TELECOM TIPS, TRICKS & TRAPS

TRICKS:

• BE SAFER WITH YOUR CELL PHONE IN THE CAR:
  
  
  
  • Load phone numbers into your speed-dial address book and use them so you don't have to take your eyes off the road.
    
  • Have your companion dial for you and handle the call.
    
  • Wait for a quieter section of the road or pull over to place a call.
    
  • Don't start a cell call when you are approaching the spaghetti bowl.
    
  • Tell the called party you are in your car and they will understand why you may be distracted at times or become disconnected.
    
  • Cut down the background noise, such as the radio, even the AC and your companion's chatter so you can concentrate better.
    
  • Consider using a headset or other hands-free capability.
    

• LD SCAMS: A practice that now seems common place goes as follows: The bad guys leave you a voicemail or text message with an area code outside the US, but with a familiar looking 3 digit area code format. You return the call, which is automatically forwarded to a pay-per-call service that invoices through a LEC billing service arrangement, and you are stuck paying for the call on your local phone bill. You can't easily chase these out-of-country bandits. Beware of strange area codes and compelling messages (your relative was injured in a wreck, etc.)

• BOGUS INVOICES: Be careful of familiar looking invoices from companies who are cleverly disguised as providers of routine directory services, such as "Yellow Pages" and similar titles. Same for copier services, web domain renewals, etc. The invoice appears like a renewal and we have seen many in the $195 to $995 range. The unsuspecting office manager or accounts payable clerk can easily be fooled by this scam.

• If you have any favorite tips, tricks or traps, let us know so we may post them here for all to share. E-mail: visitor@cofran.com

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