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Back Promises of Change
Chapters (53)
  1. Cover
  2. Everyone loves the ladies of Covington!
  3. Also by Joan Medlicott
  4. Title Page
  5. Copyright
  6. Dedication
  7. Acknowledgments
  8. 1
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  10. 3
  11. 4
  12. 5
  13. 6
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  53. Discussion Questions

She returned to the table and picked up a single sheet of paper with a list typed in large, very dark print, which she held high. “Here’s a list of scams to watch out for. I’ll pass them out, and I will leave more of this information with your pastor.

“There are people offering lower-interest-rate mortgages and schemes for consolidating your debts. Watch for them, especially in January, and don’t say yes to any of them. If you need a loan, go to a bank. And watch out for people offering you what is known as reverse mortgages. That’s where, if you’ve paid off your home, you can collect a monthly payment against the appraised price of that home. You could end up without a home or income. For some reason, the month of May seems to bring out that type of scammer. If you think you need one, be sure you discuss a reverse mortgage with your bank or the bank of someone you know and trust.” She waved the paper.

“On the sheet that the good pastor was kind enough to hand out for me, there is a list of do’s and don’ts. It’s very important that you do not give your Social Security, credit card, or bank account numbers, your mother’s maiden name, or your date of birth to anyone unless you know the person or institution asking for it, and there is a legitimate reason why they need that information.

“Once a scammer has your Social Security number, for example, he or she can open a bank account, take out a loan, and much more in your name, and it will take a very long time to get it all straightened out, plus the aggravation, which you do not need.”

She handed Denny another stack of pages, at the top of which was the phone number for the Do Not Call Registry, 888-382-1222, and the Web site www.donotcall.gov if anyone preferred to use the Internet.

“Just phone and tell them you want to be on the do-not-call list. It’s that simple. And I urge you not to wait, but to get on that list as soon as possible. Are there any questions?”

Many people spoke up, women especially, saying that they considered it impolite not to open the door when someone came to call.