#it's a messaging service...? and you need people's phone number to text them...? so contacts do make the most sense ?

[yume-fanfare]

? someone in the tags of the contact syncing post complained about whatsapp doing so and i feel like we have fundamentally different usages of the app

[moody-alcoholic]

Chapter 1 - The Job.

I just don't know when to stop, if I don't have like 20 projects going at once I get bored. I waited until I had a name though, no longer will I be titling everything 'untitled XYZ fic. It was actually my fiancée who came up with the name.

Work summary: 141 retired and decided to open a delivery company. Only it's not a delivery company, it's a cover for less legal practices. Need a creepy stalker out your life? Someone owes you money? You need to disappear to a new life? Special Delivery Service has got you covered, for a reasonable fee.

Chapter Summary: 5.5k words, Simon x reader, female reader, name used: Dani (this is just personal preference, I don't like using Y/N.) You accept a job offer to work as an office admin for a commercial delivery company. Only the job is not quite as it seems and you come to learn neither are the people you work for.

CW: mentions of abusive ex, alcohol, language, flashbacks of domestic abuse.

masterlist - next

AO3 link

Enjoy <3

You see the job listing towards the bottom of the page: 

Office admin wanted! To start immediately. MUST have a background in logistics.  Send CV to: Price@SDS.co.uk Competitive salary. 

It was short, sweet, to the point and the most promising job posting you had seen all day. You had a background in logistics, you’d just spent the last 3 years working as a supply chain manager. Mainly it was just organising warehouse deliveries but it was experience none the less. You copy the e-mail and send the CV, with a job posting like this you didn’t expect to hear a response back for a few days.

It was already 8pm you’d been applying for jobs all day. You decided to give up for tonight, the sofa and the TV were calling you. You head into the kitchen rummaging through the fridge to see what sad meal you would cook up tonight. You pull out a box of Chinese leftovers, they still smell good. You tip them on a plate throwing it in the microwave as you pour yourself a glass of wine. Turning the TV on channel surfing when your phone starts ringing, you go to pick it up. It’s not a number you know but you swallow your nerves accepting it in case it’s about a job. 

“Hello?” You say.

“Hello is this Dani” A male voice comes through the other end.

“Yeah,” You reply feeling nervous all of a sudden, you sip the wine. 

“You applied for the office admin job?” The voice says back. You have to think for a second, he can’t mean the job you literally applied for less then 10 minutes ago. You look back over at the laptop screen the e-mail still open.

“Hello?” the voice says.

“Yes, sorry yeah, wow I didn’t expect to hear back so quickly.”

“Yeah, we need someone to start immediately, can you come down for an interview tomorrow?” 

“Sure what time?” You ask, you need this job, you need to get back on your feet. 

“I’ll message you the time, and the address.” He says, you hear noise in the background sounds like a door slamming.

“Thank you,” you say as you hear the microwave beep. 

“No problem, see you tomorrow.” He says and hangs up the phone. You take your food out the microwave and flop down on the sofa tuning into whatever soap was playing on the TV. You’re halfway through your food when you get a text with the address and a time. 10am. You copy the address and put it into google, now is a better time then ever to find out about this company. Special Delivery Service, SDS, you don’t know why that makes you chuckle, it makes you think of DFS, the sofa company. The address is close by only a few streets actually, you could walk there in about 20 minutes, that’s convenient at least. From the looks of the website it’s a commercial delivery company. ‘Discretion is our specialty’ it says as you continue reading, there is not much info just how to contact them for a quote. The pictures are mainly stock images bar the logo.

You’d never heard of them before but it’s not exactly like you’re in the market for commercial deliveries, it has good ratings though, that means something. You throw the phone to the side turning back to the TV. This was good, this is a good start it’s what you need to move on, maybe even a fresh start. It feels like the right time, newly out of toxic relationship, made redundant, all in less then a month.

Maybe you could use a nice change of pace, or maybe you would go to the interview tomorrow and it will be a complete waste of time. Either way it’s a step in the right direction and at least your mum will be happy you’ve found a job, you’re pretty sure she was dreading the thought of having to financially support you until you were back on your feet. Now you were definitely hoping the interview would will go well, the thought of having to rely on your mother to support you was the worst. You would rather ask your ex, Lord knows he owes you one. You finish the food and lounge around watching TV until you start to dose off. You peal yourself off the couch heading into bed, a good nights rest will do you good, besides you want to make a good impression tomorrow. 

