Many banks offer a service in which they will email, text or call whenever your debit or credit card has been used, even if it’s for legitimate charges.  The goal:  You know immediately if someone who shouldn’t be tapping your account is doing so.  You can set up the alerts for any amount.  For credit cards I rarely use, I’ve set alerts to zero; that way I’m notified about any activity.  I put higher dollar amounts on my high-use accounts so I don’t get bombarded.

How to start:  Simply go to your bank’s website or visit a branch to get set up.

Cutting the Cord Update by Dave Crowden
I am submitting this to the TVCUC because I have been asked numerous times about cutting-the-cord and what I think of the quality of some of the antennas found on-line through Amazon, NewEgg, or other electronic suppliers.

I know that we are all looking for the best yet cheapest to do the job; but I can assure you, just as the article below discusses, there is no need to spend a lot of money to get a good antenna for your over-the-air (OTA) TV reception here in Tellico Village.  The link below will take you to a recent on-line article from TechHive.

Feel free to contact me or any of the TVCUC members that have made the Cutting-the-Cord presentation in the past.  I hope this is some helpful information if you are considering cutting-the-cord and dumping satellite or cable TV subscription services.  Remember, this is only a small part of the research that we suggest you do to determine if cutting the cord is right for you!

Cord-cutters beware: Amazon’s TV antenna listings are rife with dubious claims
Shoppers shouldn’t take all the marketing promises vendors make at face value.

Early last week, during Amazon’s Prime Days, I decided to see if the e-tailer had any good deals on over-the-air TV antennas. I was appalled by what I found.

Searching for “antenna” on Amazon.com revealed listing upon listing for products with dubious performance claims. In Amazon’s most popular and sponsored results, antenna makers were advertising unrealistic reception ranges, nonexistent over-the-air channels, and picture quality that current U.S. broadcast standards don’t support.

These misleading claims aren’t just bad for cord-cutters. They also could harm respectable antenna makers that refuse to get in the muck with less scrupulous brands. Unless Amazon—or a government watchdog—intervene, this type of advertising is unlikely to stop anytime soon.  Further reading: The best over-the-air TV antennas for cord cutters

When I reached out to Amazon for a comment on my findings, an Amazon spokesperson said “Selling partners are required to provide accurate information about their products to Amazon, and we take action against those that violate our policies and threaten our customer experience. We are investigating these listings now and will take prompt action against any that violate our policies.”

Indeed, the company quickly removed many of the offending listings cited in this story prior to publication. Still, many other offenders remain available, promising unrealistic reception or unavailable channels.

Unrealistic mile ranges

In a search for “antenna” on Amazon, the top result early last week was a sponsored listing from a vendor called “TO BE #1.” It’s an indoor flat-panel antenna that claims to “pick up TV signals up to 120 miles away.”

If that sounds like an incredible range for an indoor antenna, it’s because it defies the accepted laws of physics.

Read the entire article…Here.