RECOMAZ.org Blog

3 Things to do now before "In case of Emergency"

RECOM — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 19:33:47 GMT

Text first, talk later

Before an emergency happens, turn on Wi-Fi calling on your phone. If the cell towers are jammed but your internet is fine, your phone routes around the problem.

iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Wi-Fi Calling.
Android: Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi Calling (paths vary, so search Settings for “Wi-Fi calling”).

One person, three states away

Local circuits jam first. So the immediate family doesn’t call each other. Everyone checks in with one relative outside the area, who keeps a list and passes it along. Pick that person tonight and tell them the job.

Then write three phone numbers on a card for your wallet. Nobody has memorized a number since 1998, and a dead phone takes the whole address book with it.

Last one: Charge the battery bank in your closet. The most common communication failure in a disaster is not the network. It is a phone at 4%.

Do it tonight, and you won’t think about it again until the day it matters.

Retirement Strategies Free Tax Estimator from Fidelity

RECOM — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 18:07:30 GMT

Retirement strategies tax estimator (linked left)

Many investors use tax planning strategies in a retirement income plan, both before and during retirement. Strategies include:

Converting traditional IRA assets to a Roth IRA
Planning charitable giving amounts
Targeting withdrawals by account type

Estimate your tax impact using these strategies

Use this calculator to estimate your taxes for this year or last year. The calculator uses your expected income and taxable activity for the selected year and applies the current IRS tax code to give you a hypothetical view of your tax impact.

This isn't intended to be a recommendation, and isn't tax advice. Results are based on simplified assumptions and don't take all situations into account. As always, before making any decisions about your income plan or withdrawals you should consult with your tax advisor.

5 movements physical therapists say every adult over 50 should do daily

RECOM — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 17:16:45 GMT

By Christa Sgobba

These simple moves can help you maintain mobility and independence as you age. It’s the bane of busy folks everywhere: You know you should set aside time for regular exercise, but your packed schedule makes it tough. And as you reach your 50s and beyond, your body might start feeling the effects of that missed movement. That’s because as you get older, the bodily systems that work together to keep you mobile experience subtle changes, including losing muscle strength and mass and declining balance and proprioception, or your body’s ability to sense where it is in space, said physical therapist Teresa Liu-Ambrose, director of the Aging, Mobility and Cognitive Health Lab at the University of British Columbia.

Movements that you once took for granted may eventually become difficult, and over time, a lack of mobility — the ability to move your joints through a comfortable range of motion — could make it more difficult to maintain independence.

This doesn’t mean poor mobility is a given as you get older, said Annalisa Na, director of the Functional Aging and Mobility Research Laboratory at Drexel University. The best way to maintain it is to keep training it with exercises that mimic the movements of everyday life. Below are five moves that Liu-Ambrose and Na recommend adding into your daily routine to improve mobility and maintain balance and proprioception.

Before getting started, consider having a friend nearby — especially if you already have difficulties with balance — to make sure you’re tackling these moves safely. If you’re unsure if you can do them properly but are interested in working on mobility, ask your health care provider for a referral to a physical therapist, who can be a great resource for getting moving in a way that’s appropriate for your current physical activity level.

Sit-to-stand

How to do it: Standing with your feet flat on the floor facing away from a sturdy chair, hinge forward at your hips to initiate a squatting motion. Lower until your butt hits the seat. Then, push evenly through your heels to stand up tall. That’s one rep; aim to do 10.

The key is to take it slow and control your descent: “Pretend there’s an egg on the chair,” said Liu-Ambrose. “You want to sit down, but you don’t want to squash it.”

Make it easier by choosing a chair with a higher seat, said Na, or more difficult by picking a lower seat.

Dynamic pec stretch on wall

How to do it: Standing in front of a wall facing away from it, rest your butt, back and shoulders against the wall. Walk your feet forward a few inches and bend your knees slightly. With your arms in a goalpost position, try to touch the backs of your forearms to the wall. Reach your arms straight up, then bring them back down to goalpost position. That’s one rep; aim for 10.

If your chest muscles are too tight for your arms to touch the wall, hold them a few inches out in front of the wall instead.

Heel raise

The heel raise — one of the best exercises you can do for healthy aging — is effective at strengthening these muscles.

How to do it: Stand with your feet hip-width apart in front of a chair, counter, table or wall, and rest your fingers gently on the surface for balance. Then, press your weight into the balls of your feet to raise your heels as high as you can off the floor before lowering back down. That’s one rep; aim for 10.

Tandem stance/walk

While heel raises can help strengthen the muscles around the ankle joint, a simple tandem stance or walk, where you line your feet up heel-to-toe, also helps by honing your proprioception, Na said. By narrowing your base of support, it encourages the muscles in your ankle to make quick, tiny adjustments to keep you steady.

Standing hip abduction

The hip abductors — a small group of muscles located on the outside of each hip that allow you to move your leg away from the midline of your body — tend to be weak for many folks, Liu-Ambrose said. Because they play a huge role in keeping your body stable in single-leg activities (walking, running or climbing stairs), weakness there can mess with your balance.

The standing hip abduction exercise helps strengthen these small-but-mighty muscles at home.

How to do it: Stand with one foot directly in front of the other, the heel of your front foot touching the toes of your back. Try to hold this position while you’re doing a task, like washing dishes or brushing your teeth, said Liu-Ambrose. If this position makes you too unsteady, do this in front of a counter, table or other surface that you can gently hold onto for support.

If this stance feels easy, try a tandem walk, which can further hone your balance. “Just be very deliberate so as you’re walking, you’re going heel-toe, heel-toe,” said Liu-Ambrose. “Don’t try to race through it.”

“The key thing is that your toes should always be facing forward, not rotated sideways,” said Liu-Ambrose. This targets the muscles you want to work on.

By adding a few simple moves into your day, you can help set yourself up for successful movement as you get older. Liu-Ambrose said to think of it like you do your retirement plan. “The advice has always been to start early and to invest a little bit throughout the years so that you can retire quite comfortably,” she said. “By taking care of your body on a daily basis, the benefits accumulate,” allowing you to maintain function for the long haul.

Spot the Space Station

RECOM — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 19:04:23 GMT

Fun fact: The International Space Station is the third brightest object in the sky after the sun and the moon, and there are people living in it.

Get NASA’s free Spot the Station app at spotthestation.nasa.gov, and it’ll buzz your phone before the flying lab passes over your house, then point you at the right patch of sky.

Retired and pulling from an IRA? The IRS wants a check by Tuesday, or the meter starts running at 7%

RECOM — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 18:44:01 GMT

Story by Stacy Johnson CPA

Next Tuesday, Sept. 15, is the IRS deadline for third-quarter estimated taxes. If you’re retired and you’ve never sent the IRS a check outside of April, you may be wondering why I’m bothering you with this.

