps you can take to help prevent emergencies from occurring and/or avoiding them in the first place,and; 2) Steps you can take to be prepared for unavoidable emergencies that cannot be prevented or avoided. Here we will focus on prevention, and in the next post we will focus on preparation. You may probably heard some of these things before, but they are crucial to a preparedness mindset, and so they bear repeating.

Physical fitness and health. This cannot be emphasized enough. Become as physically fit as you can, considering any limitations you may have. At a minimum, take a daily walk and get outside. If you cannot walk, invest in a punching bag and throw punches. If a punching bag is not feasible, you can throw air punches. Punches will blast your heart rate and boost your cardio health. Consider programs such as Yoga and Pilates to improve your balance, flexibility and range of motion.

Get an annual physical, including bloodwork. Discuss any findings with the doctor to determine next steps, such as supplements if necessary. Maintain a healthy diet and weight. Of course, consult your doctor before starting any physical activity or adding or removing anything from your diet. Here is a great resource to keep up on all the latest health science and studies – The Andrew Huberman Lab.

Mental and spiritual fitness are also important and all 3 pillars should be in balance. Learning new skills or reading/listening to a book will certainly contribute to mental fitness. If you have a religious affiliation, consider renewing or reconnecting with it. If that is not your thing, just getting out there in nature or learning to meditate or volunteering to help others in some capacity can nourish your spirit. However you choose to do it, balance of the 3 pillars will put you in the best possible position for whatever comes. Our duty as American citizens is to be physically, mentally and spiritually prepared to the best of our ability.

Around your home, make sure you have fire and carbon monoxide detectors installed and working as well as easily accessible fire extinguishers in your place of residence. Plan for how you will exit your home, from any floor, in the event of a fire.

Know what emergency and contingency plans your town or city has in place. Contact your local township committee, city council, etc. or even better, attend the meetings regularly and stay informed.

Read, learn, know, understand and educate others on the Constitution! Understanding freedom and liberty, where it comes from, and how to protect and defend it, is an often-overlooked subject in the preparedness community, but it is crucial for a self-governing citizenry that wishes to remain so – (“A republic, if you can keep it!” -Benjamin Franklin). Here are some great resources that you may not have come across before. You may be shocked at how much you actually do not know and stand to learn about the foundations of freedom and our Constitution!

We can find ways to incorporate these prevention plans into our existing schedules. Try swapping a monthly lunch date with a friend for a skills class together every other month. While you are doing household chores, commuting to work or exercising, listen to an informational podcast or audible book. These are just a few ideas to help you get started along your self-reliance and preparedness journey. Safe travels!

Moving Home? A Cautionary Tale…

~ grant.gallagher ~ 1 Comment

Author Todd Ellis balances his work life with community volunteerism.  A Critical Infrastructure communications expert, Ellis helps design systems for rail, bus and airports and was awarded two related patents.  After hours, Ellis is an Auxiliary Police Officer in his local township, teaches firearm safety courses, is an adult Scouter and a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus.  Ellis and his wife Stacey reside on their uniquely sloped property known as Leprechaun Hill in southeastern Pennsylvania.

As we get older, many folks desire a warmer climate. Sometimes, seniors are capable of maintaining a dual residence; enjoying summers in the North, then heading South as the weather begins to turn. More often, there will be a total move of a residence that requires the use of a professional moving company. Due to increasing labor and transportation costs, shipments of household goods can be surprisingly expensive. It’s natural that anyone, whether on a fixed income or not would look for better moving costs.

Recently a senior couple (we’ll call them Kay and Ted) moved from their Upstate New York residence to a long awaited move to Florida. A retired businessman, Ted made several telephone calls to local movers to obtain a competitive price. COVID issues have decimated moving company labor – and thus Ted couldn’t obtain a proposal from anyone. No local company had enough personnel to cover current commitments and none was interested in Ted’s long-haul opportunity.

Kay and Ted were becoming desperate. Having already sold their home, it was imperative to quickly find a mover who could pack and ship their household belongings before the closing date. Ted began looking online for alternative shippers. One particular firm looked pretty good – their company name sounded a lot like a familiar nationwide moving company but promised to provide better pricing. Ted was delighted to find that the company could send a representative to their home within a day and provide a written proposal. Both Kay and Ted were proud that they did it all on their own without having to ask family members for help.

Ted reviewed the contract; it had plenty of strongly written terms and a good price. The firm showed up the next week to retrieve their goods…in a rented box truck. Their excuse was that their truck was tied up on another job and their goods would be transferred into their bigger truck the next day.

