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Dad uses Snapchat to transform baby son into cartoon characters and superheroes
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Snapchat has had a great year in terms of reputation. And part of that is thanks to people creating funny pictures, like SNAPDAD. - photo by Herb Scribner
This year has been a big one for Snapchat.

Many originally saw the app as a problematic social media network and yes, there are some dangers that parents should be aware of but Snapchat has slowly transformed into a news aggregator and highly popular app for many Americans.

In fact, Snapchat became the third most popular social media app among millennials this year, with only Facebook and Instagram ahead of it, Business Insider reported. The app itself has a $16-$19 billion valuation, too.

Many millennials told Business Insider they enjoy the app because it allows people to share quick moments of their lives with others without too much negative feedback, and it gives users an outlet for funny pictures.

"I like sharing weird things I see when I'm out, videos of friends being funny, photos with text that I'll post as stories when I have news to share, or ugly selfies, one user told Business Insider. When you get ugly selfies from someone, that's how you know you're good friends."

Parents have even hopped on the Snapchat train. Ive written before about how moms and dads alike have used the app to stay in touch with their families.

But few have been more impressive than SNAPDAD.

SNAPDAD is the name of a Tumblr blog that features pictures of a baby boy, Felix, who has been transformed into various characters by his father, Lukas Costeur, a graphic designer from Belgium.

The reworked Snapchat photos, several of which you can see in the slideshow below, turn baby Felix into a variety of different characters from pop culture, politics and news events. Most of the snaps also have a witty and punny caption.

See some of the photos in the slideshow below. For more, visit BoredPandas report on the snaps and the Tumblr blog itself.
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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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