Question: I get unsolicited calls from companies saying they can lower the rate on my credit card. I hang up. These are scams, right? Sometimes I wonder if I should be listening.
Answer: Yes, most are scams, and you are doing the right thing by hanging up immediately, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The agency says these calls fall into two general categories: outright cons by criminals trying to steal your credit card information and other personal details, and marketing pitches from companies that can’t do more to lower your interest rate than you could do yourself — without paying a fee. Either way, don’t fall for it.
The former is a long-standing scam that has taken a local twist recently, prompting a warning from the Hawaii Better Business Bureau. A con artist posing as a BBB employee called at least one Hawaii resident last month and tried to extract credit card information using this scam. The BBB doesn’t offer lower interest rates.
Q: I am looking for places to donate used eyeglasses. Do you know who accepts them?
A: Yes. Lions Clubs in Hawaii collect used prescription and nonprescription glasses and sunglasses and donate them to needy people throughout the world, including in Cambodia, Afghanistan and the Philippines. Children’s eyeglasses are especially needed. Find a list of collection sites at 808ne.ws/glassesdrop or email District 50 Executive Secretary Mervin Wee at mervwee@hawaii.rr.com for information.
Q: Why are they calling them speed “humps”? I’ve always heard “bumps” before.
A: The terms are not interchangeable, as each refers to distinct traffic-calming measures, according to the city. Speed bumps are up to 6 inches high and 3 feet wide and slow traffic to about 5 mph. Speed humps are shorter and wider — up to 4 inches high and 14 feet wide — and slow traffic to about 20 mph. Properly spaced speed humps keep traffic flowing at about the posted speed limit, which is why they are being installed on Hanakahi Street in Ewa Beach. The neighborhood board and others were concerned about the safety of children who have to cross that street to get to school. We assume that news of that ongoing construction project prompted your question.
Mahalo
This 84-year-old bicyclist would like to thank all the people at Market City Shopping Center who came to my aid at about 9:30 a.m. Oct. 29. I was taking my daily morning bicycle ride when I got a flat tire on Kapiolani Boulevard, near the center. I decided to call a cab for the 10-minute ride home, and left my bike at the Market City Foodland. While entering the cab, I bumped my head, enough to tear my scalp, although I did not realize that at the time. I had on my bike helmet, and under that a baseball cap. The cap has a button at the top, which acted as a pressure point to tear my scalp, unbeknownst to me. Once home, I got in my car and drove back to Foodland to pick up my bike. I was no longer wearing the helmet. A bystander in the parking lot noticed blood on the hat and told me my head was bleeding. Complicating the situation: I take a blood thinner that prevents clotting. So I needed a lot of help with the bleeding. About six bystanders, a security guard and ambulance medics came to my aid. I would like to thank them all: the person who told me I was bleeding; people who got paper napkins and helped apply pressure to my scalp; a bystander who brought me some water; the security person who told me not to worry about my car; the medics who helped put my bike in the car, helped with the bleeding and took me to Kuakini Medical Center. Once there, I received five stitches and the wound was bandaged. Thanks, everyone. I appreciate your help. — Herbert T.
Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
