Talking on your phone in your Lanai.

[asianthree]

Sadly we have many who are hard of hearing in TV. We just had 3 new neighbors moved in two of which spend hours, yelling into their phone.

This week our neighbor 4 houses down, who is retired IRS, mentioned how clear he could hear their conversations. We have ponds, and prairie behind houses, so sounds really can travel. Today he made a visit welcoming the two new neighbors.

Then politely gave each of them a paper with their social security numbers, and credit card numbers. They were shocked, their voices carried so far, and clearly that anyone could have written down their personal info during phone calls, they made in their lanai.

Fair warning, be careful while outside when giving out your info during a phone call, someone may not be so honest.

[rustyp]

They call them "kissing lanais". Don't seem so lovely in hind-sight.

[asianthree]

They call them "kissing lanais". Don't seem so lovely in hind-sight.

We don’t have kissing lanais, we have open prairie and ponds. Ours is so dense with trees and plants you can’t see any houses across the prairie. The new neighbors are across the prairie 600 to 1000 plus feet away. I can’t tell where houses are it’s so dense

[Topspinmo]

Did you go down tell neighbor you could hear conversations? They might not visit TOTV?
what’s get when move in area packed in like sardines.

[asianthree]

Did you go down tell neighbor you could hear conversations? They might not visit TOTV?
what’s get when move in area packed in like sardines.

Read the first post.

[Stu from NYC]

scary

[MsPCGenius]

Sadly we have many who are hard of hearing in TV. We just had 3 new neighbors moved in two of which spend hours, yelling into their phone.

This week our neighbor 4 houses down, who is retired IRS, mentioned how clear he could hear their conversations. We have ponds, and prairie behind houses, so sounds really can travel. Today he made a visit welcoming the two new neighbors.

Then politely gave each of them a paper with their social security numbers, and credit card numbers. They were shocked, their voices carried so far, and clearly that anyone could have written down their personal info during phone calls, they made in their lanai.


What an excellent way to educate and redirect behaviors....
WIN-WIN
Tell Mr. IRS he rocks!!!

[Shipping up to Boston]

Sadly we have many who are hard of hearing in TV. We just had 3 new neighbors moved in two of which spend hours, yelling into their phone.

This week our neighbor 4 houses down, who is retired IRS, mentioned how clear he could hear their conversations. We have ponds, and prairie behind houses, so sounds really can travel. Today he made a visit welcoming the two new neighbors.

Then politely gave each of them a paper with their social security numbers, and credit card numbers. They were shocked, their voices carried so far, and clearly that anyone could have written down their personal info during phone calls, they made in their lanai.

Fair warning, be careful while outside when giving out your info during a phone call, someone may not be so honest.

So that’s how the IRS does it! :1rotfl:

[CFrance]

Kudos to your neighbor. Instead of complaining, they were trying to be helpful.

[CarlR33]

One would think if they wrote it down it most likely happened more than once since I would not have paper and pen handy and poor memory to boot, LOL

[Altavia]

That's not just the Villages, at our FIL in Palm Beach, you could overhear a neighbor making drug deals...

[FloridaGuy66]

We back on to two lanai's that are around 60 feet away. We have shubbery directly behind our lanai and short trees in our backyard. It definitely makes the sound travel less than when we first moved in. We can't really make out what anyone is saying very clearly.

[asianthree]

Kudos to your neighbor. Instead of complaining, they were trying to be helpful.

He plays in our golf group, really nice guy. He said both couples were devastated he had their first names, CC# numbers and both their SS#.

He gave them sites to monitor SS#, and to contact their CC companies to add alerts.

He said in the year he has been here, he is amazed how many people just blurt out private information in restaurants, grocery and just walking with their phones.

His explanation is diminished hearing equals loud conversation, that is not healthy for your financial safety.

[asianthree]

One would think if they wrote it down it most likely happened more than once since I would not have paper and pen handy and poor memory to boot, LOL

In today’s world you hit record on your phone. That why the warning, anyone with a phone can record personal info from a conversation.