Kay and Ted closed on their old home and flew to their new Florida destination. A stipulated fourteen days for delivery came and went – and no truck, no furniture, no household goods. Calls to the moving company were answered by a polite receptionist but no information was provided about their shipment. Concerned, Kay called their son Rick to see if he had any ideas on what to do. Their son, a security expert, carefully listened to the facts and then asked for an electronic copy of their contract. Within minutes Rick had determined there was a big problem; other customers had been posting complaints about the company across the Internet for the last year. He read about customers who never received their shipments and customers that were asked to pay additional funds before delivery.

This is called “hostage taking”. Unscrupulous moving companies sometimes seize goods from individuals who appear to be well-heeled and then refuse to deliver until “unexpected fees” are collected. Unfortunately, anxiety sometimes wins over good judgement and the victim pays the moving company, hoping to simply walk away from a bad situation. That approach doesn’t help the next potential victim! Several other victims had registered complaints on the Better Business Bureau’s site, but the moving company was not a BBB member and only responded in a limited way to keep complaints at bay.

Rick quickly developed an action plan. First, he had Kay call their new local police department to file a report. A responding detective called the moving company on behalf of his department and that got the ball rolling. Because the goods were shipped across state lines, Rick also contacted a friend who is a Special Agent at the FBI. Because Ted had found the company on the Internet, Rick was advised to file a complaint on the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint website (www.ic3.gov). A quick four days later, a truck arrived with Kay and Ted’s belongings. Although the goods were a bit banged up there was a great relief that irreplaceable items were recovered.

Kay and Ted learned several important lessons; they didn’t do their homework and investigate the company online or look for positive (or negative) references. They never asked the company about past customers, and they accepted the company’s odd story that the rented box truck was only a temporary measure. Lastly, they didn’t ask their son Rick for assistance which could have prevented the anxiety this situation caused. Remember, a deal that seems too good often isn’t good at all.

A few words about – Exhaust!

~ grant.gallagher ~ 1 Comment

Author Heidi Bergmann-Schoch is a United States Concealed Carry Association multi-discipline instructor and Training Counselor (instructor-trainer), as well as a multi-discipline instructor for the NRA and a Chief Range Safety Officer. Public Safety orientated, she has served working nights as a Nationally Registered Paramedic and a Police Officer working patrol, training and handling a Patrol/Narcotics K-9 and an adjunct Tactical Officer. She does some of her best work in the dark. Spending a good part of her life breaking, training, and showing horses, she understands the art of compromise and the benefits of Advil. She can usually be found on her farm with her husband and a plethora of animals, as well as plenty of bees.

We all have various types of exhaust pipes and flues that we rarely think about. They do the unseen work of removing toxic by-products of combustion and keep us healthy and on the green side of the grass.

Then a winter snowstorm arrives and things get REAL. Your car sits idling in the driveway. Your furnace or boiler is working overtime to keep your house warm and maybe your water hot. The woodstove is burning comfortably, adding both ambiance and heat, making things that much comfier. But where are all those by-products going?

The snow is building up outside and it’s blowin’ a gale out there. Time to head to the store for that last quart of milk, loaf of bread and dozen eggs and that car has to be warm! You’ve cleaned the windows and doors, but did you check the tailpipe? You hear the throaty sound of your car as it’s running and distractedly think it never used to be that way, but it sounds kind of sexy. You jump in, notice a bit of an odor but nothing will stop you from that French Toast recipe. By the time you’re halfway to the store, you’ve got a ripping headache, nausea, are dizzy and the road is getting fuzzy.

Check whether snow has made your car unsafe before setting out!

Undeterred, you continue on….. To wake up in the hospital scheduled to be transferred ASAP to a bariatric chamber to remove the carbon monoxide from your blood. Seems that the snow drifted around your vehicle and blocked the exhaust from leaving the pipe freely. It accumulated under your car and, along with the leaking system, that cool “throaty, sexy noise”, filled the interior with toxins composed of mostly carbon monoxide. That’s monoxide, not the dioxide stuff that puts the fizz in your Pepsi.

When it comes to snow, things can get tricky around your home. Newer homes have exhaust vents in locations that can cause problems. Close to the ground, tucked into a corner, snow can build up unnoticed. High efficiency heating systems expel gases at cooler temperatures so it’s easier for snow at even moderate rates to build up. Find your furnace exhaust pipe and if it’s low, dig it out and keep it cleared.

That cozy fireplace can also be deadly. What can cause it to be a risk and not a benefit? If the top of your chimney isn’t screened, young birds can be inquisitive and fall down the pipe, getting stuck along the way. One more follows it’s sibling and then there’s NOTHING getting through. Some configurations invite older birds to nest, which causes the same scenario. Light your first fire and you better consider donating to your local fire department! A blocked chimney can cause a fire AND keep the toxic gases from exiting.

