This is the February 14, 2003 edition of Keeping in Touch from SeniorS SuperStoreS.com.

Welcome to our new subscribers; and to our established subscribers of Keeping in Touch, a special Welcome Back. We're glad to see you again.

You are receiving this free newsletter because you subscribed to it or because someone thought you would enjoy it.

If you like the content of Keeping in Touch, please feel free to forward each copy on to as many folks as you wish. And, encourage your friends and family to visit with us at SeniorS SuperStoreS and sign up for their own subscriptions. Or, they may sign up for their own subscriptions by emailing us at "seniors-request@seniorssuperstores.com" and include the word "join" in the body of the email message.

This issue of Keeping in Touch deals with several matters of interest to Prime Time Surfers:

1.) A Valentine's Day story: Be careful with that personal cell phone!

2.) Don't be deceived by this "Consumer Protection Agency"

3.) New treatment for peripheral neuropathy

4.) Are you job-seeking?

5.) An attorney's identity theft horror story

6.) Telephone equipment for the hearing (and sight) impaired

7.) Your subscription details

1.) A Valentine's Day Story: Be careful with that personal cell phone!

Several men are in the locker room of a golf club on Valentine's Day. When a cell phone on a bench rings, a man engages the hands-free speaker-function and begins to talk.

MAN: "Hello"
WOMAN: "Honey, it’s me. Are you at the club?"
MAN: "Yes."

WOMAN: "I am at the mall and found a beautiful leather coat. It’s $1,000. Can I buy it?"
MAN: "OK, go ahead if you like it that much."

WOMAN: "I also stopped by the Mercedes dealership and saw the 2002 models. I saw one I really liked."
MAN: "How much?"
WOMAN: "$60,000."
MAN: "For that price I want it with all the options."

WOMAN: "Great!" One more thing.... The house we wanted last year is back on the market. They’re asking only $450,000."
MAN: "Well, then go ahead and buy it, but just offer $420,000."

WOMAN: "OK. I’ll see you later! I love you!"
MAN: "Bye, I love you too."

The man hangs up. The other men are looking at him in astonishment. Then he asks: "Anyone know who this phone belongs to?"

2.) Don't Be Deceived by this "Consumer Protection Agency"

(We received this alert from the Better Business Bureau, with the request that we make our visitors, readers and customers aware of a new problem.)

When is a Consumer Protection Agency NOT a Consumer Protection Agency?

On January 17, 2003, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) system issued an international alert to advise consumers not to be misled by a web site that is masquerading as a consumer protection agency. The site, www.consumerprotectionagency.us, offers, for a fee, to file a consumer's complaint with the BBB and various government agencies.

In truth, the site is a business, and it is not affiliated with the BBB. The site includes a form to file a complaint and pay $4.95 by credit card.

"There is no need for consumers to use third parties or to pay a fee in order to file a complaint with the BBB," said Ken Hunter, president and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus.

Complaints can be mailed directly to BBBs for the price of a postage stamp. Or, anyone can file a complaint online with the BBB, for free, by visiting www.bbb.org and clicking on "File a Complaint."

In addition to the BBB, the consumerprotectionagency.us site indicates it will file complaints with the State Attorney General's office, the Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs (a government office that was closed several years ago).

BBBs in California, Florida, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Ohio, Texas, Virginia, Washington and other states are fielding inquiries from consumers about the site. Several Bureaus have received packets of complaints filed through this site. The complaints arrive in unmarked packages with no return address or postmark. It appears that this business is attracting the attention of consumers through sponsored links on major search engines. When consumers search by key words, like "Better Business Bureau" or "consumer protection", links to the consumerprotectionagency.us web site appear.

The site is registered to Online Application Corp., Forest Hills, NY. The BBB of Metropolitan New York reports that Online Application Corp. is one of several services of "Taxes by CPA", a firm that has an unsatisfactory record with the BBB. Consumers may wish to review the BBB reliability report on the business, which is available through the Bureau Information System (http://search.bbb.org/search.html). The company has been the subject of 43 complaints in the Bureau's three-year reporting period, and although the company has answered the complaints, customers are not always satisfied.

Any complaints about consumerprotectionagency.us may be reported to the BBB using the online complaint form at www.bbb.org, or to the Federal Trade Commission (via its web site at www.ftc.gov or phoning toll-free 1-877-382-4357).

3.) New Treatment for Peripheral Neuropathy

What is peripheral neuropathy? Peripheral Neuropathy is a nerve condition that affects the arms, hands, legs, and feet. The most common form of peripheral neuropathy is due to diabetes.

People with diabetes have an abnormal elevation of their blood sugar and lack adequate insulin to metabolize the blood sugar. As a consequence, the blood glucose (sugar) abnormally enters certain nerve tissue and damages the nerve. This can occur in any type of diabetes. It does not matter if the patient is on insulin, is taking pills, or is diet controlled. The nerve damage that occurs is considered to be permanent.

As the nerve damage occurs, the protective sensations are affected. These include a person’s ability to determine the difference between sharp and dull, hot and cold, pressure differences, and vibration. These senses become dulled and/or altered. The process begins as a burning sensation in the toes and progresses up the foot in a "stocking distribution". As the condition progresses, the feet become more and more numb. Some people will feel as though a pair of socks on their feet, when in fact they do not. Other patients will describe the feeling of walking on cotton, or a water-filled cushion. Some patients complain of their feet burn at night, making it difficult to sleep. The feet may also feel like they are cold, however, to the touch, they have normal skin temperature. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is not reversible. The progression of the condition can be slowed or halted by maintaining normal blood glucose levels.