—————————— 

You get to the building early, it’s sunny weather for once and you can see the large doors to the building flung open. You peak in and see delivery vans, the whole place looks like it was an ex-mechanic shop. A figure catches the corner of your eye, he’s talking to another man walking across the floor, you can’t hear what they’re saying but the shorter man seems enthusiastic about something. Before you can get a better look they disappear out of your line of sight. You look over to what you assume is the customer entrance, and walk in. There is a man sat behind the counter, he seems distracted by something angrily typing on a computer. He sighs as you reach the desk, his eyes flicking up to you, he scoots back in the chair.

“How can I help?” He asks, his demeanour changing, he’s got a nice smile. 

“I’m here for an interview,” You say suddenly feeling nervous. He nods getting up.

“Yeah of course, come through.” He says opening a hidden door in the counter and you walk though. He leads you through to the main room it still smells of fuel, this place definitely used to be a mechanic shop, you can see the covered up pits on the floor where they would access under the cars.

Your attention is drawn to the sound of laughing and you see the two men from earlier stood round a coffee machine. The taller man has his back turned to you while the shorter man is chuckling, hitting the taller man on the back. His eyes move to you, he’s fit, well built, tanned skin, he runs his hand through his slick mohawk, you could have swore he just winked at you. You turn your attention back to the man leading you as you reach a metal staircase.

The second floor-if you can even call it that-is furnished with sofa’s and a kitchenette, you can see a dart board and what looks like a pool table. Looks like a cool place to hangout. You feel bad for not asking the man his name as he leads you an office door. He knocks and you both wait. 

“Come in!” a voice calls, you think you recognise it, its the same person you spoke to on the phone yesterday. The door opens and you walk in. You look at the man sat behind the desk, he looks older then the other people you’ve seen, his beard makes him look older then you suspect for some reason, you can see the bags under his eyes like he could do with long nap.

“Thanks Kyle,” He says as you walk in. Okay, his name was Kyle you’d have to remember that. He nods leaving the room closing the door behind you. The man behind the desk gets up as you walk over to him. He comes round putting his hand out for you to shake it.

“John Price,” he says as he nods at you smiling. You nod back.

“Sit please, coffee? Tea?” He gestures to the chair and walks back round the desk. 

“I’m fine, thank you.” You look up at him smiling as you sit down. His office walls are massive windows looking down on the room below you can see people moving around now opening the back of the vans. You look back up at him as he takes a paper in his hand. 

“3 years as a supply chain manager, studied business in college, pretty impressive.” He says putting the paper back down. 

“Thank you,” you say, not that it’s really that impressive the only reason you did a business course was to make your parents happy. You had no idea what you wanted to do when you finished secondary school. 

“So do you have any experience in warehouse management?” He asks leaning forward on the desk. 

“Well at my last job towards the end, there was a lot of inventory organisation and I was pretty much left in charge of clearing the whole place out before the business went under.” You say, you’re not sure if that’s what he’s expecting, to be honest with the little research you managed to do and the vague job posting you were not sure what to expect. 

“The jobs pretty simple. There are three main aspects, the first is the most important; the clients send us a list of good they need transporting, it’ll be your job to assign it to a driver then create the invoices, paperwork, the system is already pretty automatic. A lot of it is just data entry if I’m being honest.” You smile at him as he continues, so far it seems like a pretty easy job. 

“The second part is when a client sends a special request, the system is not set up to handle them yet so they can come through as errors, with just an e-mail address attached. If you can assign them to someone great if not forward them on to me. The system will let you know if a driver has available delivery slots.” You nod as he finishes, you could handle this, data entry, assigning jobs to people, easy. 

“Sounds good so far.” You reply. He nods. 

“The last part is just your general office admin work, you’ll man the front desk, answer the phone, the boys will tell you if they need supplies ordering that kind of stuff. The hours are standard 9 to 5, 5 days a week, we’re closed Saturday Sunday.” He says spinning round in his chair and taking some paper from the printer. 

“I live close by actually it’s really convenient.” You say. 

“That’s nice, if you want the job I have a contract ready, you can start tomorrow then you’ll have the weekend off.” He says spinning back round straightening the paper out. That’s sudden, the job did say start immediately though, and you really need this job. 

“Of course, that’s great.” You say smiling, hoping he can’t see your hesitation. He pushes the stack of papers towards you, you flick through the first few pages of standard workers rights. 

“You’ll get 2 weeks paid vacation a year, sick leave and maternity leave should you need it kick in after a month of probation.” He explains, pretty standard. You flick through it to the end page with the salary break down. Holy shit! 