[villagetinker]

I love the solution, that is the most creative one I have ever seen. Fortunately, our lanai faces a street, and the house next door is angled, so we cannot hear each other, but the comments about blurting out personal info in public places is spot on. I have heard a few things that if I knew the people would have been very embarrassing.

[rsmurano]

How do you know they are hard of hearing? There are a lot of inconsiderate people that use their speaker in a crowded area and when using speaker, they have to speak louder.

[Sabella]

How do you know they are hard of hearing? There are a lot of inconsiderate people that use their speaker in a crowded area and when using speaker, they have to speak louder.

It seems that courtesy is something that does not exist anymore. Too many people in the villages think they’re the only person here and have no consideration of courtesy for other people.

[golfing eagles]

He plays in our golf group, really nice guy. He said both couples were devastated he had their first names, CC# numbers and both their SS#.

He gave them sites to monitor SS#, and to contact their CC companies to add alerts.

He said in the year he has been here, he is amazed how many people just blurt out private information in restaurants, grocery and just walking with their phones.

His explanation is diminished hearing equals loud conversation, that is not healthy for your financial safety.

In addition, I find that those with the loudest, most annoying and most shrill voices live right next to a teeing ground when I'm hitting. :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[Rainger99]

When is the last time you gave someone your social security number over the phone?

[GizmoWhiskers]

Sadly we have many who are hard of hearing in TV. We just had 3 new neighbors moved in two of which spend hours, yelling into their phone.

This week our neighbor 4 houses down, who is retired IRS, mentioned how clear he could hear their conversations. We have ponds, and prairie behind houses, so sounds really can travel. Today he made a visit welcoming the two new neighbors.

Then politely gave each of them a paper with their social security numbers, and credit card numbers. They were shocked, their voices carried so far, and clearly that anyone could have written down their personal info during phone calls, they made in their lanai.

Fair warning, be careful while outside when giving out your info during a phone call, someone may not be so honest.
Great neighborly justure. Most people don't think about their voices traveling when outside in their lanais for sure.

Side note, as a former irs agent, perhaps he could call the social security head-quarters and remind them that allowing 2 billion social security numbers to be breached isn't exacly responsible (a little published headline). Bring back the days of old when corruption wasn't rampid. It's so sad.

[crash]

They call them "kissing lanais". Don't seem so lovely in hind-sight.

I was told kissing lanais is the number one reason for at least one move in the Villages.

[MikePgh]

Use the approach I use when people talk on their phones in the bathroom. Start answering any questions that they ask.

[RoseyRed]

:bowdown::bowdown::bowdown:

[Laker14]

I thought they were called kissing lanais because it's a good place to make out.
I guess my neighbors know more than my SS# now.

[asianthree]

When is the last time you gave someone your social security number over the phone?

Medical facilities (doctors, dentist, testing facilities) when you make a new appointment. I always decline until I am at facility with written paperwork. But many don’t.
The only facility that does not require full SS# is “VA” facilities, and then is only “Last Four”.

Most commonly you will hear in TV more CC# blurted out while in public talking on a phone. Maybe it’s a certain older age group, that doesn’t think it could be a problem. Then at that age group is also ripe for the phone scam “your grand______ is in jail send money” or you just won $100,000 send gift cards to claim.

This post was just a heads up on even though TV feels safe, one really needs to keep up their guard, even in your own lanai.

[asianthree]

In addition, I find that those with the loudest, most annoying and most shrill voices live right next to a teeing ground when I'm hitting. :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

No that my friend is intentional… I own this house and you are invading my privacy…:D. That why I choose a prairie, lots of trees and no tee box

[Stu from NYC]

Medical facilities (doctors, dentist, testing facilities) when you make a new appointment. I always decline until I am at facility with written paperwork. But many don’t.
The only facility that does not require full SS# is “VA” facilities, and then is only “Last Four”.

