What has the world come to?

As if telemarketing scams alone aren't bad enough, I just found out that you can have people steal money from you by simply answering your phone and saying "Hello".

If you get any calls from "telemarketers" (they aren't even legal, because they don't adhere to the Do Not Call List like legit ones do) to either lower your credit cards OR extend your auto warranty it is these same criminals.
Here is a website that shows the experiences that others have had just within minutes of my own phone call from the latest number (they change their number, but it is usually out of Florida): 772-664-4005

I have been reporting these people to the FTC, and even spoke with one of the "reps" for this scam both yesterday and today. I told each of them I was reporting them to the FTC. In the past I have been hung up on when I questioned what the name of their company was, or which of my credit cards this call was in reference to.

I stumbled upon this website today (view it Here), claiming they can steal money from you if you merely answer your phone. I went ahead and called Hickory Tech (our local phone company) and they confirmed that by picking up the phone these people are able to put a charge on your phone bill for some sort of "service". She said if we ever see any of those charges she can have them removed, but that we have to call some number to have the "service" stopped so they don't continue to bill us.
Ok, I'm sorry, but WHAT THE HELL PEOPLE? How in the heck is it that the phone company and law enforcement can't stop someone from stealing money from you when you merely pick up your phone? What do people without caller ID do? Every time they answer their phone they risk being robbed repeatedly?
What really makes me irate is that when my brother calls from overseas, his calls are usually patched through a satellite and come up on my caller ID as a Florida or California number. So, if I never answer a number I don't know, I will never be able to take his calls? I'm lucky if I get to speak with him once every three months as it is.

I am begging you, PLEASE REPORT ANY CALLS you get from these slimebags to the FTC. Here is the FTC complaint form for exactly this kind of problem: FTC Complain Form

The phone company told me there is nothing I can do to protect myself from this. It apparently shows up on the phone bill as a long distance charge, but we don't have long distance on our home phone even - and putting a "block" on our account still won't help prevent someone from charging us.

If the phone company KNOWS this is an illegal operation, then why are they collecting money for these people? Why aren't they working with law enforcement, the FTC, the FBI, ANYONE to help catch these people (or at least prevent them from making any profit)?
Yeah, they had no answer for me, except to keep an eye on my bill for weird charges. I find it hard to believe that there is no way to avoid having people robbed just by picking up their phones. What if their answering machine or voicemail picks up? It's almost unavoidable.

If anyone has any better or further ideas (beyond reporting them to the FTC), I welcome them gladly. I will no longer answer any calls from Florida (guess I will just have to wait for emails from my brother), and should probably turn off my answering machine so I don't get robbed while I'm not home.
By the way, looks like a lot of cell phones are getting this same call.

Check your phone bills. I have heard that people have had their credit cards and stuff dipped into as well by these people (not sure how, if you aren't giving them any info but...). Watch ALL your statements, apparently nothing is safe anymore. Sad sad sad. :(

A few more photos and April updates

Things are going well for our little family. Ben is chugging along on his final paper and plans to have his Master's finished this fall. He was hoping to complete it yet this spring, but got promoted to Supervisor at work, so he's been busier than expected. I think he's itching to start mowing season already. He really enjoys getting out in the fresh air. He has been taking Colt out for lots of walks and is spending as much time as possible outside between after work and dark.

Maddie is doing well, still working hard in school and wading through teenage angst. We got an Xbox 360 so she and Ben have been playing Halo 3 when they get spare time. I think she's itching to have some garden booty as bad as I am. Harvest time is still so far away, but at least we are done with winter. She seems to have a natural green thumb, which I think is a blessing in life. She got highlights in her hair for her birthday and is still pleased with them. It was her best friend's birthday sleepover this past weekend as well, so she got to hang out and go swimming with a gaggle of crazy teenage girls. She and her friend from Mankato are still very close and keep in contact. I'm impressed with how well they maintain their relationship. I know adults that stop working in the same cubicle that can't manage to stay in touch (I admit to being guilty of that very crime). I'm glad that both Maddie and Jessica (her friend) have the maturity to value their friendship and realize that it takes work to remain close. She is looking forward to summer break, but I am concerned she is going to get bored. I guess since the baby will be coming not too long after school lets out things shouldn't be too boring here right away anyway.

Reese is growing at an incredible rate. He seemed to learn to talk in just a week or two. He is now fully capable of sharing his every opinion with you all the time. Yes, it's as fun as it sounds sometimes. A lot of sarcasm there. But seriously, it's fun to be wowed by him on a daily basis right now. He apparently understands a lot more than we realize, and surprises us with his comments and responses. It is nice to be able to get an answer when I need to know what he wants to drink, and though he doesn't speak very clearly yet, it's nice to have a better shot at finding out the source of a meltdown.

Things are still going well with baby and I. I am grateful for such an uneventful pregnancy this time and really enjoy that I have been able to remain so active. I actually went to the Mall of America with a friend this past Friday and did about seven hours of walking. It's reassuring to know I'm in good enough shape with this baby to do that and have nothing more than sore feet when it's all said and done. I'm just over 30 weeks along now, so the end is in sight. Even though this pregnancy has been an easy one, we are still very anxious to meet our new family member (and to find out if the kids are getting a baby brother or sister).

I have uploaded a few photos here. Have a nice shot of Maddie playing with baby toys. It was so nice and warm earlier today that my son insisted on being "nude". Our version of letting him go nude still includes a diaper - can anyone fault me for that? One day I let him run around in his diaper like that, and when I looked over at him there he stood, diaper in hand and shocked look on his face. Those are the moments when you look at your child and just can't help but laugh. They give us those moments as a thank for you for all the tantrums and headaches they put us through.

He really enjoys stomping on the rocks in the landscaping around the house. He was able to practice this craft after lunch today. As you can see, we shaved most of his hair off this weekend too. He didn't like it at all, but it had to be done. I was ready to buy stock in the baby shampoo company.

That's pretty much all I know right now. Enjoy the warm weather and take care everyone!

Kelly's New House

We saw Kelly's new house all finished this past weekend. We documented the event (most unprofessionally).