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Identity Theft: Highway Robbery
Identity theft puts anyone in panic mode. It’s a growing problem, especially for those lucky RV travelers and full-timers who are Out There most of the time. You already know you’re in jeopardy when using public wi-fi spots. Much has been written about protecting your data. What else can you do?
* Periodically check your credit rating. Often it’s the first clue that someone is running up charges your name. Thieves have gotten home mortgages, new cars and even medical care by using someone else’s good credit. Major companies are Equifax, (800) 525-6285 ; Experian, (800) 301-7195 or creditexpert.com and Trans Union, (800) 680-7289 or transunion.com. Their policies differ, so choose the one that best suits you. Then get one free report a year. The report may show that your credit was ruined by someone who has stolen your name and account numbers. You can also freeze your credit.
When you get the report, check it over for errors. Even a tiny blip such as a slight difference in a phone number or email address is a red flag. Update as necessary. Law suits older than seven years or a bankruptcy more than ten years ago can be expunged from your record. Look too for duplications. The same debt may be listed twice, or your report may reflect the debts of someone who has the same name as yours.
* Credit card companies sometimes send out blank checks printed with your name, address, and account number in hopes that you’ll use them and increase your credit card debt. Don’t throw them out with the trash. Burn or shred them so they don’t fall into other hands.
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| Burning is not always an option |
* Burning papers is rarely an option any more. Campfires and even candles are verboten in some areas. This trick might work for you if you don’t carry a shredder on board. Sit down with two waste baskets or containers. Tear sensitive papers into small pieces, and place half the pieces in each basket. Then empty the baskets on different days into different trash bags.
* Remove address labels from all books, catalogues and magazines before placing them in campground “share” boxes.
* Don’t have your mail forwarded to a future address until you scope out the security situation at the destination. If a campground throws all incoming mail into the same, help-yourself bin, anyone can rummage through it. Consider using General Delivery instead. You can use it the same post office for up to 30 days. Your mail is held at the GPO until you call for it at the post office and show ID. Of course, the main PO is usually in the heart of the city, so use smaller post offices and substations to avoid parking problems.
See Janet Groene’s RV-ready recipes at CampAndRVCook.blogspot.com
Canned and packaged foods are good travel insurance.
Even a day trip can turn into a longer-than-planned, hungry and even
life-threatening adventure. For a book on provisioning your camper, boat, cabin or fish camp with
familiar, affordable pantry foods from the supermarket see Survival Food Handbook, published by International Marine division of McGraw-Hill. http://amzn.to/1WdYqbe
CAMPGROUNDS; GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS
We gather these late breaking news reports from our local sources such as real estate records and zoning changes. Information may be premature or incomplete. It's up to you to follow up as the story develops. Listings are by state or province.
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| It's State Fair Season |
RED ALERT. Springfield, Illinois spills over with visitors during its state fair, scheduled this year for August 8-18. So the IDNR is offering two nights free camping in 13 state parks that are within a 30-minute drive of the city. The catch? You have to sign up before July 3 to make reservations and buy your state fair ticket. Check into your campsite any time between August 22 and check out by August 16.. Additional camping days can be purchased. To see details of the Stay and Play deal go to (www.) statefair.illinois.gov
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| Dinosaur Valley RV Park |
* Mark your calendar to hear Ryan Glenn in person at the Dinosaur Valley RV Park, Glen Rose, Texas on August 31. The North Texas singer-songwriter is only 22 but he’s already making headlines with his band, The Honky Tonk Heat and their rockabilly, country and Texas Blues sounds. The campground has acres of RV sites with full hook-ups. The pool and clubhouse are the scene of frequent shows and events. (888) 996-3466
* In Union Township, outside New Castle, Pennsylvania, county planners haven’t yet put their OK on the plan for a new development, so keep your fingers crossed. A new regional attraction for western Pennsylvania and northeastern Ohio, if approved, will include a large marketplace, modular homes, and 146 RV sites as well as cabins, yurts, pickleball courts, a dog park, mini-golf and a two-mile-long lazy river. No completion date has been projected and more approvals have yet to be met. Stay tuned.
* Here’s good news for KOA groupies. The new Calcutta/West Point KOA Journey is in Lisbon, Ohio, the heart of an historic tourism triangle east of Cleveland/Akron, west of Pittsburgh and south of West Virginia. Check into a deluxe RV site with 50-amp service, Wi-Fi, cable TV, a camp store and a K9 dog park. See https://koa.com/campgrounds/calcutta/
* Caesar Ford Park in Xenia, Ohio
was already a Class A destination for concerts, disc golf and miles of
leafy trails. Now it's also a Class A destination for RV travelers.
Phase One is open at the Caesar Ford Campground with 200 newly planted
trees on the former farm field. They'll someday shade the 12 new, full
hook-up campsites. There’s also a picnic pavilion and a shower house.
Phase Two will include more campsites and a playground. Contact Greene
County Parks at (www/) gcparkstrails.com
* Also in the Buckeye State, see Ohio landscape arts in a special art-and-artist show at Hocking Hills State Park Lodge & Conference Center, Logan, Ohio, July 3-August 7. The program features artist talks and demonstrations. See details and schedules for artist appearances at https://ohiodnr.gov/home/news-and-events/all-events/parks-wc-events/arts-in-the-parks/ The park’s campground has hot showers, flush toilets, a laundry, dump station, playground, horseshoes, volleyball and a camp store. Campsites have full or partial hook-ups. Go to ReserveOhio.com/
* Sign up for two days of camping, rockin’, sockin’ music and tubing in a cool river. The AmeriServ Flood City Music Festival is scheduled for July 26-27 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Held since 1989, the yearly celebration features a nonstop schedule of music artists. The $60 camping deal is for two nights and includes round trip shuttles to the festival site and unlimited Coal Tubin’ on the Stonycreek River. The campground has flush toilets only during office hours and portables otherwise. There are no showers. All campsites have fire pits. Camping is sold separately from festival tickets. For details and updates on this year’s talent lineup see https://www.floodcitymusic.com/
* The BLM’s Pyramid Ridge Campground &Trailhead, Cedar City Utah, is about to get a makeover and 10 to 15 more campsites. By Phase 2 of the project, which is scheduled for completion next year, there will be an additional vault toilet. Sitting at a altitude of 6,000 feet, campsites have a picnic table and fire ring but no water, electric nor dump station. Cell service is iffy. Reserve with recreation.gov/
* Get a free RV site and other perks in the state of Washington. Parks are looking for seasonal workers who bring their own living quarters (RV or boat). There’s a need for campground hosts, interpretive guides and marina hosts. You need application forms including a background check. Go to parks.volunteer@parks.wa.gov/
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