Most commonly you will hear in TV more CC# blurted out while in public talking on a phone. Maybe it’s a certain older age group, that doesn’t think it could be a problem. Then at that age group is also ripe for the phone scam “your grand______ is in jail send money” or you just won $100,000 send gift cards to claim.

This post was just a heads up on even though TV feels safe, one really needs to keep up their guard, even in your own lanai.

I ignore line asking for ss number and nobody has asked for it.

[asianthree]

I ignore line asking for ss number and nobody has asked for it.

Sadly the government still uses full SS# for their medical policy’s, ID# outside of the VA. So my health care, and dental SS# is required or no treatment.

[ThirdOfFive]

How do you know they are hard of hearing? There are a lot of inconsiderate people that use their speaker in a crowded area and when using speaker, they have to speak louder.
It is a known fact that people with hearing deficits do tend to speak louder in conversations.

[Bill14564]

...


Side note, as a former irs agent, perhaps he could call the social security head-quarters and remind them that allowing 2 billion social security numbers to be breached isn't exacly responsible (a little published headline). Bring back the days of old when corruption wasn't rampid. It's so sad.

From the headline and the story it seems the breach had nothing to do with the social security headquarters and involved 2.9B records, not 2.9B SSNs.

Perhaps you could describe the corruption that led to this breach?

[1golfergal]

I was told kissing lanais is the number one reason for at least one move in the Villages.

Exactly why we moved less than one month in house (had a pool so sold FAST!!!)

Could not stand neighbor out on Lanai talking on cell phone..... do people just not get it....???.... Same with people in Restaurants.... I go up to people and tell them to either go outside or tone it down.... SO ANNOYING!!!!!

I will probably get shot one day for doing that.... but I don't want to hear your conversation.... ESPECIALLY if I am way across the room. SMH!!!!!

[Marathon Man]

An excellent warning about something that is often done and never thought about. Thank you from everyone.

[TeresaA]

When is the last time you gave someone your social security number over the phone?

Is he retired military? I still give my SSN over the phone when making an appointment

[rustyp]

Sadly we have many who are hard of hearing in TV. We just had 3 new neighbors moved in two of which spend hours, yelling into their phone.

This week our neighbor 4 houses down, who is retired IRS, mentioned how clear he could hear their conversations. We have ponds, and prairie behind houses, so sounds really can travel. Today he made a visit welcoming the two new neighbors.

Then politely gave each of them a paper with their social security numbers, and credit card numbers. They were shocked, their voices carried so far, and clearly that anyone could have written down their personal info during phone calls, they made in their lanai.

Fair warning, be careful while outside when giving out your info during a phone call, someone may not be so honest.

Or perhaps your IRS retired neighbor has access to the new neighbors info via his previous occupation. How many hours did he have to listen to get a full SS or credit card # ? Then he wrote the info down on a piece of paper and handed it to them. I cannot recall the last time someone asked me for the full #'s VS the last 4 digits over the phone. Story doesn't pass the smell test for me.

[asianthree]

Or perhaps your IRS retired neighbor has access to the new neighbors info via his previous occupation. How many hours did he have to listen to get a full SS or credit card # ? Then he wrote the info down on a piece of paper and handed it to them. I cannot recall the last time someone asked me for the full #'s VS the last 4 digits over the phone. Story doesn't pass the smell test for me.

So old school writing stuff down…who does that? Voice to text very accurate. 5 minute phone call is all it takes. Ok my mom in law write everything down on newspaper or envelopes, but she can’t figure out cellphones, so at 97 it’s expected.

Friday at Havana, for lunch, a lady probably in 80s on her phone gave her CC# making an appointment for HVAC that wasn’t running. One worries about your CC being duplicated, at restaurants. This would be easier for anyone, no CC in hand.

Think any person could press record on their phone, all info captured clearly. This was a post to make people aware of how easy one can make this information public.

[Pennyt]

We have trees and shrubs all around our patio. Yet I can hear the guy one house down from us burp or pass gas. If you are having a conversation on your lanai you are being heard by anyone with normal hearing. The conversation doesn't have to be loud. I say nothing I wouldn't be ok to share with the world when I'm on my lanai. I had a sound expert tell me that if water can come through a barrier so can sound so landscaping doesn't stop sound; it's more of a psychological barrier. Be aware what you say when outside or in public places.

