COMMUNICATION IS THE FUTURE AND SO ARE THE RIP-OFFS

Modest changes are always part of human existence. But in the past 25 years when it comes to communication the changes are not modest, they are earth-shaking. Of course I am referring to the use of the computer and the cell-phone and the potential rip-offs with your credit cards. The computer is responsible for the demise of the telephone in many households and it is possible that the house phone will completely disappear Luckily for the rip-off artists who try and steal your private information with your cell phone number, that avenue will remain open Who needs the phone when you can instantly message a friend and get back an answer as quickly. The computer has put paper newspapers on a path to oblivion as you can go onto the computer and get the news literally as it is happening, provided no less by these very same newspapers. The writing was on the wall and was read by these dailies who put the instant news on their web page.

A few Sundays ago I was driving down Yonge St on a Sunday morning and the streets were quite empty. At the corner of Yonge and Bloor (busy intersection) there were about 20 people waiting for the bus ( too early for the subway). Nearly 18 of those 20 people were texting away to a friend somewhere ( anywhere) all over the world. Instant communication!

Drunk driving is against the law for obvious reasons and so is talking on a cell phone. But our teen-agers are so used to texting I predict it will be a problem getting them not to text and drive. Talking on the phone and driving is bad enough but texting takes the eyes completely of the road. Recently the Department of  Highways increased the fine for driving and using your cell phone.                                    

But what worries me the most is when I get a call, usually with a foreign accent, that somebody has used my credit card and taken out a large sum of money. I have asked many of my friends and they also receive these calls. As I am a senior most of the people I asked our of my age. What it seems is happening that these  people making the calls target seniors who are not as astute as a younger person . They ask all sort of important questions saying they are helping you. What is your credit card number, your S.I.N. and other information that you should never give out? If you fall into their trap , rest assured they will rob you. I also get calls that if I give them my credit card number they can lower the interest rate I pay. Communications are part of our future, but not all for the good. Stay on guard.

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