HELOISE Stopping unwanted faxes calls for a little work

Dear Heloise: At work, I am always getting unwanted faxes. Is there a place to call or write that will take our fax number off those companies' lists? Lynda, Beaumont, Texas
You aren't alone! Our office gets dozens a week, and it's maddening. After doing some research, we have come to the conclusion that there is no national number for stopping unwanted faxes. Laws differ from state to state, as well as country to country.
Many of the junk faxes have an 800 number listed on the bottom that you can call and supposedly have your fax number removed from the database. We have been doing this at our office and have found that we are not receiving as many junk faxes as before. Although occasionally we call a number, and they say we are already on the no-fax list, so why are we still getting faxes? Heloise
Dear Heloise: I read the hints from a reader who worked at a supermarket concerning people leaving behind wallets, purses, etc. She suggested putting one's local information -- local hotel or a friend's address -- in such items. I believe she was well-intentioned in offering this advice (as were you in printing it), but I don't believe this would be a wise thing to do.
There's just too much evil in the world today. Someone could use that information to track a victim down. It would be far better to carry only a phone number that is not identified with a specific location, like a cell phone. That would allow a finder to call the owner, but not to know where the owner is. Then arrangements could be made to meet in a public place, like a crowded mall or, better yet, a police station, where both parties could feel safe when the misplaced article is returned to the owner. It's pretty difficult to avoid this exposure entirely -- we all carry those items. But including one's local hotel address or friend's address seems an unnecessary increase in that exposure. Robin Henning, Bahama, N.C.
Good advice, Robin -- you are right. It's better to just use a contact phone number, but remember, if that number is listed, then a corresponding address might show up with a simple Internet search. Heloise
Dear Heloise: Here's a favorite hint of mine: I think it is probably safe to say that no one is excited to go to the dentist. What I do to make it a little better is take my portable radio headset and listen to music while the dentist is working. I am able to relax, and the visit isn't so bad. Vivian, Reading, Pa.
Vivian, I do something similar. I take a small cassette or CD player and listen to a favorite artist. And you're right, it does help -- no one likes listening to the drill. Heloise
Dear Heloise: I dip tight jar lids in hot water. The metal expands, and they come right off. Leslie D., Dallas
XSend a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.
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