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6-year-old treats mom to monthly 'dinner date' with chore money
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Watch out ladies a dashing young gentleman is about to steal your heart. - photo by Jessica Ivins
MONROE, Michigan Watch out, ladies a dashing young gentleman is about to steal your heart.

The catch: Hes only 6, and he really only has eyes for the No. 1 woman in his life his mom.

Once a month, Lyle Drummonds loads up his wallet with hard-earned chore money, puts on a nice shirt and steals his mother 22-year-old MTV reality star Nikkole Paulun away for a special dinner date.

He opens the door for me, pulls out my chair, talks about his day and asks me how mine was and even tips the waiter or waitress, Paulun wrote in a Facebook post, which included a picture of her little man counting out money at a restaurant.

Paulun told ABC News the pair began their monthly date tradition four months ago, and she uses the special time with her son to teach him about manners, money management and the importance of treating women with kindness and respect.

I see so many girls I know get treated badly, and I wanted to make sure my son didnt grow up to be like that, she told ABC. I suggested we start doing mommy-son dates and he loved the idea, and still does.

In her Facebook post about the dates which has garnered nearly 3 million likes and 500,000 shares Paulun points out that the pair agreed on a strict no electronics policy during their dinners.

We put our phone and iPad away (except to take this photo) and sit and talk to each other about our days, things we want to do, etc. she wrote. Im teaching him proper table manners and that its rude to sit on your phone on a date with your mom or anyone else.

Paulun told ABC her son loves the opportunity to get some one-on-one time with mom, and that the manners lessons seem to be making an impact. Shell often catch Lyle practicing politeness at school or at the store.

He will ask people who come over questions about their day or their life, she said. Its so cute.

Paulun said that while the dates are a lot of fun, she takes their meaning very seriously.

Yes, he is young, but I believe this is something he should learn now, she wrote. Its never too early to teach your child how to properly respect others, especially women. Too many men these days have no idea how to treat women or how to take them on a nice date. Its nice to know my son wont be one of them.
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New Medicare cards are in the mail and scammers are on the prowl
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has begun mailing new Medicare Health Insurance ID cards. The program no longer uses Social Security numbers to identify people. - photo by Lois M Collins
The federal government is beginning to send out new ID cards to the 58 million Americans who benefit from Medicare. But since many of the people who will receive them don't know they're coming or why, scammers are already gearing up to take advantage.

An AARP survey shows as many as three-fourths of Americans 65 and older have no idea the cards are coming, so some individuals may be duped with claims that they're supposed to pay a fee or provide personal information that will be used, instead, to defraud them.

The new cards are the first reissue in years, and the most striking part of the redesign is that the cards no longer carry the beneficiary's Social Security number. Congress mandated the removal of that number as an identifier for Medicare beneficiaries by next April. Instead, the card has a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier number, an 11-digit combination of numbers and letters.

The new Medicare cards are now being mailed out in batches, starting with the Eastern seaboard and moving west. Most Medicare beneficiaries will receive their cards over the next six months, as long as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has their correct mailing address. Once the cards are in hand, people can share the new identification number with their health care providers. During a transition period, either card is valid.

The old cards, which used Social Security numbers as the personal identification number, should be destroyed.

AARP recently launched an education campaign to warn consumers about scams related to the new Medicare cards.

The membership organization's "Fraud Watch" consultant, Frank Abagnale reformed con man, scammer and the subject of the movie and book "Catch Me If You Can" tells senior citizens the only time they need to carry the actual Medicare card is to health care appointments. Otherwise, it should be left in a safe place. If they want to carry one in their wallet or purse, he says, make a copy and black out the first seven numbers.

Since the cards were announced, scammers have already:

  • Called seniors and asked for their bank account information so that money on their old card could be returned. There is no money on the old card and CMS never asks for personal information over the phone.
  • Offered to send the new card after Medicare beneficiaries pay a $25 fee to cover expenses related to the card. The card is free.
  • Said the card will be mailed out as soon as the older person verifies his or her Social Security number, mailing address and other personal information. CMS already knows the beneficiary's Social Security number and it's no longer being used in conjunction with health care.
AARP and the Federal Trade Commission will hold a free online seminar about the cards and the fraud attempts they have spawned on Thursday, April 19, at 7 p.m. EDT. Register at: www.aarp.org/FraudWebinar. CMS also offers a "frequently asked questions" guide to the new cards.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network says consumers can sign up for its Watchdog Alert emails that deliver breaking scam information, or call a free helpline at 877-908-3360 to speak with volunteers trained in fraud counseling. Abagnale also hosts a weekly podcast for AARP, called The Perfect Scam.
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