“The job requires a certain level of…Discretion.” He explains. “You’re compensated for the inconvenience.” 

“What like I can’t tell people were I work?” You ask confused. He looks at you like he’s trying to think of what to say. 

“We have clients who expect their information to be handled, appropriately. On top of that some of your colleagues like to keep their work and home life separate.” He says eventually, you frown. That’s strange and he didn’t answer your question. You nod like you understand though, regardless you’ll take the 'hush money.' Especially since you’ll be making more then you’ve never made for what is basically a data entry job, and maybe having to answer the phone a few times. It almost seems to good to be true. You skim over the rest of the legal jargon and company rules. 

“Any questions?” He asks as you pick up a pen, you shake your head and sign both pieces of the paper, then hand it to him. He smiles signing it too and ripping off one of the pages handing it back to you. 

“One last thing.” He says hesitating for a second. “Do you have a criminal record?” 

“No,” you shake your head. He stands nodding and you get up too, as he walks round the desk, heading for the door to his office and you follow him. 

“I’ll get one of the boys to show you round before you leave.” He says opening the door.

“MacTavish!” He calls as you follow him out the room. You watch as a man appears at the bottom of the steps, it’s the guy from earlier who was laughing. He’s defiantly good looking there’s no denying it. 

“Come show our new recruit around.” He nods coming up the stairs. 

“If you have any questions let me know and I’ll e-mail you a full copy of your contract.” John says as he puts his hand out and you shake it. 

“I will thank you,” you smile and he heads back into his office. 

“John MacTavish!” The man says extending his hand out to you, he’s got an accent for a second you look at him confused.

“Another John?” You ask as you shake his hand. 

“Aye, most people call me Johnny though.” He winks. Now you’re sure he winked at you earlier. He walks round you over to the sofa’s and the pool table. 

“This is where we chill out between deliveries, or just in general. Do you play?” He asks pointing at the pool table. 

“Once or twice, at the pub.” You say. You’re still trying to pin his accent, Welsh or Scottish? You’re too embarrassed to ask. He comes back over to you and you see he’s walking with a limp, it’s especially obvious as you follow him down the steps and he has to grip the banister for support. 

“This is were we load the vans up with anything we need, toilets over there and next to them is the store room.” He says pointing to the rooms directly under the upstairs office. There are metal shelves filled with all different kinds of things from basic office supplies to what looks like medical equipment and machinery. The store room door is the only door you’ve seen with a key-code lock on it, makes sense. There is a long table surrounded by chairs and a projector against a far wall. You look over to see another man sat at the table typing on a laptop. 

“This is Simon, Simon Riley.” Johnny says as he takes you over. He’s wearing a hoodie pulled over his head and a black surgical mask. Maybe he’s a clean freak? Or maybe this was what John meant by ‘Your colleagues like to keep their work and home life separate.’ You extend your hand out too him as you approach. 

“Nice to meet you.” You say, he looks up at you for a second. His eyes are beautiful, a dark caramel, thick eyebrows and you can see strands of blonde hair peaking out from under his hood. He shakes your hand, his grip is firm, you swallow hard. He’s giving off a different vibe then the rest of the people you’ve met so far, you almost want to run away from him. 

“Don’t worry about him he’s always grumpy in the morning.” Johnny says leaning into your ear. Simon rolls his eyes and turns his attention back to typing on the laptop. John, Johnny, Simon and Kyle, you repeat the names in your head so they’re burned into your memory. Johnny continues his tour showing you round the main floor, you were right as he explained the building used to be a mechanics until they took it over. Before that it was an abandoned munitions processing plant from the second world war. The building did look old, stylish red brick, huge arched windows that let in a lot of natural light. The doors were even old on rollers, thick and wooden. The more you looked around the more it reminded you of the old workhouses you’d seen in history books. Johnny leads you through to the lobby, the only part of the building that seems to have been renovated in the last 10 years. 

“This is Kyle Garrick, we call him Gaz.” Johnny says as Kyle stands up and you shake his hand. He’s fit too, dark skinned, short hair and he’s got a lovely smile, London accent you can tell he’s local too. 

“This will be where you work.” Johnny says pulling the chair out. 

“I’m sure Price will give you the rundown tomorrow on how the system works, we’re still working on getting it up and running properly.” Johnny says enthusiastically. You nod looking round at the desk, there is a large printer/photocopier in the corner and a plant that looks like it’s seen better days. At least the computer is up to date and honestly you can work with this. 

“So nervous for your first day?” Johnny asks as Kyle sits back down. 