IRA and 401(k) withdrawals. Every dollar you pull from a traditional account is ordinary income. Your custodian will withhold 10% by default on a one-time IRA withdrawal, or 20% on a one-time 401(k) withdrawal, according to IRS Form W-4R. You can adjust the IRA rate up or down; the 401(k) rate can only go higher. For most retirees, neither default is close to enough.

Social Security. The Social Security Administration says your benefits become taxable once your combined income passes $25,000 if you’re single or $32,000 if you’re married filing jointly. Yet nothing is withheld unless you ask.

Side income. Consulting, a rental, selling stuff online, part-time work paid on a 1099. Nobody withholds a penny on any of it.

Add it up and you can owe several thousand dollars in April with nothing paid in. That’s when the IRS reminds you that we live in a pay-as-you-go system, and April was never the only deadline.

Here’s the good news: If you’re new to this, I wrote a broader guide in April on the tax changes in retirement nobody tells you about. This piece is narrower. It’s about Tuesday, and what happens if you miss it.

What missing Tuesday costs you

The IRS calls it an underpayment penalty, but it works like interest. The rate is set quarterly. In IR-2026-98, released Aug. 21, the IRS said the rate for individuals stays at 7% through Dec. 31.

Let’s run the numbers. Say you’ll owe $6,000 for 2026 and you have no withholding. Your Sept. 15 installment is $1,500. Skip it and pay everything on April 15 instead, and that $1,500 sits unpaid for seven months at 7%. That’s about $61.

Not ruinous. But do it for all four installments and you’re pushing nearly $250 for the year, for nothing. And I know plenty of retirees who’ll drive across town to save $5 on a prescription. Let’s not hand the IRS over $200 for the privilege of being disorganized. Worse, the penalty is an announcement that you don’t have a system. And without a system, next year’s bill will surprise you too.

The two escape hatches the IRS gives you

You don’t have to hit your tax bill on the nose. The IRS offers two safe harbors. Land in either and there’s no penalty, even if you still owe money in April.

Safe harbor No. 1: You owe less than $1,000 after subtracting withholding and refundable credits. Simple. If your withholding nearly covers you, you’re fine.

Safe harbor No. 2: Through withholding and estimated payments, you’ve paid in at least 90% of this year’s tax, or 100% of last year’s tax, whichever is smaller. If your 2025 adjusted gross income topped $150,000 ($75,000 married filing separately), the prior-year number becomes 110%, per Form 1040-ES.

The prior-year rule is the one I’d point most retirees toward. Look at line 24 of your 2025 return, total tax. Pay that amount in over 2026, in four roughly equal pieces, and the IRS leaves you alone. No guessing what this year’s income will be.

Only caveat: If your income jumped this year, say from a big IRA withdrawal, the prior-year harbor still protects you from the penalty. It won’t protect you from the bill. Set the difference aside.

The trick that makes quarterly payments disappear

Here’s what I tell anyone who hates writing checks to the IRS four times a year: Don’t. Use withholding instead.

Withholding and estimated payments are treated differently, and the difference is in your favor. The IRS treats withholding as paid in four equal installments across the year, no matter when the money was actually withheld. Estimated payments count only on the day you send them.

Read that again, because it’s the whole trick. Tax withheld in December counts as if a quarter of it were paid back in April. Nobody withheld anything from you in April? Doesn’t matter.

Two ways to use it:

Withhold from Social Security. Fill out Form W-4V and give it to Social Security, not the IRS. You pick 7%, 10%, 12% or 22% of your monthly benefit, or change it online through your my Social Security account.

Pick a percentage that, combined with any pension withholding, covers your total bill.

The year-end IRA move. If you’re behind in December, take an IRA withdrawal and tell your custodian to withhold a big chunk of it, even 100%, using Form W-4R.

The money goes straight to the IRS as withholding, which means it’s treated as paid evenly all year. Your penalty, if you had one, largely evaporates.

Yes, the withdrawal itself is taxable income. But if you’re taking required minimum distributions anyway, you can direct the whole RMD’s withholding toward your bill. For a lot of retirees, that one December transaction replaces four quarterly checks.

If you’re retired and missed Tuesday, this is your fix. You’ve got until Dec. 31 to make the withholding catch up.

How to pay before Tuesday if you’d rather just pay

If you’d rather stay on the quarterly system, or you’re too far behind for withholding alone to close the gap, pay by Tuesday.

Skip the paper voucher and the stamp. Use IRS Direct Pay. It’s free, it pulls from your checking account, and you select “estimated tax” and tax year 2026. You can schedule the payment ahead and change or cancel it up to two days before it goes out.

Pay late, and the meter runs from Sept. 15 until the day the money arrives. It’s not a cliff, it’s a slope. Pay a week late and it costs pennies. Wait until April and you’re back to the $61 example above.

Stuck for cash? Pay what you can. The penalty is figured on the shortfall, so every dollar in reduces it.

The bottom line

The IRS isn’t hunting retirees. But the tax system was built around paychecks, and once you stop getting one, it’s your job to replace the withholding your employer used to handle.

You’ve got three defenses: pay estimates on time, aim at a safe harbor, or let withholding do the work. The third one is the one I’d choose. Set a percentage on Social Security, adjust your IRA withholding in December, and you’ll never think about Sept. 15 again.

One last thing. If you retired after age 62 this year or last and underpaid because you didn’t know the rules, the IRS can waive the penalty for reasonable cause. Ask. It’s the rare time the system gives newcomers a break.

One Page Ballot for Voters in Maricopa County for November 3 General Election

RECOM — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 18:41:08 GMT

September 08, 2026

Maricopa County Elections has announced that voters will have a one-page ballot to complete in the 2026 General Election, different from the 2024 election in which voters filled out a two-page ballot. The 20-inch, one-page ballot is primarily possible because fewer statewide measures will be on the ballot than in 2024.

While there will be one fewer page than in 2024, the number of contests remain similar. The average Maricopa County Voter will have more than 80 contests on their ballot, including:

Federal Contest (US Representative): 1
State Candidate Contests, including Governor: 9
Countywide Contests: 3
Statewide Propositions: 8
Judges seeking retention in Superior Court, Appellate Court, Supreme Court: 57

Per statute, partisan candidates are listed in order of which party received the most votes in that county for governor in the previous general election. Democrat Katie Hobbs received the most in 2022, therefore, the democrat will appear first in partisan contests for office.

