"Dialing for Dollars"

Telemarketing fraud costs Americans millions of dollars every year. And when it comes to phony investment "opportunities", older Americans are prime targets.
There are some "red flags" that should serve as warnings that an offer is probably a scam. You should be wary of:

  • "High profit, no risk" investment. As savvy investors know, the higher the profit, the greater the risk.
  • High pressure sales tactics and demands that you "act now or lose out" on the opportunity.
  • A request for your credit card number, bank account number,  Social Security number or date of birth for "identification" purposes.
  • Refusal to provide information in writing.
  • Evasive or vague answers to your questions.

Avoid becoming a victim by:
  • Taking your time in making a decision. Don't rush into accepting "high profit, low risk" offers.
  • Get all information in writing before you consider investing.
  • Put your telephone number on the National Do Not Call Registry at 1-888-382-1222.

 For more information, come to the Bugbee Senior Center on Wednesday, Nov. 3rd., for a special presentation at 12:30, provided by the U. S. Postal Inspection Service.

Anxiety

Feeling worried, anxious, and nervous is a part of everyday life. Everyone frets or feels anxious from time to time. However, when anxiety becomes overwhelming and interferes with daily life, it is not normal.
Anxiety can cause both physical and emotional symptoms. Physical symptoms often include:

  • Trembling, twitching or shaking
  • Muscle tension, aches or soreness
  • Restlessness
  • Fatigue
  • Insomnia
  • Breathlessness or rapid heartbeat
  • Sweating or cold, clammy hands
  • Tingling in the hands or around the mouth
Typical emotional symptoms include:
  • Feeling keyed up and on edge
  • Excessive worrying
  • Fearing that something bad is going to happen
  • Poor concentration and memory loss
  • Excessive startle response
  • Irritability or agitation
  • Constant sadness
Anxiety about a specific situation or fear can cause some or all of these symptoms for a short time. This is normal as long as anxiety symptoms subside once the situation passes. Some people develop generalized anxiety disorders in which many of these symptoms occur without an identifiable cause.
If you suffer from simple anxiety, try some of these "home treatment" steps:
  • Recognize and accept your anxiety about specific fears or situations. Then say to yourself, "Okay. I see the problem. Now I'll start to deal with it."
  • Relieve tension through exercise or a massage.
  • Get enough rest.
  • Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine.
  • Do something you enjoy.
  • Plan your day. Having too much or too little to do can make you more anxious.
  • Get involved in social groups or volunteer to help others. Being alone makes things seem worse than they are.
  • Consider whether medications might be making you anxious.  Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you think a medication may be causing your anxiety symptoms.
If anxiety symptoms are severe enough to interfere with your usual daily activities and a week of "home treatment" has not helped, call your doctor or local mental health center.

Adapted from "Healthwise  for Life", 3rd edition,
Healthwise, Inc., Boise Idaho  www.healthwise.org

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