Hints From Heloise

DOORBELLS

Dear Heloise: Whoever invented the doorbell camera has been a godsend! Since the COVID-19 virus has made ordering online so common and easy, many of us have used this service. But with that, came "porch pirates."

My husband wondered why a few of our orders went missing until we installed a doorbell camera and discovered our neighbor across the street was stealing our packages. My husband invited him over and showed him the tape, then asked for our items back or their monetary equivalent. Needless to say, nothing has gone missing since. You never know when a camera is watching you, so it's best to not to break the law. -- Jackie D., San Antonio

FAST-GROWING SCAM

Dear Heloise: According to the Federal Trade Commission, one of the fastest-growing scams comes from scammers who try to get you to pay off imaginary debts with gift cards. Anytime someone calls and says you owe money, which you can pay with gift cards, hang up on them. No reputable company will want you to pay off anything with a gift card. No matter if they threaten you or not, hang up on them. -Lowell C., Albany, New York

MISSING SOCKS

Dear Heloise: I had a terrible time with both my husband's and son's socks! It seemed that after every wash, one sock would just disappear, as if by magic. Finally, I got tired of that, so before I did laundry, I used a safety pin and pinned socks together. Now there are no more missing socks.

I used to use a mesh laundry bag, before it, too, went missing! The safety pin works out much better now. -- Loretta N., Redfield, S.D.