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CUSTOMER ALERT

CUSTOMER ALERT

Stay Alert – How Criminals Try to Steal Life Savings

Watch Out For Charity Scams According to the FTC, people are losing big money to criminals running complicated scams. Here’s how it works: A scammer pretending to be from a company you know contacts you, saying they supposedly spotted fraud on one of your accounts and your money isn’t safe. They connect you with someone else to supposedly help you move your money to “protect” it. The “helper,” who often claims to work for the government, is really a scammer trying to steal your money.

If someone tells you to do any of these things, IT’S A SCAM:
  • Put your money in a secure account to protect it.
  • Transfer your money to a cryptocurrency account to protect it.
  • Get cash and I’ll send a driver to pick it up.
  • Deposit cash at a Bitcoin ATM to protect your money.
  • Buy gold and a driver will come get it.
No one from the government will tell you to do these things — only a scammer will. Never transfer or send money, cryptocurrency, cash, or gold to someone you don’t know in response to an unexpected call or message.

To learn more, visit this link.

CUSTOMER ALERT

CUSTOMER ALERT

Stay Alert – Watch Out for Fake Online Stores

Watch Out For Charity Scams Scammers create websites that look like popular online stores and may offer great deals on popular items in short supply. Once you pay, they’ll either never send you the item, or send you an inferior fake.

One red flag is if an online store does not provide adequate information about privacy, terms and conditions of use, dispute resolution, or contact details. Another red flag is if the seller does not allow payment through a secure payment service such as PayPal or a credit card transaction.

The FTC recommends you take these steps to protect yourself:
  • Check out the company before you buy. Search online for the company’s name along with words like “scam” or “fraud” to see what issues others might have had.

  • Pay by credit card. If you’re charged twice, billed for something you never got, or get a wrong or damaged item, you can dispute the charge with your credit card company.

  • Keep records. Keep track of the company’s name and website, any receipts or bank statements showing what you paid, and when they said they’d ship your item. (Sellers have to ship your order by the time they or their ads say they will — or give you the chance to get your money back.)
If an online seller hasn’t lived up to its promises, report it to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Streaming: Live or On Demand?

Streaming: Live or On Demand?

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You can stream TV live or on demand. Either way, the video you’re watching is transmitted over your internet connection while you watch it. In other words, it is streaming.

That’s what live and on-demand streaming have in common. But what makes them different?

Basically, on-demand streaming lets you watch individual TV series and movies whenever you want, while live TV works more like cable or satellite by offering local broadcast networks and other live programming.

Think of an on-demand streaming service as a large library of videos you can browse and watch when you want. These services tend to have more movies and older shows, plus exclusive originals produced by the streaming provider. Examples include Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Max.

On the other hand, live streaming feels more like traditional TV with news, sports, current shows, and broadcast networks. You tune in to watch a show when it’s scheduled in the TV guide. Live streaming can be a good cable TV replacement. Examples include YouTube TV, Hulu+Live, and DirecTV via Internet.

Whether live or on-demand streaming is a better fit for you depends on your watching preferences. Since streaming is flexible, you can pick, combine, or switch your services easily. When you stream, you choose!

What You Can Watch

If sports, news, and local channels are important to you, consider a live streaming service. Most live streaming providers will have at least some access to live sports, including local sports channels, plus your local news networks.

However, if you’re a movie buff who wants your home to feel like the cinema, on-demand streaming is where you’ll find a greater variety of films. Many video streaming services offer a large library and high-quality audio and visuals.

Both live and on-demand streaming services carry television series, but their availability will differ. Current shows aired by networks like CBS or ABC are usually aired first on live television, then moved to on-demand streaming. But on-demand providers also have their own exclusive shows (and movies) you can only watch on their platforms.

When You Can Watch

Most live streaming services offer unlimited cloud digital video recording (DVR) so you can record live programming to watch later. On-demand streaming is available any time, so there’s no need for a DVR.

Let SRT Help

SRT can walk you through and help you find exactly what you want based on your preferences. We can also offer you a free in-home setup of the TV streaming service you’d like. We’d do all the work and all you have to do is enjoy watching your favorites.

To get started, click Find Your Streaming Service with SRT Communications or call us at 701-858-1200 for a free streaming checkup.

NEXT UP: We’ll talk more about how to choose your streaming services in our next streaming blog post.

What Do I Need to Stream?

