Plain-English guides

Step-by-step help you can use today. New guides are added every two weeks, often in answer to readers' questions.

How today's scams work, the warning signs to watch for, and exactly what to do if one reaches you.

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  Scams and fraudNew

  Is that delivery text real? How to spot a fake

  The one rule that catches them, the warning signs, and how to report one.

  Read the guide →
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  Scams and fraudNew

  Gift cards are for gifts, not payments

  The one rule, the stories scammers tell, and how to try to get your money back.

  Read the guide →
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  Scams and fraudNew

  Pop-up says your computer is infected? Here's what to do

  Close the fake warning safely, spot the phone and email versions, and recover if you called.

  Read the guide →
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  Scams and fraud

  Your family's code word against voice-clone calls

  How the grandparent scam works now, and the two-minute defense.

  Read the guide →

Plain-English how-tos for iPhone and Android: settings that make your phone safer, easier to use, and easier to see and hear.

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  Phones and tabletsNew

  Make your phone easier to see and hear

  Bigger text, live captions, and louder calls on iPhone and Android.

  Read the guide →
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  Phones and tabletsNew

  Set up your Medical ID and emergency contacts

  Step-by-step for iPhone, Google Pixel, and Samsung Galaxy.

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  Phones and tablets

  Silence scam calls on iPhone and Android

  Settings for iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel.

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Passwords, email, and safe browsing, explained step by step.

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  Computers and emailNew

  Passwords you can actually remember

  Passphrases, your phone's built-in password manager, and two-step verification.

  Read the guide →
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  Computers and emailNew

  How to spot a fake email

  Red flags, a quick check, what to do if you clicked, and how to report it.

  Read the guide →

Medicare, patient portals, and video doctor visits: the technology side of your health care.

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  Health and MedicareNew

  Get ready for a video doctor visit

  What to have ready, how to set up, and what to do if the call drops.

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  Health and MedicareNew

  Using your patient portal (like MyChart)

  What a portal does, how to sign up, and safe family access.

  Read the guide →
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  Health and Medicare

  How to spot a Medicare scam

  The golden rule, the red flags, and who to call.

  Read the guide →

Bank safely online, use payment apps without getting burned, and catch fraud early.

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  Money and bankingNew

  Send money safely with Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App

  The one rule, the scams to know, and who to call if something goes wrong.

  Read the guide →
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  Money and bankingNew

  Turn on bank alerts to catch fraud early

  Which alerts to choose, how to set them up, and how to spot fake ones.

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Local resources for Tyler and the surrounding towns: senior discounts, rides, and where to get help.

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  Around East TexasNew

  Getting around: rides for seniors in Smith and Cherokee counties

  Free medical rides, half-price buses, paratransit, and rural GoBus service.

  Read the guide →