NO SMOKING BBB WARNS in Boston’S Public Parks Consumers on Target Scammers by Sal Giarratani Scammers Are Taking Ad- Sages and Phone Calls
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VOL. 118 - NO. 4 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, JANUARY 24, 2014 $.30 A COPY NO SMOKING BBB WARNS in Boston’s Public Parks Consumers on Target Scammers by Sal Giarratani Scammers are taking ad- sages and phone calls. In ogy to make emails and vantage of the data breach another version, scammers phone calls appear to come for individual freedom and that compromised Target call and claim to represent from a reputable source. economic liberty. Our fore- customers’ credit and debit Target. They ask consum- Just because it looks cred- fathers knew that govern- card information. Watch for ers to “verify” their name, ible does not mean it’s safe. ment existed to protect us con artists using this highly address, social security and • Be wary of unexpected and not protect us from our- public event to fool consum- other information to suppos- emails that contain links selves. When tea was ers into sharing their credit edly check whether it was or attachments. As always, dumped into Boston Harbor card and/or personal infor- comprised in the breach. do not click on links or open in 1773, it wasn’t just to pro- mation. Whatever the guise, the the files in unfamiliar test taxes on tea but to en- How the Scam Works: You scammers are always after emails. sure our economic liberty receive a text message, your credit card number or • Watch for bad grammar. was ours to keep. Most colo- which claims to be from your other personal information. Typo-filled text messages nists loved their tea, but credit card company. It says How to Spot This Scam: and emails are usually a when taxed to an extreme your card has been blocked The best way to protect your- dead giveaway that it’s from to make government more in response to fraudulent self is to identify the warn- a scammer, not a corpora- powerful, it slid over into tyr- activity following the recent ing signs: tion. anny for tea lovers and even data breach. The message • Check Target’s website. For More Information. For tea haters. asks you to call a phone Given the number of scams more advice on dealing with “Taxation without Repre- number to verify your ac- surrounding the data the data breach, read BBB’s Boston was once called the sentation’ wasn’t just a good count information. Of breach, Target has posted all suggestions for Target cus- “Cradle of Liberty.’ Back dur- line to use. Recently last course, the text message is their official communica- tomers. Also, see Target’s ing the Bicentennial Cel- summer Beacon Hill tried just a con to get you to share tions at Target.com/payment- website for updates and an- ebrations (1975-76), Boston’s to make the gas tax auto- th your card number and other cardresponse. Check any swers to common questions. motto for the nation’s 200 matically tied to inflation. info. emails or texts you receive For more information birthday was, “Where it All Thousands upon thousands As usual, this scam has claiming to be from Target about scams, see BBB Scam Began.” Where what began? signed petitions to get many forms. Scammers against the official list. Stopper. I can remember going to the those automatic gas hikes have been contacting people • Don’t believe what you Note: Target is a BBB Ac- 18th century exhibit up in repealed on the ballot. The through email, text mes- see. Scammers use technol- credited Business. the rotunda of the Faneuil underlying opposition once Hall Marketplace where visi- again was based on taxation tors became part of an inter- without representation. Law- active computerized exhibit. makers accountable to the I remember doing that ex- people should always have Mayor Walsh Asks Residents to Look Out for hibit and then taking a test to vote on these issues. at its completion finding out Otherwise how do we fight Neighbors, Take Precautions Against Cold whether I would be a Tory or this automatic taxing a Patriot. Lucky for me, I scheme? Mayor Martin J. Walsh has heating issues should first • Never leave candles would have been a patriot Same thing is true when directed city agencies to be contact their landlords to unattended. back when the American it comes to banning all on alert as temperatures correct any problems. If a • CO detectors are now Revolution was fought so smoking on the Boston Com- in the City continue to landlord is unresponsive, required in homes by law. that our God-given liberties mon and all city parks. drop, reminding residents to Boston residents can con- They must be within ten feet would not disappear. Smoking has been made take simple precautions to tact the Mayor’s 24-hour of sleeping areas. Lexington, Concord and stay warm and to look out hotline for assistance at • Working smoking detec- for anyone who might need 