Security precautions should be on your mind at the ATM
Dear Readers: Using an ATM gives you easy access to money, but there are some security issues that you should keep in mind.
The most important one: do not give your PIN (personal identification number) to anyone. No one should need it, not even your bank. And never give it over the phone.
If you are using an ATM that is outside, check out the area before walking or driving up. If you see someone hanging around, don’t use the ATM! Be safe, not sorry. Wait until you are alone, and park as close as possible.
When you approach the ATM, have your card ready, make your transaction and leave quickly. Don’t stand around counting your money. Get back in your car and lock the doors.
If you lose your ATM card, report it to your bank immediately. Save your transaction receipts so you can check them against your monthly statement. And remember, if you use an ATM other than your bank’s, there might be a service charge. Heloise
Dear Heloise: I send my husband’s shirts to the cleaners, and after a while, I end up with lots of wire hangers. Any suggestions on what to do with these? Jessie, via e-mail
•Ask if your dry cleaner takes them — many do.
•Give to a thrift store.
•Take to a coin-operated laundry.
•Check a homeless or battered-women’s shelter.
•Call a local school’s art or drama department.
•Contact Scout troops or summer programs. Heloise
Dear Heloise: I live on a farm, and we have flies. I hate them in my house, and especially in the kitchen. It seems like they know when you pick up a fly swatter, too. I keep some type of spray cleaner on the counter at all times, and I use it to “disable” the fly while I grab a paper towel or napkin to pick him up with. Water probably would work, too, but I like the fact that I’m cleaning the spot where the fly was last seen. Tammie Frenzel, Westphalia, Texas
Yep, many times spraying them will kill them. Try aerosol hair spray — it really works. Heloise
Dear Heloise: Another idea for using great calendar photos is to laminate them for use as place mats. The size is appropriate, and often you have an entire calendar of one subject, such as flowers, animals or even Chinese scenes (great for celebrating Chinese New Year!). Eleanor Lewis, Weyers Cave, Va.
Sound Off
Dear Heloise: I want to comment on cashiers who moisten their fingertips to separate plastic bags, count out your change, etc. Don’t they know that they are sending their germs home with the customer? Now that the cold and flu germs are around, hopefully your column will inform many cashiers. Ray, via e-mail
Noted! The cashiers are also ingesting all of the germs from any surface they have touched. Yuck! Heloise
SBlt Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate