Be aware of these travel scams
Dear Heloise: I’ve done a lot of traveling, and I’d like to share a few things that I’ve learned:
A cabdriver claims the meter is broken but tells you he’ll give you a flat rate at a discount. Get out and find another cabbie. It’s a scam. A cabdriver tells you your hotel is closed or overbooked but wants to take you to the hotel of a friend. Get out of the cab and find another cabbie or you’ll be the victim of a scam.
Stay away from currency exchange booths. You may well be given counterfeit money. Always do a currency exchange at a bank. Familiarize yourself with the rate of exchange in any foreign country, and check the amount you were given against the receipt.
If at all possible, use a credit card or prepaid currency card for purchasing items. If the front desk calls and says your credit card was rejected and asks you to read the numbers to them over the phone, don’t do it. It’s a scam. — Faith G., Mesa, Ariz.
Home Security
Dear Heloise: I’ve been in home security for several years now, and I have a few hints to protect your home and yourself:
1. When you move into a home that was previously owned, change the locks first.
2. Never leave notes on the front door for anyone. Burglars love an empty house.
3. Make sure ALL door hinges are on the inside of the house.
4. Sliding glass doors should have an adjustable bar or broom handle along the sliding track to keep people from opening your sliding door.
5. Buy garage doors and house doors that do not have windows so thieves can’t look inside. — Steven J., Santa Fe, N.M.
Steven, thanks for these great hints for protecting your home. — Heloise
Dieting Don’ts
Dear Heloise: My doctor gave me some hints for losing weight that helped me drop two dress sizes:
■ Eat slowly, chew your food thoroughly and put your fork down between each bite.
■ Eat three small meals a day, with NO snacking in between.
■ Ask yourself if you’re really hungry or are you eating out of social habits. So many of our holidays revolve around food, and we eat when we aren’t hungry.
■ Stay busy and keep your mind off food. Stay out of the kitchen.
— Loni R., Ogden, Utah
Shower Caddy
Dear Heloise: When I want to avoid a mess in the car but my kids need to eat, I place their food in a shower caddy. It’s easy to clean and avoids spills in the car. — Anne P., Lynbrook, N.Y.