[Freehiker]

My neighbor talks super loud and smokes weed on her lanai.

Stinky.

[Glowing Horizon]

Great neighborly justure. Most people don't think about their voices traveling when outside in their lanais for sure.

Side note, as a former irs agent, perhaps he could call the social security head-quarters and remind them that allowing 2 billion social security numbers to be breached isn't exacly responsible (a little published headline). Bring back the days of old when corruption wasn't rampid. It's so sad.

Doesn’t it make you wonder why we have PIN numbers for bank accounts, credit cards, & even @IRS for taxes but we have no PIN for our social security. The number could simply be expanded from 9 digits to, for instance, 13 digits to allow the each person to assign their own choice of 4 digits.

[Glowing Horizon]

Sadly we have many who are hard of hearing in TV. We just had 3 new neighbors moved in two of which spend hours, yelling into their phone.

This week our neighbor 4 houses down, who is retired IRS, mentioned how clear he could hear their conversations. We have ponds, and prairie behind houses, so sounds really can travel. Today he made a visit welcoming the two new neighbors.

Then politely gave each of them a paper with their social security numbers, and credit card numbers. They were shocked, their voices carried so far, and clearly that anyone could have written down their personal info during phone calls, they made in their lanai.

Fair warning, be careful while outside when giving out your info during a phone call, someone may not be so honest.

Some car’s cell phone calls can also be clearly overheard outside of the car when talking hands-free over the car’s radio. We used that to sometimes play embarrassing tricks on our teenagers. For example, when picking them up from school we loudly say something fantastically fabricated that we knew they wouldn’t want their peers to hear like “yeah Grandma I’m picking up Johnny right now. ok. I’ll tell him to be sure to wear clean underwear tomorrow :0

[Runway48]

I'm surprised by all the talk of giving out SSN for doctor's appointments. Is this unique to FL. I live in NY and I've never had to give out my SSN for a doctor's appointment. They do ask for my Medicare Number and any other gap insurance. If you pay on-line or through the mail, CC#s over the phone are not needed. It is very rare when I would give a CC# over the phone. Some of the more common points of CC# thefts are through doctor's office receptionists and in restaurants. When they walk away with your card you give them the opportunity. It happened to me. Fortunately, I frequently check my CC accounts and caught it before any serious damage was done and immediately ordered a new card. It's the world we live in.

[sdifede313@aol.com]

Read the first post.
Allways remember to make those phone calls in doors!

[Shipping up to Boston]

I wish I was a fly on the wall when the retired IRS individual approached his neighbor.....was it “Hi, I’m from the government and I’m here to help”! :1rotfl: *

*RIP Mr. Reagan

[justjim]

Many of us had large lots prior to retirement. Lots of work to keep our properties in shape that took the better part of a day in some cases. Those days are over - gone! I’ve said this several times on TOTV, “You can pick your house and sometimes your lot but not your neighbors.” I know some friends and acquaintances who enclosed their lanai’s, in some cases, because of neighbors.

As that great philosopher Clint Eastwood once said: “You adapt, improvise, overcome”.

[bsouthworth47@yahoo.com]

[How about going over to their house and talk with them instead of coming on here. Maybe they don't realize that they are so loud all the neighbors can hear them.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Fair warning, be careful while outside when giving out your info during a phone call, someone may not be so honest.

Also remember that there are security systems which are capable of recording voices and conversations, even if there is no motion, the sound triggers the recording. We can easily listen to our neighbor's conversation as he is very loud naturally. . . we have no idea if he is talking on the phone or to another person in the vicinity.

Many thanks as a reminder of the dangers of the modern world which are not in our historical DNA for safety. .

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Had dinner last night at our friends house, whose house is for sale so that they can move into their TV house. The other friends' husband has a friend who was just promoted to detective. The friend at the table asked the new detective "How's the new job?"