The length of a ballot is impacted by the number of contests a voter is eligible to vote in, and this may include justice of the peace and constable contests; school district candidate contests and measures; and city or town candidate contests and measures. Voters can log on to CandidateList.Maricopa.Vote for more information about what will be on the ballot so they can vote confidently in the upcoming election.

For individuals who do not vote early, the county is planning to offer 254 Vote Centers where they can cast a ballot on Election Day. The Board of Supervisors passed a resolution last week outlining proposed locations.
Maricopa County offers a Vote Center model that allows people to visit any voting location and receive a ballot printed on-site with the contests they are eligible to vote.

On Sept. 18, Locations.Maricopa.Vote will post all vote center locations and hours of operation. When early voting begins on Oct. 7, the website will offer up-to-the-minute wait times for these locations. On average, voting locations on Election Day are 1.2 miles apart and geographically dispersed throughout the county to maximize voter access and convenience.

The last day to register to vote for the Nov. 3 General Election is Oct. 5. All voters are encouraged to log on to their voter dashboard at BeBallotReady.Vote to ensure their information is up to date.

About the Maricopa County Elections Department
The Maricopa County Elections Department serves more than 2.5 million registered voters. They are responsible for candidate filings, in-person voting and Vote Centers, hiring thousands of elections workers for each election, as well as the tabulation of ballots. The work supports elections in Maricopa County cities, towns, school districts and special districts.

What do these abbreviations commonly mean

RECOM — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 17:13:24 GMT

LOL Laughing Out Loud

OTP One true pairing

WYD What are you doing

WYF Where are you from

HMU Hit me up – Contact me

ICL I can’t lie – used before an honest opinion or reaction

LOML love of my life

IIRC If I remember correctly

DTM Doing too much

New Google Translate's Listening Mode

RECOM — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 16:59:53 GMT

Translate, hold to ear. Google Translate's two new tricks:

On iPhone, "listening mode" lets you hold the phone to your ear like a call and hear a translation of whoever's talking, no earbuds needed.

On Android, Live Translate now runs in the background, so you can check the map or your hotel confirmation without killing the conversation.

Both are rolling out now. Fall trip booked? Update the app before you go.

Rented a car and paired your phone?

RECOM — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 16:38:26 GMT

Your car is broadcasting your contacts: Ever paired your phone with a rental car? Your contacts, call log and texts are probably still sitting in that dashboard for the next driver to scroll through.

Before you return it, tap the car's Settings > Bluetooth (or Phone), find your name and hit Delete or Forget.

Same goes for the loaner from the dealership and your buddy's truck. Your phone book doesn't need a road trip of its own.

Make Gmail Message Self-Destruct

RECOM — Sun, 06 Sep 2026 18:02:37 GMT

Gmail can make an email self-destruct. Draft your message, click the lock icon at the bottom of the compose window and pick an expiration date. It’s called Confidential Mode, and it also blocks forwarding, copying, printing and downloading. When the clock runs out, poof, the email is gone.

Credit Card scammers are spamming inboxes hoping you won't notice a fraud alert!

RECOM — Sun, 06 Sep 2026 17:44:39 GMT

A person received a text from her bank asking whether she had made an online purchase of a $1,200 laptop. The charge was put on hold, awaiting her response. The message appeared legitimate because it came from a number that had previously sent valid fraud alerts. Person replied, “No.” The bank texted back that because the purchase was unauthorized, the card was frozen and person was instructed to call its fraud department.

If you haven’t done this already, sign up to receive text messages, emails and even phone calls from your financial institution so they can reach you in various ways about suspicious activity for every one of my bank accounts, credit cards and investment accounts.

So, when you get that text, email or phone call, double-check it’s truly your financial institution trying to reach you. Look up the phone number on the back of your debit or credit card or statement to call your bank. DON’T rely on an online search, you have to be careful you don’t land on a fake site. While waiting to speak with a bank representative check your email for additional notifications about the compromised card.

Rather than hacking your phone or spoofing your bank’s number, fraudsters use automated bots to submit your email address to hundreds of online sign-up forms simultaneously. The scammer’s objective is to flood your email inbox so you overlook real-time alerts from your bank. This buys the thief or criminal syndicate time to complete unauthorized transactions, hide account change notices or access other compromised accounts.

Here is how to protect yourself if this happens to you:

· Treat a flood of messages as a warning sign. If you get swamped with an unusually large amount of email, assume a financial account or credit card has just been breached and respond to any real-time alerts right away.

· Resist the urge to respond to the messages. Except for contacting your financial institution, don’t do anything else. Cybercriminals often link email bombing with bogus help desk impersonation scams. They want to trick you into granting them remote access to your computer so they can steal data or charge you fraudulent fees, or both. Don’t click on anything”. If you’re not sure what to do, you can get free help by contacting the Identity Theft Resource Center at 888-400-5530 or visit idtheftcenter.org.

· An offer of help is part of the con. If someone calls or sends a pop-up offering to clean up your inbox, ignore it. It is not Microsoft, Apple or Google calling. It’s most certainly the scammer reaching out.

· Check your accounts immediately. Log into your banking and credit card apps to check for pending charges you haven’t authorized.

· Do a search before you purge. Look for terms such as “password,” “order confirmation,” or the names of your financial institutions to preserve key alerts.

· Then, do a deep dive into your email. Look for authentic alerts hidden in the noise. After making sure that no financial notifications were buried in the pile, the reader said, “I did bulk deletions for most of the items.”

Under the federal Fair Credit Billing Act, you can avoid being held responsible for unauthorized charges, provided you notify your card issuer within 60 days from the date it sends out your credit card statement.

Although email bombing isn’t a new scam strategy, its frequency has exploded in the past couple of years. Cybersecurity firm eSentire reported that email-bombing and impersonation attacks surged 1,450 percent in 2025 compared to the year before, with fraudsters using the inbox flood to distract their targets.

Why has my RECOM password expired?

RECOM — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 23:01:16 GMT

There are several reasons why you may receive an email notifying you that your password is about to expire. These include:

You haven't changed it in the last 365 days
We've asked all admin users to change their passwords for security reasons

To better protect your account, WildApricot passwords expire after 365 days. In the event WildApricot requires you to change or update your password prior to the expiration date, you will be notified by email and a pop-up notification from your WildApricot admin backend.

Password requirements

12 characters or more
both upper and lower case letters
at least one number
at least one of the following special characters: #?!@$%^&*-
no spaces

Note: WildApricot passwords are case-sensitive.

