Keep financial info private

DEAR HELOISE ❯❯ I work with a large banking firm, and over the last few months, we've noticed a significant increase in identity theft. It has become a serious problem for many people who have been duped into believing that they are talking to an employee of their bank or credit company, or even a bill collector. Here is what my firm recommends to avoid getting your identity stolen:

1. Never give out your social security number to anyone who calls you on the phone. The same goes for your PIN numbers or passwords. I don't care who they say they represent.

2. Never tell anyone how much you have saved, have invested in or are worth. This private information is never to be shared with friends, neighbors or strangers on the phone.

3. If you receive an email from someone who claims to be from a credit card company or a bill collector, and they provide you with a specific phone number or website to contact them at, don't use it. Instead, find their website by researching their name and get the phone number directly from the website.

4. If you get a letter or phone call from someone who claims you didn't pay off your credit card, claims they're from a credit card company (or any company) you've never heard of, or claims they are collecting money for a debt, challenge them to show proof. Chances are, they're just scammers trying to steal from you.

5. Go over your monthly bills and statements very carefully. Mistakes can and have been made, and you might find that you've been charged for purchases you didn't make. Contact your credit card company or bank and notify them that these charges are not yours.

6. If you do online banking, change your password at least twice a year and use strong passcodes that won't be easily guessed by scammers.

7. Pick up checks or checkbooks at the bank. Never have them mailed to your house.

Protect yourself by protecting your personal and private financial information. You needn't tell anyone about your finances ... not even close friends or family members.

— Jeffery M., New York

Dental floss can work to help you with other things besides flossing your teeth. Here are some other uses for it:

• Hang up a picture.

• Cut up soft foods such as butter or cheese.

• Use as an emergency shoelace.

• Sew on a button.

• Tie up a roast.

• Tie up a vine or climbing plant.

DEAR HELOISE ❯❯ During the course of my career, I have traveled to various points in the U.S. and stayed in all kinds of hotels and motels as well as Airbnbs. Some were cleaner than others.

Since I never knew just how thoroughly the maids cleaned, I always traveled with disinfectant spray to make sure that I killed germs on the TV set, phone, door handles, bathroom sink, counters and shower.

Also, I always took my travel slippers with me because I don't like walking on strange carpeting that probably wasn't steam cleaned. Maybe this is why I have not gotten sick on the road in over 30 years.

— A.J.W., Minneapolis