DEAR SUN SPOTS: Would you happen to have a way to connect with a real person at Xbox live? I have questions about charges on my bank statement that I have not made. Any phone numbers I have been given are a recording asking for a membership number. I don’t have an account. Thank you. — Pam via email

ANSWER: Do not wait to contact Xbox! Call your bank right away. Anytime you see charges on a bank or credit card statement from a business that you don’t patronize, you should take immediate action to make sure that you have not become a victim of fraud or identity theft.

If the charge is on a credit card, you can dispute the charges. The bank will reverse those charges while they research them. If they find the charges are invalid, they will take them off your bill permanently. If you are found to be responsible (say your child put those charges on your card without your knowledge), they will put them back on your bill.

If the charges were made to your checking or other bank account through a debit card, the bank will not reverse those charges. But they can close your account or debit card and issue new cards to put an end to future charges.

Only after you have done this should you worry about contacting Xbox.

Almost all business phones are now answered by interactive voice response systems, but there are usually people behind those phones — if you persist. Sometimes you can get through just by waiting until the system realizes you are not responding. Sometimes hitting “zero” repeatedly will work.

Sun Spots found the following numbers online (she is not guaranteeing they will work): 800-469-9269, 425-635-7180 and 877-274-4349. Good luck.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am wondering if you can find out if and where Judge Joe Brown is on television since Channel 13 replaced his show with Queen Latifah. Thank you for all you do. I read your column every day. Thank you. — June, Canton

ANSWER: Brown’s show was canceled early in 2013. The following appeared on the Huffington Post on Aug. 27 (http://tinyurl.com/qz2fqhc):

“This week a clip surfaced online featuring the 66-year-old Daytime Emmy nominee in a highly intoxicated state interacting with fans. The clip, which takes place somewhere in California, shows Brown going on a rant in which he slams his former gig.”

The slamming included words not suited for a family newspaper. But there’s a video at the link above if readers want to check it out.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am a senior at St. Dominic Academy and am raising funds for the annual Mission to Mississippi trip this spring to serve in Mound Bayou, Miss., one of the poorest places in the United States.

A month or so ago my letter was published stating that I was looking for anyone willing to donate bottles and cans, as the trip requires a lot of fundraising, and I am still looking to collect them.

I am able to pick up bottles, and I also have an account for bottles at Roopers on Sabattus Street in Lewiston. You can donate the bottles or cans you have directly to the account I have set up at Roopers, referencing the name “Mission to Mississippi Therriault” when you drop them off.

If you need them picked up, I can be reached at 207-933-3511 or tom.therriault13@gmail.com.

I have gotten a great response and would like to thank to the readers for their support! — Thomas Therriault

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Our book club is looking for new members to join us once a month at the Lewiston Public Library. We meet on the second Tuesday of every month at 10 a.m. in the Couture Room.

We will be discussing “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls on Jan. 14. Our book for our Feb. 11 meeting will be “The Way Life Should Be” by Christina Baker Kline.

We are interested in many different types of books and authors and are looking forward to new suggestions! — skeay@mail.com

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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