Beat the phone tree or bot answering

RECOM — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 23:49:49 GMT

Beat the phone tree. When the robot answers, say, “I need to cancel my service” or “I’m returning a call.” Straight to a human. Asked for your account number? Hit #. Stuck in a loop? Babble some nonsense three times, and most systems transfer you.

iPhone double-tap

RECOM — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 23:47:18 GMT

The secret button on the back of your iPhone.... Double-tap the back of your iPhone, and the flashlight comes on. Triple-tap for a screenshot. You choose. Settings, search Back Tap, assign double and triple. Works through most cases.

How to make passwords impenetrable!

RECOM — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 23:43:53 GMT

Make your passwords impenetrable. Pick four random words, like coffee-tractor-maple-September, that would take centuries to crack. Of course you will need to memorize it or write it down.....

Did the IRS really text me?

RECOM — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 00:30:20 GMT

Can I trust a text claiming to be from the IRS? The agency is changing its mind about SMS alerts. Here's what it will and won't send to your phone

Story by Chris Morris Aug 21 2026

There’s a prominent page on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website that says, in part, “Taxpayers need to remember that the IRS will not contact them by text message. (1)“

Under new digital rules, though, the tax agency may, in fact, reach out to people via their phones, but not for anything to do directly with their taxes.

How do I know if the IRS is texting me?

It’s important, before anything else, to point out that the IRS will only text you if you opt in for messages. If you haven’t and get a text purporting to be from the agency, it’s almost certainly a scam.

If you have opted in, pay attention to the short code that sends the text. That’s the number that will appear on your phone as the sender. Short codes aren’t phone numbers; they’re 5- or 6-digit numbers designed for high-volume, automated messaging. You’ve likely seen them if a site has texted you a code for two-factor authentication.

The IRS uses two short codes: 91040 and 34381. The short code you will see depends on the type of text sent (3).

Why would the IRS be texting me?

The IRS will only text taxpayers for three reasons:

News bulletins — These alert you to new regulations and criminal investigations into tax cases. It’s a text version of the agency’s press releases.
Upcoming appointments — If you have an in-person appointment with a representative at the IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center, you can elect to receive confirmations and reminders. These will let you know when it’s your time to be seen or confirm you have checked in, but they will never send a clickable link.
Callbacks — Rather than waiting on hold to speak to an IRS agent, which can chew up more than 5 hours at peak times, the IRS will let you get in the queue for a digital callback service (4). The IRS will send you a text right before it calls you back. These alerts come only from the short code 34381.

What red flags should I look for?

If the text is written in a high-pressure tone, mentioning penalties or requesting immediate contact, it’s likely a scam.

Any links that come in a text from the IRS should also send up a red flag. Clicking those will likely send you to a Website that is used to steal your personal information (1) or plant malware.

Additionally, be on the lookout for a phone number to call. The IRS doesn’t send those out.

“The IRS urges taxpayers not to click links or open attachments from unexpected messages and to report suspicious IRS-related emails, DMs and texts,” the agency wrote in its 2026 Dirty Dozen report (5). “The IRS reported over 600 social media impersonators during fiscal year 2025.”

Want to save that Facebook Photo?

RECOM — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 20:19:42 GMT

3-second tech genius: Want a Facebook photo without all the buttons and junk around it? Skip the screenshot.

In the Facebook mobile app, tap the photo to open it, hit the three dots, then choose Save to phone.

It drops straight into your gallery, full quality. No cropping required.

Never skip this step before throwing out an old USB drive

RECOM — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 18:45:34 GMT

Story by Kazim Alvi

USB drives remain a popular storage option, and it's largely because they are cost-effective and compact. There's also a major downside: USB flash drives typically last less than HDDs and SSDs. So naturally, the moment something feels off, many users simply copy the data, delete it from the USB drive, and throw the drive away. However, this is a risky approach, since it's possible to recover deleted files from a flash drive, or any other drive for that matter.

That's because when you delete the data, it's not actually wiped from the drive, but simply no longer referenced. The system basically marks that part of the drive as available for new data, but unless new files are written to it, the data is not completely wiped. While you, or the operating system can't see it, the data is still there, and a third-party tool can recover it.

This means you should take additional measures before tossing a flash drive, even after you have deleted the files or performed a quick format. There are a few options, ranging from full format and data overwriting, to physically destroying the USB drive, with the latter being the most effective. In the end, it comes down to your plans with the old USB drive, whether you are giving it to someone or getting rid of it for good.

Wiping and overwriting can protect your data

Formatting the drive is an easy way to delete its contents, but the type of format you choose is just as important. On Windows PCs, a quick format isn't the right choice when you are discarding the USB drive, because it only deletes the index. Instead, what you actually need is a full format. It takes a lot longer because the full format goes a few steps further, checking the drive for bad sectors and writing zeroes to the drive. There's still the possibility that some advanced data recovery software could retrieve the files, but it's extremely unlikely. To perform a full format in Windows, open File Explorer, right-click on the USB drive, select "Format," uncheck "Quick Format," click "Start," and confirm the change. On macOS, open Disk Utility, select your USB drive from the list, and click on "Erase." If you see "Security Options," click on it, drag the slider to the extreme right, and then proceed with the format. This essentially writes over the data multiple times, minimizing the chances of recovery. However, the option isn't available for all drives.

Another effective, and perhaps simpler option is to use a dedicated drive formatting program. They are available for both Windows and macOS, just keep in mind that you should select a software that explicitly supports flash drives. This is important, because flash drives and HDDs store data differently, and using software designed for HDDs may not necessarily work with flash drives.

Destroying the USB drive is the safest option

If there's sensitive data on the drive, whether presently or in the recent past, the safest option is to physically destroy it. Of course, the approach is only feasible if you are tossing the USB flash drive and not handing it over to someone else. But this is, by far, the only way to ensure that your data cannot be recovered.

Keep in mind that simply smashing the casing or USB connector won't do much good, because the data is stored on small memory chips embedded into the circuit board — you will need to remove the casing and specifically damage that small chip. While doing so, you must exercise caution as fragments can fly off, causing injuries. Also, if you have a drill, you could drill a hole in the memory chip. After you have destroyed the flash drive, make sure to safely dispose of it.

That said, it's important to understand when each measure may be viable. If the flash drive only had non-critical data, a full format may be enough for most users. But if the flash drive stored critical or personal files for years, physical destruction makes the most sense.

What to do if you've been scammed

RECOM — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:24:18 GMT

If you or a loved one ever falls victim to an impostor scam, here are the immediate steps to take.

