Dear Heloise: Three days ago, a woman called me and asked if I had received my new or updated Medicare card. I said I had not, nor had I heard of such a thing. She said I need a new one because my old card was now invalid.

Then she asked me if my card began with a number followed by a letter of the alphabet. I told her it was none of her business. She claimed she had to verify whether I was the person I claimed to be.

I knew this was a scam. She was trying to get my Medicare information, but I refused to give out the information she wanted. What I said to her next is not printable.

My brother called me the following day with a similar story. This is just a letter to alert others of this attempt to trick people into giving out their private Medicare numbers. Please tell people that there is no new Medicare card. — Allison S., Sugarland, Texas

PANTRY BUGS

Dear Heloise: Like it or not, dry goods come with eggs in them, and once they’re in a warm house, they hatch. To stop this, freeze items for at least 24 hours to kill the eggs/larvae, and you won’t have anymore pantry bugs. — Rosemary H., Redlands, California

CASH ON HAND

Dear Heloise: I wanted to respond to J.A.’s suggestion of keeping several month’s worth of cash on hand. Please be aware that your homeowner or renter insurance may have a cap on how much they will reimburse you for cash that gets lost in a fire or another disaster. A fireproof safe is a good option for the storage of cash and other valuable papers. — C.H.A., Fort Wayne, Indiana

C.H.A., yes, it’s handy to have cash on hand, and you should have a little in your wallet. You should also keep a bit under the mattress or hidden somewhere, but the safest way to keep your money is in a bank. Or you can invest it in something where no matter what, the money is not lost.

As for a fireproof safe, even those aren’t as safe as you might think. Many safes aren’t totally fireproof, but smaller safes can be hauled away. — Heloise

THE BEST GIFT EVER

Dear Heloise: Our daughter loves to cook, so she gave us the best gift ever. She cooks enchiladas, chicken breasts, chili, spaghetti sauce, baked potatoes, casseroles of sweet potatoes, hash browns, etc.

Then she brings these to us, and I divide them into servings for me and my husband’s 90-year-old selves. I fill up our 6-foot freezer, then simply and joyously take out dinner each night.

Don’t you agree that this is the best gift ever? — Nancy and Harlan W., Little Rock, Arkansas

DURING THE WINTER DAYS

Dear Heloise: At Christmastime, my church prepares meals for the elderly and those who are sick or financially unable to purchase enough food.

While the dinners are always delicious, I like to add some baked goods such as mini loaves of banana bread, muffins or cookies.

People appreciate the added goodies, but what they really enjoy and crave is being able to talk to someone else.

During these dark winter days, it’s especially important to call family and friends and ask about their lives. It’s even more important to visit them. — Kay P., Sun City, Arizona

PLASTIC SEALS ON CAPS

Dear Heloise: I am responding to J.N., in Ohio, who had difficulty opening bottles with plastic seals around the caps and other items in plastic.

I went to my sewing box and got a seam ripper out. It works great for these items. I keep one in my kitchen drawer and one in my bathroom drawer. — T.M.B., in Iowa

HARD WATER AND TOILETS

Dear Heloise: Living in San Antonio, we struggle with calcium and deposit buildup. I decided to leave a small spray bottle of bathroom cleaner in each bathroom. After we flush, we spray the bowl and the water.

It doesn’t take a lot of effort or time. Make sure you spray it after the last flush before going to work. I waited a few months before writing to you to check its efficacy. No more hard water rings. — S., in San Antonio

A WINTER REMINDER

Dear Readers: On these chilly winter days and nights, please remember to take in your plants and pets. Yes, animals do feel the cold. — Heloise

Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.