Your fire is burning low and the wind is whipping outside. You smell a little smoke and think how nice it is. But it continues, little by little. Seems the wind gusts are causing a backdraft down the chimney, forcing that evil carbon monoxide into the room. Time to either crank that fire up or put it out!

Here’s a few other reminders to keep your lips from turning that brilliant cherry red color (a strong sign of carbon monoxide poisoning, that you won’t see because you’ll likely be unconscious!)

  • NEVER leave your vehicle idling when the exhaust pipe or underside is blocked.
  • NEVER use a camp stove in the house.
  • NEVER use a generator in an enclosed area (like the garage, even with the door open).
  • NEVER use a propane powered heater inside the house.
  • NEVER use a gas kitchen stove for heat..
  • NEVER light your fireplace or woodstove at the beginning of the heating season without checking the chimney.
  • ALWAYS keep the batteries in your CO and Smoke detectors fresh. Change them when the clocks change and replace the detectors themselves every 10 years.
  • ALWAYS leave an enclosed area if you suddenly develop a severe headache, nausea and dizziness and carbon monoxide may be present.
  • ALWAYS leave immediately with your pets when a carbon monoxide alarm activates and call 911. Do not ventilate as the fire department will need to take readings to find the source.

Safe Storage of your Defensive Handgun

~ grant.gallagher ~ 1 Comment

Author Glenn McDermott is the owner of the Firearms Education Center, and runs First Level Training, where he focuses on providing new shooters with the skills they need to confidently take their first shots on the live-fire range. He is an NRA Certified Pistol and rifle Instructor, and Chief Range Safety Officer. Glenn is also certified in defensive firearm instruction by the USCCA. This is the first of a series of two blog posts.

If you decide to protect yourself with a firearm in your home as I do, here are a few things to consider to keep you and others safe, while storing defensive firearms in your home. Remember, it is your responsibility as the responsible gun owner to make sure your guns are stored safely, but still accessible in an emergency. It’s worth spending a few moments thinking about this.

Being just north of sixty, I no longer have the physical ability to overcome an attacker by brute force. So, I choose to keep a firearm in the house to protect myself and my family. There are some safety strategies that I put into place when doing so. When you’ve read this post, you should decide on strategies that fit your personal and family circumstances.

First, I keep my firearm locked in a pistol vault, but where should it be? The placement of this is important. You want to keep your vault in an area where it is accessible in case of a break-in or a life-threatening situation. If you are an empty-nester, the thought of having your gun in the nightstand next to your bed, or top drawer of your dresser, may seem appealing. However, take a moment and put yourself in the mind of a burglar and try to think how a burglar thinks. Where is the first place he is going to look for a firearm? You guessed it, the same places you thought of! So, pick a spot where a burglar wouldn’t look.

Second, being able to access your firearm quickly is essential. Keep accessibility and logistics in mind when deciding the location of your pistol vault in your home. Try to get a vault that has a door that flips down rather than from the side, this will give you access to your gun regardless of its orientation.

Use a combination that is easy to execute in the dark. For instance, don’t use a code like your birthday or a commonly-used password or series of numbers. Instead use a pattern, like an X pattern, or each corner of the key pad so your muscle memory will automatically do the pattern. You don’t want to have to rely on remembering a number code. In a high stress situation, this will be crucial. Consider building that muscle memory by putting something in the vault you use every day, such as your car keys.

Third, how are you going to store your firearm? Will it be fully-loaded with a round in the chamber or not? Previously, I used to keep a fully-loaded magazine in the gun but no round in the chamber. ‘Why?’ you may ask. Well again, this is me, and I know how I operate under high-stress situations. When I am in a deep sleep, dreaming a dream, and I’m awakened by the sound of someone breaking into my home, my adrenalin is going to skyrocket. When going for my gun I DO NOT want to inadvertently pull the trigger while accessing my pistol. So, try to have a set of mental safeties in place to avoid an unintentional discharge.

Now however, I do keep a round in the chamber and to prevent accidentally firing because of stress, I now have the gun in a holster to cover the trigger. I believe this gives me the safety I want, and quick access I need. So when I get woken up in the middle of the night, I must do a series of things before I am mentally ready to fire:

  • First, confirm that there is a threat.
  • Second, get up and use the access code to open the vault.
  • Third, retrieve the firearm from the vault and remove the gun from the holster.

By this point, I should be mentally ready to cognitively assess the situation and make the decision to defend myself and my loved ones, if absolutely necessary. Some of this will be different if you use a revolver but much will be similar. Remember that the trigger on a revolver requires a much stronger trigger-pull than that on a semi-auto pistol.

Company, visitors, and guests staying over. It’s great to have family and friends stay for a day or two, but this presents an important set of considerations when you have a home defense firearm. So, how do you keep your firearm stored safely when you have family, company or visitors staying in your home for short or extended periods of time?