Contact your financial institution. Call the fraud department directly using the number printed on your physical card, or look it up online. However, even then, you have to be careful not to land on a fake page. Freeze all compromised accounts. Ask for new account numbers.
Change your passwords: Update your credentials for online banking, email and primary accounts. Enable Two-Factor Authentication using an authenticator app.
Disconnect remote access: If you allowed someone to access your computer or tablet, turn off your WiFi connection immediately, uninstall the software, and have a professional inspect the device for hidden malware.
Don’t answer calls you don’t recognize.
Report the crime. You might feel ashamed or embarrassed, but still come forward and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.
Contact local police and the DMV. Provide details of the scam and specify what information you provided, such as a copy of your driver’s license. Keep a copy of the police report number; state agencies and banks often request it. If your license information has been compromised, contact your state’s motor vehicle department.
Freeze your credit file. Place a “security freeze,” also called a “credit freeze,” with all three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. This blocks lenders from pulling your credit report, effectively stopping scammers from opening new credit cards, auto loans or personal loans in your name.
Monitor your credit history: Regularly check your credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com. You can do this once a week.

Millions of drivers have been warned to park outside because of fire risks!

RECOM — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:05:02 GMT

More autos hit with 'park outside' recall

Already 2026 has hit the second-largest number of vehicles with an NHTSA "park outside" safety recall. 2023 was a standout because of two recalls of 3.35 million Hyundais and Kias. Click the Park Outside link for the HTSA.gov recalls website and check your vehicle for recalls.

An estimated 3.2 million vehicles nationwide currently have an outstanding “park outside” recall, according to vehicle history provider Carfax, which described the surging numbers as “concerning.” The recalls also create new headaches for drivers, who suddenly wonder where it is safe to park their vehicles.

Standard safety recalls, which still make up the vast majority of formal notices, are usually thought of as being dangers tied to driving — brakes failing or air bags exploding. But the risks covered by park-outside recalls don’t stop when the car is off. They can pop up anytime. That makes them a distinctive danger, experts said. “It can be a giant disaster when cars catch fire and no one is there to see it,” said Michael Brooks, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety.

The rise in park-outside recalls is being driven by the growing number of electronics and batteries packed into modern vehicles, involving ordinary wiring, seat motors, starter relays, high-voltage batteries and more, according to experts. “The engine is off, but the circuits are still hot, and they stay hot all the time.,” “There is a lot more electronics in vehicles today, and that means more stuff can go wrong.”

Kane said vehicles today also run hotter and have more components packed tightly under the hood, providing more opportunities for fires to start. “If something goes wrong, even if you park the car, the temperatures stay higher for longer than they used to,” he said.

This summer has been with flooded with park-outside recalls compared with previous years. Eight campaigns were announced in June and July alone, such as when NHTSA issued a notice, “Urgent Park Outside Warning Issued for 1 Million Jeeps,” blaming an electrical connection issue tied to power-steering pumps.

In the first seven months of 2026, there were 17 park-outside campaigns covering about 1.7 million vehicles, making this year among the busiest since NHTSA first created the park-outside designation more than a decade ago.

Get fit with workout videos on Netflix!

RECOM — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 21:05:25 GMT

Netflix isn't just a destination for those who want some relaxing entertainment. In fact, it can also be used to get in shape, shed some pounds, and become a healthier person.

The streaming giant announced a collaboration with Nike Training Club back in 2023 that has subsequently seen both companies work together to produce a variety of fitness videos available to subscribers at no extra cost. Search for: Headspace Guide to Meditation, Headspace Mindfulness Manual, Guide to Sleep, and Women's Health - Strong Like in the search bar.

Strong Like includes classes available in a wide range of "workouts for all fitness levels and interests."

Say that again?

RECOM — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 17:58:08 GMT

More than HALF of Americans watch TV with subtitles on, and the top reason isn’t hearing loss. It’s the audio: muddled mixes, thin-TV speakers that fire at the wall and streaming compression. Your gorgeous 4K screen ships with the sound your 1998 tube TV would laugh at.

Sound familiar? You’re in the majority. And no, it’s not your ears.

Blame your beautiful TV. As screens got thin, the speakers shrank into slivers that fire at the wall, not at you. Movies get mixed for theaters with dozens of speakers, then squeezed into your flat slab. Streaming compresses the audio again for good measure. Add today’s mumble-first acting style, and you’ve got crystal-clear pictures with mud for sound.

The studios broke it. You get to fix it.

Takes only 2 minutes

Dig into your TV’s sound settings:

Dialogue mode. Samsung calls it Amplify or Clear Voice, LG has Clear Voice Pro, Sony has Voice Zoom. Different names, same job: Push voices forward.
Kill the fake surround. Those “virtual 3D” modes smear dialogue everywhere. Off.
Night mode is secretly great. It squashes the gap between whispers and explosions. Exactly your problem.

Now fix the apps

Netflix: While a show plays, open the Audio & Subtitles menu and pick English - Stereo instead of 5.1. Stereo mixes are built for TV speakers.
Prime Video: Amazon hid a gem called Dialogue Boost. It only works on their original shows and movies, like The Boys, Fallout and Jack Ryan. While a program plays, open the Audio menu and pick English Dialogue Boost: Medium or High. AI lifts voices out of the mix.

Facebook - Face Recognition

RECOM — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:31:21 GMT

Meta recently launched Facebook Verified, a free “real human” badge you get by taking a video selfie. Their facial recognition matches that selfie against the photos on your profile. The badge shows up in Marketplace, Groups and Dating.

Here’s the part that matters. Once your face becomes proof of identity, a leak gets personal fast. The selfie isn’t stored as a cute photo. It becomes a face template, a mathematical map of your specific geometry. The same biometric data could be used to impersonate you, match you across accounts or fool systems that use your face to approve access.

You can change a password. You can freeze a credit card. You can’t cancel a face.

Before you tap verify

Open Settings & Privacy > Face Recognition > check whether verification is already switched on. New accounts often are.

If you do verify, don’t use a photo that also lives on your banking or work profiles. That’s how faces get cross-matched.

Hidden Amazon Deals & Coupons

RECOM — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 16:06:43 GMT

Amazon quietly runs five separate discount sections (Resale, Outlet, Haul, Renewed and a coupon page) with markdowns up to 70%. Resale, Outlet and Renewed, search “Haul” in the app and use the &pct-off URL trick. Steps below. None get home page billing, because full price pays the bills.

Amazon Resale: The original secret. Click here to start.

Formerly Amazon Warehouse, this is where returned and open-box items land after inspection, at 30% to 70% off. Every item wears a condition label, from “Like New” (packaging’s rough, product’s perfect) down to “Acceptable” (works fine, looks like it’s been through something). You still get the 30-day return window, and most items ship Prime. Already eyeing something? Scroll down the product page to “Other Sellers,” and check for a used option at a lower price.

Amazon Outlet: Brand-new, overstocked amazon.com/Outlet

Nothing used here. This is overstock and seasonal clearance from big-name brands, typically 30% to 70% off.

