ATM safety stressed
Dear Readers: It’s time to review some safety hints for when you visit an AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINE:
n Take note of your surroundings at all times, and use ATMs that are in well-lit areas.
n If using a drive-up ATM, have your card out and ready to use, and keep the engine running and the doors locked. Pull up to the ATM as close as possible. Keep your lights on at nighttime.
n Think of your ATM card as if it’s cash. Keep it in a secure place in your wallet, and NEVER write the personal identification number (PIN) on the card or on anything in your wallet or handbag, unless it’s in code.
Use your smarts and don’t become a victim! — Heloise
COPYRIGHT
OR WRONG
Dear Heloise: A reader wrote that one way to make copies of photos is to take pictures of them with your camera or cellphone and take them to a drugstore or discount store that has a photo department, and you can use the store’s equipment to make a copy.
Keep in mind that there are copyrights on pictures that have been taken by professional photographers, and many places will NOT allow you to make copies.
The large discount stores are especially particular about the copyright laws and, regardless of the age of the photo, will insist on a copyright waiver from the photo company, the family of the photographer or whatever in order for you to make a copy. — Dianne Bahn, Yankton, S.D.
Checking with a couple of large retailers with photo departments and a camera shop reveals that they have similar policies. They need written permission from the photographer to reproduce photographs that appear to be professionally shot or are clearly stamped with a copyright. Please read another comment below. — Heloise
PHOTO ID
Dear Heloise: Thanks for reminding your readers about the importance of identifying those family photos before it’s too late.
Another easy way to duplicate them is to use a good laser printer, such as at office-supply/copy centers. You can do it yourself for mere pennies, grouping several on one sheet of paper.
The trick is to use high-quality copy paper specifically for photos. You will save even more by printing them as black and white, but choosing the “color” function will give them a richer tonality.
This method is especially practical if you are planning to frame them; under glass, you can’t tell the copy from the original. I did this more than 10 years ago, and they still look perfect. — Michelle Braverman, via email
STAMPS FROM CHANGE
Dear Heloise: We save all our quarters and dimes, and when we get enough, we buy a book of stamps. We do this all year long. We use the stamps as needed and usually have a nice supply left for holiday cards. Bonus: Our grocery store appreciates the change. — Jill in Sandy, Utah
Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise(at)Heloise.com.
I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.