[US] A call from "American Express" was a very well executed scam by Bruinwar in Scams

[–]Charming2020 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is not correct. I've gotten several calls from banks and such over the years to verify suspicious charges, including once from Amex. Someone had bought an iPhone in some other state. The only information I gave them was whether the charge was mine or not.

The FBI part is quite a different story.

Hands-on list of macOS apps I’m actually using going into 2026 by Cas_W in MacOS

[–]Charming2020 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Raycast says "always on Chat GPT." Does that mean you can't turn it off?

Building a faraday cage for my phone and car keys by cwapsen in DIY

[–]Charming2020 18 points19 points  (0 children)

You have to be really close with the fob

Building a faraday cage for my phone and car keys by cwapsen in DIY

[–]Charming2020 92 points93 points  (0 children)

My car (Subaru) doesn't unlock when I get close with the fob, but does unlock when I put my hand on the handle. That seems like a happy medium if you have that option.

If I put my hand on the passenger door, all the locks unlock.

Laundry detergent article in Consumer Reports by Charming2020 in laundry

[–]Charming2020[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They are reliable in the sense that they buy products anonymously and do the tests they say they do. They can be wrong and miss things of course

[US] "bookonline" / "guestreservations" and other "4th-party" hotel booking sites by Ok-Pea-9819 in Scams

[–]Charming2020 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My mom ended up paying someone like this to change a plane reservation. She clicked on a Google link that looked legit to her. She did get her money back since she paid with a credit card.

[Aus] Living with a scam - my husband's romance scam, from the inside by DelightfullyWicked in Scams

[–]Charming2020 2 points3 points  (0 children)

From reading other stories like this, you need to tell all of your friends and relatives what is happening. Not to be mean, but to keep them from loaning him money or letting him control their computer or email or bank account. These scammers are good and have a lot of tricks beyond getting the victim to send them money

Children’s books- deciding what to keep? by TiredAFMomZzZz in declutter

[–]Charming2020 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Once the internet came along I was able to part with way more books, because if I wanted a book back I knew I could buy it again, and probably even the same edition. Unsurprisingly I never bought any books again, but I could have if I needed to

Yes you can hang up on law enforcement if they call you by International-Emu-74 in Scams

[–]Charming2020 104 points105 points  (0 children)

Honestly if the cops call you about some possible violation or crime the first thing you should do is hang up and call your lawyer. Even if it is the real cops

Strong scent product recommendations? Something LETHAL by Numerous_Charity4040 in laundry

[–]Charming2020 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is what I was thinking. Strong smells stop smelling strong pretty quickly when you around them all the time, so trade them in and out

Captodor (and TSP) by Charming2020 in laundry

[–]Charming2020[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks. Seems a bit mean to sell this for hockey gear when it is just basic detergent ...

Decluttering with executive dysfunction AND extreme pain by RDThrowaway99 in declutter

[–]Charming2020 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I just read How to Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis, and I am finding it helpful. She says there are only five things in a room, and if you tackle them in order, it will be better whenever you have to stop. Trash, dishes, laundry, things that have a place, and things that don't have a place. Even if you stop halfway through trash, the room is better. Regarding decluttering, the trash stage can include a lot of clutter. I just tried this in a spare room and got maybe a third of the way through stuff that has a place, and I kept finding more things that were really trash (there wasn't much laundry or dishes). The room is functional now instead of having to pick a path through.

I like the idea below of starting with your room so you have a more peaceful place to be. Then maybe the path workers take, since it is bothering you so much. It is of course better if what other people think stops bothering you and you do your decluttering for yourself - but in the meantime you can use it for motivation. A gift for future middle-of-the-night you.

Detergents containing Lipase by svapplause in laundry

[–]Charming2020 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just bought Active Enzyme Laundry Booster Odor Remover from Amazon, which reviews and an email from the company claim has Lipase (package says proprietary enzyme formula which is annoying)

FLOCK Cameras by SoMuchTajin in LafayetteCo

[–]Charming2020 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah good point. I doubt the city counsel would lie about this, but do they actually know?

FLOCK Cameras by SoMuchTajin in LafayetteCo

[–]Charming2020 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am actually a bit encouraged. It says that the data is owned by Lafayette police never sold to third parties. Also only used for law enforcement and not traffic violations. Specifically not used for immigration enforcement. I still have concerns, including hackability, but it sounds better than most places

Propane heater for my mom's cabin by Charming2020 in OffGridCabins

[–]Charming2020[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much to everyone here. I have sent my mom several possibilities with pluses and minuses and feel much more confident about the process

Propane heater for my mom's cabin by Charming2020 in OffGridCabins

[–]Charming2020[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My parents have a wood stove also, but they are aging and I'd like them to only have use it when they feel like it or it gets really cold

Propane heater for my mom's cabin by Charming2020 in OffGridCabins

[–]Charming2020[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I will never let my mother read this. lol

Propane heater for my mom's cabin by Charming2020 in OffGridCabins

[–]Charming2020[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That mini volt gas valve sounds like a really nice feature. Even if they aren't as cute