Amazon Haul: The alternative to Temu Go to amazon.com/haul/store.

Amazon’s everything-under-$20 store, built to beat the ultra-cheap apps at their own game, without the sketchy shipping wait. Search “Haul” in the Amazon app. Quality varies, so read reviews, but for phone cases, cables and party stuff?

Amazon Renewed: Refurbished Check them out here

Professionally inspected refurbs (think iPads, Dysons, laptops) backed by the Renewed Guarantee: 90 days to get a replacement or refund if it’s not right.

The coupon page nobody clicks “Amazon coupons”

Search for digital clip-on coupons that stack with sale prices. Run any Amazon search, then add &pct-off=50- to the end of the web address. Boom, only items 50% off or more. Change the number to taste.

The Second Sting

RECOM — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 18:04:08 GMT

Scammers are impersonating the FBI to target people who already lost money to fraud once.
They use AI-generated videos of real FBI officials, fake agent profiles and copycat versions of ic3⁠.gov (Internet Crime Complaint Center) to look legitimate.
If you or someone you love has ever reported a scam or lost money to one, you’re exactly who they’re looking for.

This is alarming. Scammers are impersonating the FBI itself, specifically the people who handle Internet Crime Complaint Center reports. And they hunt one group above all others: Americans who already lost money to a scam.

The pitch sounds like mercy: We recovered your funds. We can help you file to get them back. Simply cover the fee.

Why it looks so real

The bureau updated this alert, and the upgrade is the ugly part. Criminals run AI-generated videos of senior FBI officials. They build social media profiles for agents who never existed. They stand up copycat sites that mimic the complaint center’s hub at ic3⁠.gov, issue official-looking case reference numbers and move it all to Telegram.

A security firm spotted one Facebook page calling itself “Ic3 Scam Recovery Inc.,” complete with invented testimonials promising a professional case assessment.

Here’s how they find you. They read the public posts. Somebody vents in a Facebook group about losing eight grand, and within a day, a polite stranger slides into their direct messages.

The numbers explain the effort. The IC3 logged more than a million complaints in 2025 with losses topping nearly $21 billion, a 26% jump in a single year. Americans 60 and older absorbed more than $7.7 billion of that. Government impersonation alone drew over 32,400 reports and nearly $800 million in losses.

Burn these four rules into your brain

One. The IC3 has no social media presence. None. Any Facebook page, X account or Instagram profile claiming to be IC3 is fake, full stop.

Two. The FBI will not call, email or text you offering to recover your money. That call is a scam.

Three. Type ic3⁠⁠.gov into the address bar yourself. Skip the search results, especially the sponsored ones. Confirm the address ends in .gov before you type a single detail.

Four. Nobody legitimately charges you a fee to get your own money back. The second somebody mentions crypto, gift cards or a wire transfer, hang up.

If this has already happened to you or someone you love, report it at ic3.gov. And for people 60 or older, the Justice Department runs an Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311, staffed by real people who walk you through the filing.

Getting scammed is not a character flaw. Professionals did this to you, and they do it all day. The only shame in this story belongs to them.

Text 911 in Arizona if you can't speak

RECOM — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 14:35:53 GMT

Text-to-911 in AZ

Text-to-911 service is available in every Arizona county, including Maricopa County. Arizona Department of Public Safety+1.

How to use Text-to-911 in Gilbert

During an emergency, open a new text message in your phone’s messaging app.
Enter “911” as the recipient.
Type your message clearly stating the nature of the emergency and your exact location.
Send the message.

Text-to-911 is intended for emergencies only, such as when you cannot make a voice call (e.g., due to speech disability, danger, or being unable to speak)

Important tips

Voice calls are preferred if possible, as they allow faster information gathering
Include your exact location — texting does not automatically send your GPS to 911
Use plain English, avoid abbreviations or emojis, and keep messages concise
No multimedia (photos, videos) is supported — only text is allowed
Ensure your phone has an active text plan; Text-to-911 may not work without service
Response time can be slower than voice calls, so be prepared for delays

Non-emergency contact

For non-emergency police matters, use Gilbert PD’s non-emergency number: (480) 503‑6500.

AI can can make an illustrated Storybook from a drawing - FREE!

RECOM — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 14:31:44 GMT

WOW! One photo of your grandkid’s pencil drawing becomes a 10-page illustrated storybook, with the art drawn in your grandkid’s own style, and it reads itself aloud. Free, about two minutes, no design skills required.

The Short Version: Snap a photo, open Gemini's Storybook tool, paste one prompt, then print the PDF. Steps below.

Google’s free, truly amazing Storybook tool inside Gemini takes one photo of a pencil drawing, then writes and illustrates a 10-page picture book around it. It even reads the story aloud. Total time: about two minutes. The look on your grandkid’s face: permanent.

How to do it

Snap a clear photo of the drawing in good light, one masterpiece per photo.
Go to gemini.google.com/gem/storybook, or open the Gemini app and pick Storybook under Gems.
Upload the photo and paste this prompt: “This is my grandkid’s drawing. She’s 7. Write a creative storybook that brings her drawing to life, and illustrate it in the style of her drawing.” That first part is Google’s own suggested prompt. The style request at the end is my twist, so the book looks like HER book, not a stock cartoon.
Give it a minute or two. Out comes a 10-page book with art on every page and a Listen button that narrates it. You can even change the reader’s voice.
Tap Share, then Print and save it as a PDF. Print it at home, or upload that PDF to a photo-book site and turn it into a hardcover keepsake. If your printer jams halfway through, relax. Every good story needs a little conflict.

Make it theirs: Ask the tool to use your grandkid’s name as the hero, the family dog as the sidekick or a lesson baked in (“trying new foods,” “being brave at the dentist”). Want a different look? Storybook does comic book, claymation, crochet, even a coloring-book version the artists can fill in themselves.

Rather use ChatGPT?

Upload the drawing photo and paste: “Write a 10-page illustrated children’s storybook starring this character. Keep the drawing’s exact look, one picture per page, then make it a printable PDF.” You get the pages and the file, ready to print.

Two FYIs. Gemini’s Storybook requires an adult account, so this is a do-it-together project with you at the wheel. And read the book once before bedtime. AI still improvises, and you want to see the plot twist before your 6-year-old does.

Tuck the original drawing inside the back cover of the printed book, with the date on it. Twenty years from now, that’s not a book. That’s a time machine.

6 retirement tax moves most people miss - from Fidelity

RECOM — Sat, 18 Jul 2026 19:04:46 GMT

This article covers pre and early retirement years and offers a key window for tax strategies. I thought it was good information. Link here: Taxes during the transition to retirement | Fidelity

Don't scan that QR code from a mystery box!