Stealth is always a good idea when storing a firearm in the home. However, what if your visitors (or their children) already know you own a firearm? Regardless of how securely you may think you have stored your gun, people (particularly children) have a way of getting into places you don’t want them to be. This is especially true if there is some cognitive or behavioral issue that your guest brings.

So, be proactive. If you know your Uncle Joe is coming to stay for a while, and you know he has issues such as a drinking problem, or mental dysfunction, now might be a good time to consider whether to disable your firearm. Yes, that’s right, take it apart, make it nonfunctional, keep the slide in one place and the frame locked in your vault, so if someone does breach your pistol vault, they only have a piece of a gun and not the whole thing. Also, lock up your ammo so it is not accessible at all. These steps will keep everyone in your household safe.

Remember the three NRA rules for safe gun handling:

  • ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction;
  • ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot;
  • ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.

“The Firearms Education Center” – Be Safe, Be Smart, Be Educated.

How to Spot an Internet Scam

~ grant.gallagher ~ 2 Comments

Author Michael Lindner is a software developer living in Monmouth County, NJ, with his beautiful wife and the youngest of his three sons. His interests are faith, family and freedom, which makes him an anachronism.

The term “Spam” is used to describe any unwanted or unsolicited email or text. Often these “spam” messages are also “scam” messages – messages designed to con you out of money or personal information that can be used to rob you. If you’re like me, you get text messages and emails almost every day from scammers. As a long-time computer professional I can share some tips to spot them and avoid getting scammed. Here are some of the things I look out for – do any of these seem familiar?

Getting messages from a company you don’t do business with. Almost every day, I get a message with a link to a gift for being a loyal Verizon cellular customer. The problem is that Verizon is not my phone carrier.

If you receive a message claiming you are a customer of some company you know you are not a customer of, chances are it is someone trying to trick you into either trying to accept a “free” gift or trying to tell them you are not their customer. Sometimes the message is from a company you have an account with, but is referencing something fake. For instance “Thanks for paying your December bill, here is a gift” when you paid your December bill weeks ago (or haven’t paid yet). Check the source of the email or text, it is probably wrong.

Getting email messages from a suspicious email address. Email and web addresses work from right to left. If you google Verizon you will find their web address is www.verizon.com. The important part is the last two parts, “verizon.com”, which is called the “domain name”. Every web site the company has, and every email the company uses, will end in that same domain name, “verizon.com”. Scammers will usually use email addresses and links that are similar, but different. Some examples might be “verizon.xyz.com”, “verizon.xyz”, “verison.com” or “verizon.com.xyz.org”. Note that they do not end in “verizon.com”.

Most email programs will show you the actual email address if you hover the mouse cursor over the “From” email address on the screen. A few will make you right click or click on “show headers” to see it. But if an email is suspicious, take the extra time to see who it’s actually from, and whether it is legitimate.

Getting text messages from a suspicious phone number. Most large companies use “short codes” to contact their customers. This is a five to seven digit number. If you receive a text message allegedly from your phone carrier or similar that is from a “normal” 10 digit phone number, it is likely a scam. Be careful.

Getting message with a link that doesn’t go to the right web site. Links to web sites look like “https://www.verizon.com/support”. The part after the “://” and before the next “/” is the important part, and just like the email addresses, it must end in the proper domain name, in this case “verizon.com”. An email might have a link that says “click on Verizon customer service” to claim your gift. If you hover your mouse cursor over the link, most browsers will display, at the bottom of the window, where the link actually goes. If that link is not going to the domain you expect, odds are the email is a scam. If the email looks suspicious but you want to go to the site the email allegedly goes to a safer way is to google the address (for example, google “Verizon customer service”) and click on the search results.

Web sites that ask for personal information. Suppose the email looked ok, but when I click on the link the site I go to is asking for my name and birth date, or other personal information, to “verify” who I am? That’s likely not a legitimate site. If you are uncomfortable with the site asking for personal information, look up the phone number of the company it’s supposed to be from, call their customer service and ask if the email and site are legitimate. Most companies are happy to help, and grateful to find out about scammers using their name.

What to do with scam emails, texts, etc. What should you do with a suspicious message? First off what not to do. Do NOT respond to it, even to say “rot in hell you scammer”. The more information they get from you, even just the fact that you are a real person, the more they can do. Ignore ignore ignore.

Most email clients have a “Spam” button that you can click on. Use it. Not only does that keep you from having to see the message, but it gives the email program information on catching future scam messages. Use spam filters if your email/phone provides has them. These take feedback from other users reporting spam to stop such messages from getting through to your inbox in the first place.

Most of all, remember the adage “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t.”