Last week’s post about AI vs developers was serious stuff. Today I want to share two recent experiences that have nothing to do with AI.
What happened to my ID?
This week a person claiming to be a customs official called me. He alleged that there was a problem with a parcel I sent. I hesitated for a moment, because I recently posted three parcels in the UK. But then I remembered that they had already been delivered. So I knew it was a scam call.
I’ve had scam emails about parcels that I’ve never sent or expected. But this is the first time I’ve had a scam call. What upset me was that the caller had my name, surname, cell number and ID number.
I shouldn’t be so surprised. There have been many data breaches of SA companies. I don’t know which breach exposed my ID number, and there is nothing I can do about it.
The truth is that our online security is at the mercy of others. But we should still do what we can. So this is a reminder to practise password hygiene.
What happened to my trolley?
The second thing was more entertaining.
Lewis and I went grocery shopping the other day. I’d almost finished when I rembered that I needed something on the other side of the store. I parked my full trolley and walked back to get the item. I do this sometimes, because it is easier than manoevering the trolley between shoppers.
When I came back to where I had parked my trolley, it was gone. So I started looking for it. First I thought I had forgotten where I parked it. I walked up and down all the aisles and didn’t find it. Lewis came to help, and also walked up and down the aisles. At last we found a woman who had accidentally taken my trolley. It was not an easy mistake to make, because my trolley was almost full and hers was completely empty! Why did she make that mistake? Because she was chatting on her cell phone and not paying attention to what she was actually doing.
She was very apologetic and we all laughed. But this is a valuable reminder.
Easter weekend is coming up, and lots of people will be travelling. And lots of those drivers will be talking on their cell phones, and even sending messages. Don’t do that! We’ve all had road rage when a driver does something idiotic while talking on their cell phone. Don’t be that driver.
And don’t think that you are better at such multi-tasking. Research shows that, even if you use a handsfree device, talking while you drive affects your response time. You are not superman or superwoman or superperson. You are human. You have the same limitations as the rest of us.
So don’t be like the trolley thief. Be safe next Easter weekend.
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