RECOM — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 15:28:11 GMT

A box shows up on your porch. Your name, your address, no receipt, no sender. Inside: a seed packet, a cheap ring, one sad pasta strainer.

You didn’t order it. So who did? A scammer, and here’s the kicker: The package isn’t a scam. YOU are the product.

What’s going on

It’s called a brushing scam. Sketchy online sellers need glowing “verified purchase” reviews to climb the rankings. They buy your name and address (data breaches are the gift that keeps on giving), ship you something that costs them pennies, and boom, the system sees a real delivery to a real customer. Then they write a 5-star review of their junk product. Signed, basically, by you.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service says it plainly: It’s illegal, and if you’re getting these boxes, your personal information is compromised. Not “might be.” Is.

The dangerous new version

Lately these packages come with a little card: “Scan this QR code to see who sent your gift!” The FBI put out a formal alert about this one. That code can send you to a phishing site that harvests your card number, or it could push malware onto your phone. Curiosity is what they’re counting on.

The package is bait. The QR code is the hook. Don’t be the fish.

Got one? Do this.

Keep it, toss it or donate it. Guilt-free. Federal law says unordered merchandise is yours to keep as a free gift. You owe nobody a dime.
Do NOT scan any QR code or visit any website printed inside. And never pay a “shipping fee” to claim a mystery gift.
Change the password on your Amazon and shopping accounts, and turn on two-factor authentication while you’re in there. If a scammer has your address, assume they’ve shopped for more.
Check your accounts for reviews you didn’t write and orders you didn’t place. Report fakes to the retailer. Amazon has a dedicated brushing report page.
Watch your credit at all three bureaus, plus card statements for small test charges.
Report it to Amazon or the marketplace it came from, the postal inspectors at 1-877-876-2455 and ic3.gov if there was a QR code involved.

FYI, the fake reviews themselves are a federal offense. The FTC can fine sellers over $51,000 per phony review.

So if a mystery box shows up this weekend, you know the drill. Keep the strainer. Skip the QR code. Change your passwords.

Save that precious voicemail from a loved one....

RECOM — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 17:20:30 GMT

Here’s what you need to know: That voicemail from your mom isn’t stored on your phone. It lives on your carrier’s server, and your carrier treats it like leftovers in the office fridge.

The clock is already running

AT&T: Basic voicemail keeps messages 14 days. Visual voicemail, 30.
T-Mobile: 14 to 30 days, and once it’s deleted, their own support page says it “cannot be retrieved.”
Verizon: Doesn’t publish an exact number, but their FAQ flat out says they’re not liable for deleted messages, “even if you saved them.”
Consumer Cellular: Doesn’t publish a countdown. But their support is 100% U.S.-based, and they’ll walk you through saving a message step by step. Dial 611 from your phone, or call 1-888-345-5509. Do it before you need it, not after. Full disclosure: Consumer Cellular is a sponsor of my national radio show.*

Save it forever (takes one minute)

I tested the steps below. Yours might be different, depending on your phone’s make, model and operating system.

iPhone: Open Phone > Voicemail. Tap the message, then tap the Share button (the box with the arrow). Choose Save to Files, or tap More, then pick iCloud Drive or Google Drive. Done. It’s now an audio file you own.
Android: Open the Phone app > Voicemail. Tap the message to expand it, hit the Share icon and save it to Google Drive. It exports as an MP3.
Samsung: In Visual Voicemail, click and hold the message you want to save, tap Archive. FYI, archiving removes it from the server, so move that file somewhere safe right away.
Old-school or landline voicemail: Play it on speaker and record it with another device. Nobody’s judging. The recording is the point.

Pro tip: If you’re ever closing a loved one’s account, save the voicemails before you call the carrier.

Did you know?

RECOM — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 16:30:25 GMT

Did you know that if your home is in a Trust that your insurance should also be in the name of the trust for that property? Check with your insurance agent so this doesn't become an issue if you have a claim.

Want bigger text on your i-Phone?

RECOM — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 16:56:22 GMT

Simplify an iPhone: Don't struggle with all the tiny buttons and endless menus on your i-Phone. iPhone has a special mode with a basic home screen, bigger text and larger app icons. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Assistive Access to set it up. To exit this mode, triple-click the side button.

Why 911 can't always find you....

RECOM — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 18:14:01 GMT

The good news and the catch

The FCC now requires carriers to route your 911 call by your phone’s actual location, not whatever tower it hit. Big carriers switched over in late 2024. Smaller ones came online this past May, but calls still fall back to a tower guessing when your phone can’t get a fast location fix.

When your phone can’t grab a fast fix (basements, concrete high-rises, rural valleys with no bars), your call still falls back to the old tower method. Millions a year still will. Your settings decide whether 911 sees you or a guess two towns over.

Lock it down

Phone makers love moving things around, so your taps may look a little different. Poke around. The setting’s in there.

· iPhone: Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services, turn on Emergency Calls & SOS. Then in Health, tap your photo > Medical ID and turn on Share During Emergency Call.

· Android: Settings > Safety & emergency > Emergency Location Service.

Use Wi-Fi calling? Your carrier keeps an emergency address on file. Moved since? 911 could get your OLD address.

· iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Wi-Fi Calling > Update Emergency Address.

· Samsung: Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi Calling > menu > Emergency address.

· Pixel: Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > your carrier > Wi-Fi calling > Emergency address.

· On any other Android or if you can’t find the setting: Open your carrier’s app (Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, etc.), search “Wi-Fi calling emergency address” and update it there. Same fix, different door.

Send this to anyone who only carries a cell phone. It’s their lifeline to 911.

Scamsafe - now a free way to check if an email you got was a scam

RECOM — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 00:47:53 GMT

ScamSafe AI Tool (U.S.)

In the United States, ScamSafe is an AI-powered tool that analyzes suspicious emails, texts, or letters. Users can paste or upload messages, and the AI identifies red flags such as fake urgency, impersonation, suspicious links, and payment tricks. It provides a clear verdict and guidance on what to do next, without storing or sharing the messages. This version is particularly aimed at protecting seniors and families from fraud www.scamsafe.us.

Key Takeaways

Purpose: Protect individuals from scams and fraud.
Functionality: Reporting, detection, blocking, and educational guidance.
Formats: Public reporting platforms, mobile apps, and AI-based analysis tools.
Target Users: General public, mobile users, and vulnerable populations like seniors.
In essence, ScamSafe is a safety initiative that empowers people to recognize scams, take preventive action, and contribute to broader anti-fraud efforts.