His response is that he is amazed at the number of people who have responded to scam phone calls and have delivered money in shoe boxes. . . . :eek: :oops: :oops: :oops: :eek:

[jimbomaybe]

Is he retired military? I still give my SSN over the phone when making an appointment

I don't like to disappoint people , I have willingly given out "my" SS # many times, so many I don't remember . I don't remember the # I gave out ether , I do know they are not the # the IRS has for me

[FredMitchell]

...allowing 2 billion social security numbers to be breached isn't exacly responsible (a little published headline). ...

You are grossly misinformed.

1) The IRS was not the source.
2) There have not yet been 2 billion social security numbers.
3) To even reach 1 billion would require 10 digits.

[thelegges]

[How about going over to their house and talk with them instead of coming on here. Maybe they don't realize that they are so loud all the neighbors can hear them.

Read OP first post. All is explained.

N
Think back to those who posted certain restaurants stole their cc# , did the staff clone the numbers or did someone over hear a conversation while eating. My sister is so trusting she would rattle off those numbers in a heartbeat. And she is only 78

[G.R.I.T.S.]

Sadly we have many who are hard of hearing in TV. We just had 3 new neighbors moved in two of which spend hours, yelling into their phone.

This week our neighbor 4 houses down, who is retired IRS, mentioned how clear he could hear their conversations. We have ponds, and prairie behind houses, so sounds really can travel. Today he made a visit welcoming the two new neighbors.

Then politely gave each of them a paper with their social security numbers, and credit card numbers. They were shocked, their voices carried so far, and clearly that anyone could have written down their personal info during phone calls, they made in their lanai.

Fair warning, be careful while outside when giving out your info during a phone call, someone may not be so honest.

Priceless! And effective!

[fdpaq0580]

Is he retired military? I still give my SSN over the phone when making an appointment

Ex military. SSN came later. I had military ID#. I still remember it. No, I won't tell you what it is. And, no to the jokesters who will ask if it begins with 00.

[LeRoySmith]

Ex military. SSN came later. I had military ID#. I still remember it. No, I won't tell you what it is. And, no to the jokesters who will ask if it begins with 00.

Same, I know it much better than ssn.

[karostay]

Goes with barking dogs
And neighbors who smoke cigars

[Two Bills]

I wear hearing aids.
You should hear some of the things I get to listen too on surrounding restaurant tables.
Worth the price of the meal, just for the entertainment!

[sallyg]

We had a similar situation. What a helpful solution! Of course we don't need to overhear any conversations, and prefer not to! Take your calls inside please.

[SeaCros]

It seems that courtesy is something that does not exist anymore. Too many people in the villages think they’re the only person here and have no consideration of courtesy for other people.

It’s also very inconsiderate when someone is on FaceTime in a public place and the two in the conversation are not even looking at each other and they are just on speaker phone. Folks have just lost their manners and become oblivious to anyone else around them.

[1golfergal]

Medical facilities (doctors, dentist, testing facilities) when you make a new appointment. I always decline until I am at facility with written paperwork. But many don’t.
The only facility that does not require full SS# is “VA” facilities, and then is only “Last Four”.

Most commonly you will hear in TV more CC# blurted out while in public talking on a phone. Maybe it’s a certain older age group, that doesn’t think it could be a problem. Then at that age group is also ripe for the phone scam “your grand______ is in jail send money” or you just won $100,000 send gift cards to claim.

This post was just a heads up on even though TV feels safe, one really needs to keep up their guard, even in your own lanai.

I either write N/A on the form or use 123-45-6789. It is none of their business and they do NOT need it. The only people who need a SS are creditors or the IRS... PERIOD!!!!!

[TVTVTV]

We have trees and shrubs all around our patio. Yet I can hear the guy one house down from us burp or pass gas. If you are having a conversation on your lanai you are being heard by anyone with normal hearing. The conversation doesn't have to be loud. I say nothing I wouldn't be ok to share with the world when I'm on my lanai. I had a sound expert tell me that if water can come through a barrier so can sound so landscaping doesn't stop sound; it's more of a psychological barrier. Be aware what you say when outside or in public places.