What Do I Need to Stream?

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Streaming is designed to be portable and flexible so you can watch exactly what you want, when you want. You only need three things to start streaming your favorite movies, shows, and sports, and you might already have one or two of them.

First, get a high-speed internet connection. You need a home internet connection before you can stream, which you likely already have. But make sure your speed is fast enough to ensure smooth streaming. You’ll want to consider a few things about your home, such as how many people are in your household and how many devices you have online at one time. Keep in mind that if everyone in your home is streaming, you might need a faster Internet connection. SRT has high-speed fiber packages to fit your budget and lifestyle, and we can help you determine the best speed for you.

Next, pick a device to stream on such as a Roku, or a smart TV. Most new TVs are smart and streaming-ready, so you might already have streaming apps built-in. But you don’t have to buy a new TV if your current set isn’t “smart.” You can use a device like a Roku, Amazon Fire TV, or Apple TV to connect to your TV and access streaming apps. These devices are relatively inexpensive and are a one-time cost rather than a monthly rental fee. Another option is to use a game console. PlayStation and Xbox, for example, can also function as streaming devices.

Finally, select your streaming services that offer what you want to watch. Services include on-demand options such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, or Max (formerly HBO Max). You also have live stream options such as HULU + Live TV, YouTube TV, or DirectTV Stream, that function more like traditional cable but with more options like searching, creating your own watch list, and sorting your channel lineup. More to come on the difference between live and on-demand streaming in our next blog post.

Remember, you don’t have to purchase TV and internet from the same provider. Streaming lets you start with your Internet connection and then select the streaming you want. There is no need for a traditional TV package that locks you into a bunch of channels you don’t watch. You have more control!

SRT can walk you through your options and help you get exactly what you want based on your preferences. We can also offer you a free in-home setup of the TV streaming service you’d like. We’d do all the work and all you have to do is enjoy watching your favorite programming.

To get started, click Find Your Streaming Service with SRT Communications or call us at 701-858-1200 for a free streaming checkup.

NEXT UP: We’ll talk more about live vs. on-demand streaming.

Benefits of Streaming

Benefits of Streaming

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You can drop the set top box and oversized TV package next time you settle in to watch your favorite show. Streaming through your TV offers a great experience without the hassles of traditional cable.

In the past few years streaming has become more and more popular. The latest research shows that 56 million (46%) of U.S. households with internet are “cord cutters” who have left traditional cable, which points to the popularity of streaming video services. In addition, 12% of U.S. households with internet are “cord nevers” who have never subscribed to any sort of traditional pay TV.

But why?

Streaming offers more choice: No more being forced into a pre-determined channel package filled with many you don’t even watch. With streaming, you can choose the services that offer the channels and programs you actually want to watch! In addition to live TV, you can access low-cost or free services that offer movies, shows, and documentaries that match your interests. Plus, you can record programming in your own personalized library to watch later, and access movies and shows on demand (when you want).

Streaming is portable: Stream whatever you want, whenever you want. You can take streaming with you instead of being tied to your living room. Feel free to watch on your TV, but you can also stream from your computer, smartphone, tablet, or gaming console, giving you the freedom to watch on the go or curled up on the couch.

Streaming is flexible: Streaming offers variety, including live sports and news, without the need for a long-term commitment. The vast majority of streaming services have no contracts. You can sign up for one month and cancel the next if you don’t like it anymore, if your favorite show ends, or if something new comes along. If you watch less TV in the summer, you can drop the service and pick it back up in the winter.

Streaming is simple: You can leave behind the set-top box and equipment rental fees. All you need is your Internet connection and a simple device (which we’ll review in our next streaming blog post) to enjoy all your favorite programming, live or on demand. Streaming devices are relatively cheap and you don’t have to pay the cable company every month to rent one!

In short, while traditional TV offers restrictions, streaming offers freedom and control. You can enjoy the same programming and channels you’re used to without equipment rentals, a bunch of channels you don’t watch (but do pay for), and the limitation of only at home.

SRT can walk you through your options and help you get exactly what you want based on your preferences. We can also offer you a free in-home setup of the TV streaming service you’d like. We’d do all the work and all you have to do is enjoy watching your favorite programming.

To get started, click Find Your Streaming Service with SRT Communications or call us at 701-858-1200 for a free streaming checkup.

NEXT UP: We’ll explain how to stream in our next streaming blog post.