“Not really.” You say smiling. 

“Good lass, that’s what we like to hear!” Johnny says patting you on the shoulder. Scottish, definitely Scottish. Kyle chuckles as he goes back to typing on the computer. You feel like now is the best time to take your leave. You thank Johnny and tell them both you’ll see them tomorrow. 

“Wait a second lass, here.” Johnny reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a business card.

“Any questions drop me a message.” He smiles. You nod pocketing the card and heading out. You look back at the building as you leave seeing Johnny wave, you wave back awkwardly. Why would anyone care about keeping there home and work life separate when you work for a simple delivery company? You think back to Simon with the mask, maybe he’s just hygienic? Regardless it was a good job, close to home and good pay. You wouldn’t have to rely on your mum or your ex to get you through the month. At least that was a weight off your shoulders.  

—————————— 

Later that evening your mother calls.

“Hey mum.” You say as you reluctantly pick up the call, not really feeling in the mood for her energetic energy, especially after Johnny’s enthusiastic tour.   

“Hey sweetie! I was just thinking about you today and I thought I would call to tell you, Anne from church has a job opening at her son’s restaurant. You know Chris? He works at that nice Italian place, well I said you were looking for a job and Anne said she would put in a good word.” You sigh as you let your mother talk. 

“It’s okay mum I got a job today actually. I went for an interview and they offered me the job on the spot.” You say.

“Oh sweetie that’s amazing where is it?” She asks, you pause, maybe telling your over sharing mother about a job you were warned required discretion was not the best idea. 

“It’s just a small firm in the city centre, they were looking for a logistical analyst.” You say lying through your teeth. 

“Oh well that sounds fancy, I hope it pays well if you’ll have to be trudging into the centre of London everyday.” You hear her chuckle.

“It does mum don’t worry, I start tomorrow actually.” 

“That’s fantastic, I’m sure you’ll do great.” 

“Thanks mum.” You say smiling. There’s a pause on the line.

“Have you spoken to Joe?” She asks, you sigh. 

“No mother I have not spoken to him since we broke up.” You reply bitterly wanting to end the conversation now.  

“He’s been asking about you, you blocked him or ignored him or something but sweetie I think you should talk to him he misses you.” You sigh, of course he’s turned on your mum, your sweet mother who couldn’t hurt a fly and always sees the best in people. Even toxic abusers. 

“I’ll think about it mum, look I have to go I have an early start tomorrow.” You say.

“Okay well get a good rest and good luck for tomorrow I love you.” She says.

“I love you too,” you reply and hang up.

That night you dream of your ex. You’re still with him trapped in the cycle of wake, make him happy, work, make him happy, sleep, repeat. The verbal abuse, the physical abuse, the days he would lock you in the bathroom for hours on end.

You took the lock off the door when he moved out. You’re not sure why it just felt like the right thing to do. You bought a deadbolt for the front door and no longer sleep with the windows open, fearing he could scale the apartment building to get to you. That’s what he does in your dreams, he gets around all the precautions you put in place. You dream of him being in your space, questioning everything you do, insisting on checking your phone and e-mails, even your work ones. Anytime a male’s name came up he would grill you about it for hours, no matter what you said it always felt like he never believed you. But then he would make you feel good, take you to the bedroom and treat you like a princess and it was like he was a different person. 

‘He’s just protective sweetie’ your mother says. ‘He loves you.’ The bruises on your arm would say otherwise, wearing turtle necks in summer became your fashion statement for at least a year. ‘He probably doesn’t mean it have you tried talking to him?’ Your brother was no better, to busy with uni to care, too much of a mans man to understand. He’s gone now though and that’s what you have to remember, it’s easier said then done. 

 —————————— 

The next morning you show up early. Your body feels heavy after the restless night. You walk in seeing John bent over Kyle’s shoulder as their looking at something on the computer behind the counter. 

“Hey, maybe you can figure this out, we’ve been trying to get these documents to copy over and it’s just not working.” Price says as he steps back you walk round watching Kyle trying to drag and drop a file into a folder. An administrative error pops up. 

“Mind if I?” You gesture for Kyle to move he holds his hands up rolling away on the chair as you try again. You’re not the most competent with computers but you could probably figure it out. You try compressing the file first then moving it and it works. 

“What did you do?” Kyle asks.

“I think the file was too big so I compressed it, do you need it sent in an e-mail?” You ask looking at John.

“Yes please if you don’t mind.” You nod. 

“Coffee?” Kyle asks as he gets up out the seat heading into the main building. 

