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COOKING DEMO

COOKING DEMO

Cooking Demo 1 - Download Graphics to View  
COOKING DEMOS
 January is National Slow Cooker Month, so take advantage of the convenience and try this flavorful chicken dish. 		Cooking Demo 2 - Download Graphics to View  
French Toast Casserole
 What could be better than French toast? It’s French toast you make ahead, chill overnight, and bake the next morning.

CUSTOMER ALERT

CUSTOMER ALERT

Like-Farming Scams The Better Business Bureau warns Facebook users to watch out for like-farming scams, which are still going strong after many years. What is like-farming? It’s a technique in which scammers create an eye-catching post designed to generate many likes and shares.

Here are examples of typical like-farming posts:
  • “I bet this post does not get a million likes.” The subject may be a mistreated animal, an unfortunate child, or anything else that deserves our sympathy.
  • “90 percent of people fail this test.” Yet you can come up with the answer in less than 10 seconds.
  • “This is your chance to win an iPhone!” The prize could be any desirable and expensive item, but to win, you have to like and share.
  • “Combine the month you were born in and the last thing you bought to find your vixen name.” By participating, you reveal some of your personal data.
  • “Respond to this statement if you are a true friend. I think I know who will answer.” If you have “friends” that will unfriend you when you don’t participate — good riddance.
As with many scams, like-farming has different aims. When scammers ask you to “register” in order to win something or claim an offer, they’re after your personal information. Other versions can be more complex. When the scammer collects enough likes and shares, they may edit the post and add something malicious, such as a link to a website that downloads malware to your machine. Or once scammers reach their target number of likes, they can strip the page’s original content and use it to promote spammy products or resell the page on the black market.

To protect yourself, follow these tips:
  • Use your good judgement. If a post says you can win something just by sharing the post, it’s probably not true. If a post tugs at your heartstrings and isn’t about someone you know personally, be wary about the truthfulness of its contents.

  • Don’t like every post in your feed. Scammers are counting on getting as many mindless likes as possible, so be sure you only like posts and articles that are legitimate. Don’t help scammers spread their con.

  • Be cautious when it comes to sharing your personal information. Never give out personal information, such as your full name, telephone number, address, etc. to a person or company you don’t know or trust.

  • Update your web browser. Make sure you always have the latest version of your browser. That way, if you do accidentally click on a scammer’s post, your browser will be more likely to warn you about suspicious sites.
Remember, if you share worthless (and potentially harmful) like-farming posts, you also risk becoming an annoyance to your Facebook friends. So think before you click.

SITES OF THE MONTH

SITES OF THE MONTH

Online Journal  
Online Journal
 Is 2021 your year to start journaling? Penzu offers a free, private, and customizable way to record thoughts and activities.
Learn more… 		MedlinePlus  
MedlinePlus
 Get trusted health information on topics including diseases and symptoms, tests and treatments, and prescription drugs.
Learn more… 		AccuWeather  
AccuWeather
 Go here for interactive radar maps, current conditions, accurate forecasts, and severe weather watches and warnings.
Learn more…

MUST SEE VIDEOS

MUST SEE VIDEOS

Cool Video 1 - Download Graphics to View  
Dog Takes Itself Sledding
 We’re not the only ones who enjoy sledding. This dog pulls the sled up the hill and then joyfully slides back down. 		Cool Video 2 - Download Graphics to View  
Dancing Mailman
 Pandemic isolation is eased for a little girl when a kind mailman dances with her through the picture window.

TUTORIAL / FAQ

TUTORIAL / FAQ

Download Graphics to View Question: A Facebook friend invited me to join a Secret Sister Gift Exchange. It seems like it would be fun, but are there any issues I should be concerned about?

Answer: Sorry to be a Scrooge, but according to the Better Business Bureau, those Secret Sister Gift Exchanges are actually pyramid schemes, so don’t respond to your friend’s Facebook post!

The scheme starts with a convincing invitation, either by email or social media, to sign up for what seems like a great, fun program. All you must do is provide your name and address plus the personal information for a few additional friends, and add this information to a list that’s already started of people you’ve never met on the internet. Next, it’s your turn to send an email or social media invitation to send a modest gift to a stranger along with their friends, family, and contacts. The cycle continues and you’re left with buying and shipping gifts for unknown individuals, in hopes that the favor is reciprocated by receiving the promised number of gifts in return.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t happen. Just like any other pyramid scheme, it relies on the recruitment of individuals to keep the scam afloat. Once people stop participating in the gift exchange, the gift supply stops as well, and leaves hundreds of disappointed people without their promised gifts. It also leaves participants vulnerable to cyber thieves who could use the personal information in future scams.