As patients develop diabetic neuropathy, they have a greater risk of developing skin ulcerations and infections. Areas of corns and calluses on the feet represent areas of excessive friction or pressure. These areas, if not properly cared for by a foot specialist, will often break down and cause ulcerations. Ulcerations and infection can form under the calloused area. These calloused areas may not be painful. As a result, they can progress to ulceration without being noticed. Ingrown toenails can progress to severe infections in people with neuropathy. Simple things like trimming the toenails present a risk to these patients because they may accidentally cut the skin and not feel it. People with neuropathy must be very cautious and inspect their feet daily.

Final progression leads to amputations. What is needed for treatment is a way to stimulate the venus muscle pump, cause the nerves to regenerate, reduce pain and numbness and regain normal sensation. The ReBuilder accomplishes that in the privacy of the patient's own home.

Through a special arrangement, we present you a new and revolutionary, home care medical system that can arrest the progress of your neuropathy and actually reverse it in most cases....all without expensive drugs, surgery, or painful therapy.

The Rejuvenator is a simple device that delivers an electrical signal to your feet via a warm water foot bath. You receive instant, total pain relief while your feet are in the footbath. Pain and discomfort are reduced by 50% for 4 to 6 hours, and residual pain relief accumulates each time you use the system. Get a full night's restful sleep when you use it at night. Improved circulation results in stronger leg muscles, protection against infections, and a re-growth of nerve cells. You get better balance because you can feel your feet again when you walk. And, your quality of life is enhanced because of increased mobility and a reduction the need for pain medication.

The Rejuvenator is your solution for peripheral neuropathy caused by diabetes and various circulation problems, also vascular insufficiency, idiopathic neuropathy, leg swelling and edema, intermittent claudication, muscular atrophy, restless leg syndrome, numbness, skin ulcers, leg and foot pain.

Medicare or your insurance cover the cost when you buy the Rejuvenator Peripheral Neuropathy home treatment system with a physician's prescription for the many problems the treatment is designed to treat.

Discover the remarkable Rejuvenator, as well as other products designed to provide foot relief to sufferers of peripheral neuropathy, by going to ourPeripheral Neuropathy Treatment department.

4.) Are You Job-Seeking?

Are you a Senior Citizen who, for economic or lifestyle reasons, wants to re-enter the work force? Do you feel somewhat intimidated by the process? Do you know how to compile and present your resume? Do you wish you had some guidance and encouragement? If these concerns apply to you, we have some help for you.

We were provided a list of interviewing tips for the older job-seeking population by an expert in the field. We have published the article she sent us in the Financial Resources of our Community Room, and you may read it at OVER 50 JOB SEEKERS.

5.) An Attorney's Identity Theft Horror Story

Measures to take to prevent identify fraud

A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company. It was sent to us, and we are pleased to pass it along, for your information and financial security.

We’ve all heard horror stories about fraud that’s committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards, etc. Unfortunately I, an attorney, have firsthand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieve(s) ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information online, and more.

While this occurred only a month ago, I have spent countless hours already, and I know many more to come in the future, to get all of this straightened out. I face numerous letters and phone calls to prove my "innocence". It's strange how the victims of this sort of thing are left with all of the burden. If only I had known some of these precautions beforehand!

But here’s some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know. We have been told we should cancel your credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them easily. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where it was stolen, this proves to credit providers you were diligent, and it is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).

But here’s what is perhaps most important: (I never even thought to do this). Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.

By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done. There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves’ purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away this weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them in their tracks.

The numbers are:

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Experian (formerly TRW): 1.888-397-3742
Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271

We conclude with some additional measures to take to prevent identify fraud:

* The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your check book they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name but your bank will know how you sign your checks.

* Put your work phone numbers on your checks instead of your home phone.

* If you have a P.0. Box use that instead of your home address; if you do not have a P.0. Box use your work address.

* Never have your Social Security number printed on your checks -- you can add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.

* Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine; copy both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet to cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place.

* Finally, keep the list of credit card numbers and their related toll-free numbers to call in the event of a theft emergency, along with the photocopy of your wallet contents, in a secure, but handy location. But what if you're away from home or office? What if you are traveling? Give a copy of this information to a trusted family member whom you can call to retrieve everything, if you need to do so in a rush.

6.) Telephone Equipment for the Hearing (and Sight) Impaired

We have, since the founding of our online store, featured a few products to assist the hearing impaired with telephone activities. For the most part, those products have amplified the ringing and conversation features of phones.

Now, we are proud to say that we have found a new source which has allowed us to feature a much more expanded line of telephone communication equipment. We continue to feature the ever-popular Large Button "Photo" Telephone, but we also now feature a new amplified cordless phone, an emergency response and amplified telephone to summon help when needed, an amplified answering machine, and even a braille-equipped phone that calls out the numbers as the sight-impaired makes a call. All of these quality products feature enlarged buttons and lighted ringers.

Check them out for yourself, for a gift for that someone special in need, or to refer a friend in our Phones & Pagers department.

7.) Your Subscription Details

You are receiving this free newsletter because you subscribed to it or because someone thought you would enjoy it.

If you like the content of Keeping in Touch, please feel free to forward each copy on to as many folks as you wish. And, encourage your friends and family to visit with us at SeniorS SuperStoreS and sign up for their own subscriptions. Or, they may sign up for their own subscriptions by emailing us at "seniors-request@seniorssuperstores.com" and include the word "join" in the body of the email message.

So, until next time, here's goodbye. Remember, if you want us to add any resources or items of interest, just drop us an email from the SeniorSSuperStoreS Contact Us page. Watch your email box for future newsletters!

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Until next time, happy Prime Time Surfing!