DEAR SUN SPOTS: In one week recently I received two phone calls. The first said they had a package containing a check for $2,700 made out to me. It boiled down that I had to pay a small insurance payment to get it.

The second call was from a woman with a heavy accent, who said the government has chosen me to receive $7,000 that I don’t have to pay back. I hung up on both calls.

I would like to know if any of your readers have received phone calls like I have. — Maureen via email

ANSWER: Sun Spots can’t speak for her readers, but the “$7,000 grant” scam has been in the news lately with warnings not to send money to receive it. The whole point of a grant is that it is free.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I saw the July 10 letter from David Bergeron warning others that calls were coming to people informing them their computers were infected and telling them they needed to give the person calling access to their computer. Once they were in they would infect the computer completely and ask for your credit card number, etc., to fix it.

Believe it or not, at 1:30 p.m. the same day we got a call from a person with an accent, who said our Windows was infected and wanted to fix it for us. My husband received the phone call and proceeded to answer questions and turn on the computer.

At the same time my grandson and I were telling him to hang up the phone. He did eventually hang up before too many steps were taken on the computer, and it appears we are OK at this time.

Thank you so much for your column. Meanwhile I let the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office know about this call, including the name and phone number as I have caller ID.

Perhaps elderly people should also be informed about caller ID to help protect them from hopefully most of these fraudulent type calls. — M. Spooner via email

ANSWER: Sun Spots doesn’t think caller ID will help now. Too many crooks have learned to mask their location, even going so far as to use local phone numbers or even the resident’s own number.

Sun Spots thinks that one reason scammers have so much luck getting people to cooperate is that they are act like they know you and persist no matter what you say. Some are downright bossy.

Sun Spots’ mother used to get the calls from the fraudsters who pretend to be a grandchild in distress. Mom told them she didn’t have any grandchildren (the truth). The guy would change his story and say he was a nephew or grandnephew.

One time when Sun Spots answered the phone, the guy kept trying different names to get her to give the phone to Mom. First he was David, then Christopher, then Michael. Sun Spots was curious as to how long he would keep trying. He did not give up or hang up.

Readers, if you are in doubt about any call, please hang up. Legit callers will try again.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Recently at a yard sale behind Sacred Heart Church, I met a young gentleman who had attended the sale with his father. He gave me his phone number so that I could contact him with free computers (older, but working).

The young gentleman said he likes to work on them as a hobby; but somehow in the course of the busy day, I lost his phone number. If he sees this, or if anyone else is interested in free computers to work on, please contact me at 689-3941.

Or, do you know of any organizations who might like them. I am trying to help an elderly gentleman downsize and he would like to find a home for them. Thank you. — Rita via email

ANSWER: Sun Spots does not have anyone in her Rolodex who wants old computers. Please write if you’d like to change that.

It is her experience that old computers have very little value. Not only does technology change rapidly, but it seems as though many computers (especially laptops) are made to die after a couple of years. 

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m looking for an old type wireless router with removable antenna. If anyone has one of these they are no longer using or knows where I might locate one, please let me know. 

The current wireless routers for sale in the stores have built-in antennas. I’m looking for one with a detachable antenna that screws off the router, so you can replace it with another, more powerful antenna. 

I’m willing to pay a reasonable price.  Thanks for your help. — Sherry, 207-242-8821, sherrymaillady@gmail.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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