Veterans "Extra Benefits" postcard scam

RECOM — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 21:16:50 GMT

The VA issued an alert June 10 warning veterans across the country about a wave of postcards promoting something called the “Veterans Savings Program.” No such program exists. The postcards reference real programs like CHAMPVA and TRICARE For Life to sound legitimate. They include a deadline, usually five days, to pressure you into calling fast before you think too hard about it.

Once you call, the scammer lays it on thick. Praise for your service. Gratitude. Warmth. All of it carefully designed to lower your guard before they ask for your Social Security number, your bank details, your VA file number or all three.

The VA does not send benefit updates by postcard. Ever.

Why veterans are being targeted

Scammers don’t pick random names out of thin air. They buy lists.

Data brokers compile files on millions of Americans from public records, app data, loyalty programs and online activity. Those files include your name, home address, age, household members and in many cases whether you’re a veteran or receive government benefits. That information gets packaged and sold to anyone willing to pay, including scammers running exactly this kind of operation.

Your name on that postcard wasn’t a coincidence. Someone paid for it.

Do these things right now

Throw the postcard away. Do not call any number listed on it. The VA will never reach out by postcard to notify you of new benefits.
Verify directly with the VA. If you have any questions about your benefits, call the VA’s official line at 1-800-827-1000 or visit VA.gov. Those are the only sources you should trust.
Report it. Call 1-800-827-1000 to report the scam to the VA. You can also file a complaint at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Every report helps investigators track these operations down.
Get your name off the list. This is important to know.

Before a scammer can send you a targeted postcard, they need your address, your phone number, your employment background and your medical conditions. They buy all this and more from data brokers for pennies.

They thanked you for your service. Then tried to rob you. That’s who these people are.

Send this to a veteran or military spouse you know. They need to see this.

City of Mesa (COM) Cigna Plans and WISeR

RECOM — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 00:40:05 GMT

At their November meeting, RECOM’s representatives on the Employee Benefits Task Force asked how COM’s Cigna plans would respond to denials of service under the WISeR program, which goes into effect in January. That plan involves new pre-certification requirements for Medicare patients in Arizona. The December issue of RECOM REPORTER listed many of the services involved and the review process. You may read that article on this website under News/Newsletters/December 2025 Newsletter.

Stephanie Drake, Assistant Employee Benefits Administrator, responded to RECOM’s questions. Here is her response:

We have confirmed with Cigna that most of the codes/services included in the WISeR program already require prior authorization through Cigna, but currently when Medicare is primary for these services, providers do not need to get pre-cert with Cigna to pay as secondary for those services. In 2026, if a service needs to be approved by Medicare under WISeR and the service is also a Cigna/City of Mesa covered service, then the provider and/or member must complete the WISeR pre-certification process for Medicare to approve and pay primary and Cigna will automatically coordinate benefits in secondary position (just like current). However, if WISeR denies Medicare coverage for otherwise potentially covered services under the City/Cigna retiree medical plans, then the provider would need to submit for pre-certification/authorization with Cigna and if Cigna approves, then they will adjudicate the claim in primary position (i.e., no Medicare involvement). If neither approves, then (there will be) no coverage for that set of codes and clinical requests under either Medicare or Cigna/City.

Hover to check website links before you click!

RECOM — Sat, 16 Aug 2025 15:25:13 GMT

Watch out for this clever phishing scam that hooks you: Hackers are slipping the Japanese character “ん” (pronounced like a soft “n” and called a hiragana) into legitimate website URLs, replacing a normal slash “/.” To the naked eye, it looks normal, but click, and you’re headed straight to a malware buffet. This works because “ん” is part of Unicode, so browsers treat it as a valid web address character. Even pros can miss it at first glance. Bonus scam: fake “Intuit” emails where the “i” is swapped for a lowercase “L.” Your eyesight is the target, so always hover over links and check the real domain before you click.

ASRS Annual Account Checkup

RECOM — Sat, 16 Aug 2025 14:42:25 GMT

Your Annual Account Checkup

Hello! This is your reminder to check that information within your secure myASRS account is up-to-date. We suggest logging into your account at least once a year to make sure that:

All primary contact information is correct, including your mailing address, email address, and phone number.
Any beneficiary(s) on your account are still correct.

Some additional important notes:

If you’ve changed ASRS employers within the last year, ensure your current employer is listed in your account. If it is incorrect, ask your employer for their ASRS enrollment code, and go through the "first time registration steps" again with your ASRS account.
We suggest making sure your login ID is sufficiently unique that other members may not accidentally try to log into your account due to members with same or similar names having similar login IDs. You can change your login ID within your secure myASRS account using the “Edit Profile” menu option.
Remember to always update your contact information with the ASRS and your employer separately. Changing it with one does not update the other!

Is Your Account Up to Date?

RECOM — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 17:47:12 GMT

Be sure to check your RECOM, City of Mesa health insurance, ASRS, PSPRs, Social Security, etc., at least once a year to ensure that all your information on file is still correct. Check your mailing address, email address, phone number, or beneficiary information. It's important to keep it current to be sure you get important communications that can be sent from providers.

Register your Deferred Account online!

RECOM — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 19:03:11 GMT

Remember to register your Deferred Compensation account online with your email address and phone number. Keep that information up-to-date. When activity occurs on a participant account, Empower proactively sends that participant security alerts via all points of contact they have for them. Participants are encouraged to contact Empower directly if they don’t recognize any such activity or have questions about alerts. Empower Client Services 800-701-8255.

Stop Medicare Fraud

RECOM — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 23:36:39 GMT

Follow these 3 tips to protect yourself from Medicare fraud and scams:

If you get a call, text or email asking for your Medicare Number, don't respond. Don't give your Medicare card or Medicare Number to anyone except your doctor or people you know should have it.
Check your Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) or claims statements carefully. If you see a charge for a service you didn't get or a product you didn't order, it may be fraud. If you suspect fraud, report it at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or Reporting Medicare fraud & abuse | Medicare.
Guard your Medicare card like it's a credit card.

Visit Medicare.gov, the official source for Medicare information, to learn more about preventing Medicare fraud and medical identity theft.

Retiree Reminders

RECOM — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 22:41:56 GMT

Surepay deductions occur on the 10^th of the month unless it is a non-business day or holiday.
This will occur 3 more times in 2025
Loof for and review Annual Open Enrollment newsletter each September
Take note of changes, including cost
Contact Employee Benefits Office 480-644-2299 or benefits.info@mesaaz.ogv to update contact information – address, email, phone number.

Delta Dental Plans include 3 free cleanings/year!

RECOM — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 21:17:27 GMT

Take advantage of your free dental visits – prioritize your oral health and schedule your appointments today!

Our Delta Dental Plans now include three free cleanings per year!