Avoid spam with disposable emails

Our email addresses need to be treated like personal information. Seems like we're constantly being asked for our email address at stores, or to receive a discount or get a receipt. Giving out our email address could be exposing us to cybercriminals intent on stealing our personal information.

One way to cut down on the number of spam messages you get is a disposal email service. This service allows you to get a temporary email address when ordering online, signing up for service or filling out forms.

Many disposal email services are free, like TrashMail and 10 Minute Mail. With TrashMail, once you set up your account it will forward your message(s) to the email you choose. 10 Minute Mail is a temporary email address that allows you to set it up for 10 minutes. You can send, read and reply to emails during that time, and the service allows you to receive attachments. You have the option of extending the time for an additional 10 minutes, but it's a temporary solution.

Another way to cut down on spam is to create an alternate or alias email address, different from the disposal addresses mentioned above. An alternate email address is an account that you use for specific things like online ordering, site registrations or activities for which you do not wish to provide your private information.

It's best to set up an alternate email address with services like Gmail or Outlook.com. This allows you to access and use the addresses any time.

The alternate email is associated with your primary email address and uses the same Inbox, contact list and account settings, and does not expire. Gmail also allows you the option of using another email address when sending messages.

To create an alternate email, Gmail allows you to use a period (.) or a plus sign (+) to create an alias. For example, if my real email were terridickerson@gmail.com, I could create terri.dickerson@gmail.com as my alias.

Creating a disposable or alias email will not only help keep your inbox clean, it will also help protect your personal information.

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Finding a lost cellphone

With our increased reliance on mobile devices, it sends us into a panic when we misplace them. If you misplace your cellphone or can’t remember where you left it, there's technology that can help.

The processes for finding an iPhone or Android-based smartphone are different. For Apple, the Find My iPhone app has been around for a while, but has been updated from time to time.

With iPhone, the easiest way to locate it is using the associated Apple Watch your phone is paired with. If your watch is on, you’ll need to swipe up on the watch. Once your watch is open, tap on the phone icon (it has sound waves). That forces your iPhone to emit a noise even if it's set on silent. I've used this to quickly locate my iPhone.

You can download the Find My iPhone app to another Apple device you own, like an iPad or Macbook. Then, if you lose your phone, you open the app and tap on your phone to force it to make a loud sound so you can find it.

Another option is to use the iCloud to locate your iPhone. It works pretty much like the Find My iPhone app. Once you log in to the iCloud, it's called the Find iPhone feature; select your device, then select "play sound." The iCloud option also can be helpful if your phone is lost or stolen.

For Android users, Find My Device is automatically turned on when you add a Google account to any Android device. However, for it to be effective you must be signed in to a Google account, connected to mobile data or Wi-Fi, visible on Google Play and have location turned on and have Find My Device enabled. It's best to complete these steps when you get your Android device.

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Veteran stimulus scam calls

A Coeur d’Alene veteran reported he has received three to five calls a day from a 509 area code number informing him there is free stimulus money out there for veterans who own a home.

This is false. There's no additional stimulus money for being a veteran and home owner. If you don’t recognize the number, don’t answer the call.

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Scam email from the boss

County employees are receiving email supposedly from supervisors, asking if they can help them with a random task. The message is intentionally vague to elicit a response. When the employee replies, it becomes clear the request is about purchasing gift cards. A closer look at the email reveals that while the message appears to be coming from the boss, it isn’t actually coming from a county email account.

This boss scam was going around a while ago but it appears to be back. If you receive an email like this and think it might be legitimate, go directly to the source to check to see if it is valid.

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Remember: I’m on your side.

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If you've encountered a consumer issue that you have questions about, or think our readers should know about, please send me an email at terridickersonadvocate@gmail.com or call me at 208-274-4458. As The CDA Press Consumer Gal, I’m here to help. I’m a copywriter working with businesses on marketing strategy, a columnist, a veterans advocate and a consumer advocate living in Coeur d’Alene.