Eavesdroppers May Get Earful
Dear Ann Landers: Inform your readers that when they use a cordless or cellular telephone, their conversation goes out over public airways.
In my town, the frequency for the state troopers is close to that used by cordless telephones. I scan over a broad range and have heard people ordering merchandise using credit card numbers and calling their banks and giving account numbers. I heard a doctor give a report on a patient, complete with the patient’s address and insurance carrier.
If my radio is scanning a broad range and stops, I can hear everything a person says. I don’t have the time or interest to eavesdrop intentionally, but there are plenty of people who like to listen in on private phone conversations.
Please, Ann, warn your readers that no one is guaranteed privacy when using a cordless or cellular phone. I have left off the name of my city because this can happen anywhere. - No City, No State
Dear N.C., N.S.: I have printed columns in the past on the dangers of giving out personal information on cordless or cellular phones. You’ve written a letter that can benefit a great number of readers. Thanks on behalf of all of them.
Dear Ann Landers: You think you have heard everything? Don’t bet on it. This story came from the Casper, Wyo., Star-Tribune:
An American woman claims to have close spiritual ties with the Ramtha, a 30,000-year-old spirit said to be the leader of the sunken continent of Atlantis. The woman claims that the Ramtha has relayed messages to her since 1978. In September 1992, she claimed her psychic channel was disturbed by a woman in Berlin who had also been contacting the Ramtha. The legal battle has dragged through Austria’s courts for three years. The supreme court has awarded the American woman copyright, granting her the sole right to contact the Ramtha. The woman in Berlin has been ordered to pay $800 for having caused the American to languish in “spiritual limbo.” Ann, will you please comment? - Reader of the Casper Star-Tribune
Dear Reader: I am at a loss to comment on things that are beyond me. Shirley MacLaine, I need your help. Please call my office.
Dear Ann Landers: The letter from “Canada Parents” struck home with my husband and me. They were unhappy because their married child had no pictures of them in the house. Here’s our story.
We have always helped our daughter and son-in-law financially when they’ve gotten into a tight spot, which has happened quite often. We did what you suggested to “Canada” and sent them a nice portrait of ourselves for their anniversary. We thought you might be interested in what happened after that.
We arrived for a visit a few months later. Imagine our surprise when we entered the living room and saw a huge picture of Elvis Presley in the premier spot over the fireplace.
We asked our daughter where she had put ours. “Oh,” she said, “I know right where it is.” She went to the hall closet and opened the door, and there on the floor against the wall was our portrait. We took the picture with us when we went home.
A few weeks later, our son-in-law called asking for a loan. I told him, “Sorry, but the bank is closed.” End of story. - Riverside, Calif.
Dear Riverside: Many of my readers may disagree, but the placement of your portrait gave you a pretty good idea of where you stood. I would not fault you for closing “the bank” upon learning that you were relegated to the closet floor.