617-635-4500. Hotline staff tors should be on each floor Bunker Hill began the fight (Continued on Page 4) assistance. will alert the city’s Inspec- of your home, particularly The City’s Emergency tional Services Department, near bedrooms. Shelter Commission has which has housing and • To avoid frozen pipes, activated its Winter Cold building inspectors on duty let warm water drip over- News Briefs Weather Plan. People that to investigate situations and night in faucets, preferably notice anyone in immediate to work with property own- from a faucet on an out- by Sal Giarratani danger as a result of the ers to get heat turned back door wall, and leave cabi- extreme cold should notify on. Inspectional Services will net doors open to allow Tom Laughlin from public safety officials by call- expand its cold weather re- heat to reach un-insulated “Billy Jack” Fame Passed Away ing 911. sponse resources to include: pipes. Parents should make sure additional on-call housing The Boston Public Health Last June down in Texas with my nephew and that children are properly and building inspectors who Commission suggests fol- family on vacation, he and I watched the very dressed for cold tempera- will respond to no heat calls, lowing these tips to stay first “Billy Jack” movie on his flat-screen TV. He tures. Children who are not faulty heating systems and warm and avoid the danger- and I are both “Billy Jack” fans as was my brother, dressed properly and whose frozen pipes and conduct ous effects of extremely cold his father. I reminded my nephew that his father skin is exposed to extremely spot checks of home heating weather. Additional winter and I saw that first Tom Laughlin movie at the cold air, can suffer frostbite fuel trucks. safety guidance is available old Center Theater in the Boston Combat Zone within minutes. Children General heating safety tips at www.BPHC.org. on lower Washington Street. My nephew said the waiting for buses should be for winter weather include: • Layer clothing. next time back down, we could watch the other well covered with warm • Never use your oven for • Cover exposed skin. Skin two movies about Billy Jack. When I read the jackets, hats, gloves and heat. is vulnerable to frost bite at obit in the Boston Globe I told my nephew about scarves. • Electric powered portable such low temperatures. Laughlin’s passing. We shared a moment of mock In accordance with Massa- heaters should never be • Keep moving while silence in memory of those great old movies. We chusetts State Sanitary left on while sleeping and outdoors. both felt like cultist of a very liberal Hollywood Code, residential units should be kept at least three • Check on elderly family actor with some great conservative courage. should be heated to at least feet away from combustible and neighbors. (Continued on Page 10) 68 degrees during the day materials. • Drink warm, non- and 64 degrees at night. • Do not overload electri- caffeinated fluids. Tenants that experience cal sockets. • Keep pets indoors. THE POST-GAZETTE SATELLITE OFFICE IS NOW OPEN AT 35 BENNINGTON STREET, EAST BOSTON This office is open on Tuesdays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Thursdays from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PMPM, for the convenience of our East Boston and North Shore clients and contributors Call 617-227-8929 for more information Page 2 POST-GAZETTE, JANUARY 24, 2014 Res Publica by David Trumbull The Primary Objective The 2014 Republican State Convention will be held on LUCRETIUS Saturday, March 22nd, at the Boston University Agganis scholars, and most prolific of the soul dies at the same Arena. Election of delegates and alternate delegates to the all Roman authors. time as the body. Book four convention will take place at caucuses in cities and towns The full name of to- deals with the extraordinary between January 11th and February 1st. Anyone who is a day’s celebrity is Carus Titus theory of sense-perception registered Republican as of December 1, 2013 is qualified Lucretius, a Roman poet and — claiming that matter is to be a delegate. Interest in the convention has started philosopher who was born continually rising from the rising with the news that Charlie Baker, Republican can- about 98 B.C. It is claimed surface of all objects. This didate for Governor (his second time, he ran in 2010 as that he was made insane rising matter strikes our well) will face an opponent for the support of the delegates. from a love potion. He com- senses and the immediate Mark Fisher, small businessman, owner of Merchant’s posed six books of poetry result is perception. The fifth Fabrication in Auburn and TEA Party member, announced during some sane periods in book treats of the origin of last month that he, too, is seeking the Republican Party During previous issues we his madness and finally com- life by spontaneous genera- nomination for Governor.