Matt Carver

I got a bit tired of having notifications for unread messages coming to my Android phone from Google Buzz. So I took some time to figure out a way to avoid getting hammered with notifications. The solution: create a gmail filter!

1. Login to Gmail
2. Click the “Settings” link on the top-right.
3. Click the “Filters” tab.
4. Click “Create a new filter” link at the bottom
5. In the “Has the words:” box, enter “label:buzz” (without quotes, see attached image)
6. Click “Next step” and click “OK” on the warning box.
7. Check “Mark as read” and “Also apply filter to X conversations below” boxes, Click “Create Filter”

Done!

What this does is mark incoming buzzes to your inbox as “read” so you don’t get notified of unread mail all the time. Some variations are to have it apply a label and/or auto-archive it. Either way, you can enjoy peace again. *An important note: Even with the filter, the Buzz feed link in GMail on the left will still show unreads.

I hate Junk Mail, just more crap to shred.  I also hate Telemarketers, they call at the most inconvenient times and are too desperate.  I wonder what would happen if someone stole my identity…  I think we’ve all said or thought the same things.  After doing a little research, I found a very cost effective method to freeze your credit report from the 3 credit reporting agencies (Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian) for $10.  In addition, you can reduce email spam, telemarketer calls, and Junk Mail for free!  Some people would rather put a fraud alert on their credit reports rather than a freeze.  Fraud alerts are free but offer no real protection, just a notification when credit is opened in your name.  Check some of these links for information on the differences: Google: Fraud vs Alert

Here is the list of things you can do to lock down your credit, reduce spam, reduce telemarketer calls, and reduce junk mail:

1. https://www.optoutprescreen.com :: Opt-Out of Junkmail offers from Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian.  This is a legitimate website from the FTC.
2. http://www.donotcall.gov :: Opt-Out of Telemarketer Calls
3. http://www.dmachoice.org/consumerassistance.php :: Opt-Out of direct mail marketers lists for free.
4. http://www.dmachoice.org/EMPS :: Opt-Out of Email marketers lists for free.
5. https://www.experian.com/consumer/cac/InvalidateSession.do?code=FREEZECENTER :: Freeze your Experian Credit Report for $5.
6. https://www.freeze.equifax.com/Freeze/jsp/SFF_PersonalIDInfo.jsp :: Freeze your Equifax Credit Report for $5.
7. https://annualcreditreport.transunion.com/fa/securityFreeze/landing :: Freeze your TransUnion Credit Report for FREE!

*Most of this information was freely obtained from the FTC website at or from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre17.pdf