Spot on! Maybe that's why our neighbors aren't chummy with us and vice versa! I know SO much info about our neighbors that they would never discuss with others. Cell phone conversations, regular conversations, disagreements, and SEEING people pick body areas like no one can see them (hello guys). No, we don't have kissing lanais, but just have neighbors lanais or windows nearby close enough to hear and see what I'd rather not.

[Shipping up to Boston]

As I read all of these testimonials I come up with a couple of conclusions. Hearing loss in the Villages appears to be a non issue with its ‘listening’ population. Secondly, who needs the government when we could deputize citizen Villagers and avoid the FISA applications with the courts! :1rotfl:

[asianthree]

I either write N/A on the form or use 123-45-6789. It is none of their business and they do NOT need it. The only people who need a SS are creditors or the IRS... PERIOD!!!!!

Until the government changes their healthcare ID from SS# to random numbers one doesn’t have a choice.

Then again you can choose not to go to the dentist, or any doctor, or hospital. Because your ID Is your SS#, without it your only option to not give them SS# is bring Lots Of Cash.

Be glad you don’t have to deal with government based insurance, and have that choice

[PugMom]

Or perhaps your IRS retired neighbor has access to the new neighbors info via his previous occupation. How many hours did he have to listen to get a full SS or credit card # ? Then he wrote the info down on a piece of paper and handed it to them. I cannot recall the last time someone asked me for the full #'s VS the last 4 digits over the phone. Story doesn't pass the smell test for me.

it's medical appts. if you ever have to see a new doctor, or specialist, the officer frequently asks for full #

[DAVES]

Sadly we have many who are hard of hearing in TV. We just had 3 new neighbors moved in two of which spend hours, yelling into their phone.

This week our neighbor 4 houses down, who is retired IRS, mentioned how clear he could hear their conversations. We have ponds, and prairie behind houses, so sounds really can travel. Today he made a visit welcoming the two new neighbors.

Then politely gave each of them a paper with their social security numbers, and credit card numbers. They were shocked, their voices carried so far, and clearly that anyone could have written down their personal info during phone calls, they made in their lanai.

Fair warning, be careful while outside when giving out your info during a phone call, someone may not be so honest.

Sounds like the problem is solved. Far as privacy, it was lost years ago. Imagine you know he is a retired IRS agent. We all know the IRS is your friend-don't we?

[DAVES]

it's medical appts. if you ever have to see a new doctor, or specialist, the officer frequently asks for full #

Perhaps why ID theft is so common. A doctor's office for example how many people have access to your personal information. Likely 100's

[fdpaq0580]

In addition, I find that those with the loudest, most annoying and most shrill voices live right next to a teeing ground when I'm hitting. :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Ear plugs? 🙉

[fdpaq0580]

Goes with barking dogs
And neighbors who smoke cigars

I feel your pain!

[rustyp]

it's medical appts. if you ever have to see a new doctor, or specialist, the officer frequently asks for full #

Are they also asking for a full credit card # on the same call - if so and you provide it you deserve to get scammed ! Identity theft handed to the thieves on a silver platter. What is the real purpose of the thread ? To protect the hard of hearing or to stop annoying noise level in a community that is designed with houses that are at arms length to each other. I suspect the latter. I believe quiet hours are between 10 pm and dawn.

[JMintzer]

it's medical appts. if you ever have to see a new doctor, or specialist, the officer frequently asks for full #

If they do, you can easily give it to them, in writing, upon arrival @ your appointment.

I have NEVER been asked for my SS# when making a Dr's appointment...

But I am old enough to remember when your college ID# was your SS#, and they posted your exam results on a public board, using your SS#...

[JMintzer]

Perhaps why ID theft is so common. A doctor's office for example how many people have access to your personal information. Likely 100's

100's???

My office has 3, including me...