“Yes please.” You say turning to smile at him and pulling the chair over so you can sit down. Price explains how everything works as you get situated. He shows you the documents on the computer for how to answer the phone, and deal with walk in requests. The ‘system’ they have set up for assigning deliveries is basically just a glorified spreadsheet which is good, you can work with that it’s not too far out of your comfort zone. 

“If you have any questions just call, there is a direct line to my office if you press 1 on the phone.” You nod trying to take it all in as Kyle comes back with a cup of coffee. 

“I didn’t know how you took it so I just did milk.” He says. 

“That’s fine thank you.” You reply, as he places it next to you. Then heads back. John tells you again to ask if you need anything then also leaves you too it. You’re looking through the computer making sure you defiantly understand everything when Simon and Johnny walk in. 

“Morning,” you say to them smiling.

“Morning lass, guess we didn’t scare you away yesterday!” Johnny beams, he seems to have too much energy especially compered to Simon who is still sporting his hoodie and mask combo. His eyes lock onto you as he walks through the lobby, his glare sending shivers down your spine. In a strange way, you’re not scared of him, more intrigued. He walks through the counter to the main floor without saying anything. 

“Sorry, he’s a rude bastard when he hasn’t had a coffee yet.” Johnny says.

“It’s okay,” you shake your head. You look through the window into the main floor watching Gaz open the large garage doors out to the street. 

“Hey, if we’re both around at 12 want to get lunch together? I know this great sandwich place down the road my treat!” Johnny says. You nod, he really has a way of putting you at ease with his palpable bubbly energy. 

“Right, I’ll see ya then lass,” he says and he heads through. 

The morning goes quick or maybe it’s because everything feels so new and foreign that it takes you a lot of concentration to make sure you’re doing it right. Before you even try to do anything you’re already calling John in his office about the names, instead of it being Johnny, Simon and Kyle, it’s Gaz, Soap and Ghost. Gaz you remember but the other two it’s a 50/50. John laughs and tells you Soap is Johnny and Ghost is Simon.

Each time you give them a job they stick their heads round the door to pick up the invoice, you try to make it a habit of printing it out as soon as you assign the job, so it’s ready when they come in. You purposely give Simon a job over lunch so Johnny is free, it’s a little cheeky for your first day but you wouldn’t mind spending more time with Johnny. 

When lunch comes around Johnny shows you how to set the phone to go to Price’s office and you both leave. The shop is right round the corner but by this time of the day it’s packed with people on their lunch break, you order your sandwiches to go and head back to work to eat them there. You’re both sat upstairs in on the sofa’s, it is nice up here and you can see down to the floor below you gives you something to watch while you eat. 

“How’s your first day been so far then?” Johnny asks.

“Fine, it’s just getting used to the system that might take a while.” You confess.

“Yeah, you’re doing great though, my jobs have been smooth and easy all day.” He says. You nod. 

“So how did you all meet?” You ask.

“Now that’s a story!” He says sitting up in his chair. 

“We were all military together, SAS.” He says. That explains the company name Special Delivery Service, you chuckle it’s cute, funny now you get it.

“Why’d you quit?” You ask. 

“Our time was up we chose not to re-enlist, it was Simon’s idea to start a delivery company, something easy we could do in retirement.” He says smiling at your interest. 

“Did you ever kill anyone?” You ask, but then immediately regret it, you don’t know if that’s an appropriate question to ask. Johnny just laughs.

“Someone's got to deal with the bad guys.” He says winking. 

“Don’t mean they didn’t fight back. Got a nice fucked up knee to show for it.” Johnny says slapping his left leg. That explains the limp he always has when hes walking. 

“Has John always been your boss?” You ask moving it away from killing people and being shot.

“Price, yeah he was our captain, it just felt right letting him continue to tell us what to do.” Johnny explains, chuckling. You nod listening to him talk about their life in the military, he’s careful not to go too into specifics, but enough for you to understand it seemed like it was quite a dangerous job. Johnny mentioned something about bombs at one point, that’s scary. 

“I bet you travelled a lot though?” You ask finishing your sandwich. 

“Oh yeah! That was one of the perks I guess, been all over the place, met some great people.” Johnny says naming a bunch of countries off. You watch as Simon comes back reversing the van into the bay. He jumps out and heads straight into the store room. That reminded you you needed to ask for the code. Johnny gets up checking his watch and throwing his trash in the bin. 

“Got a delivery to make, I’ll see you later.” He says heading to the stairs. You nod smiling. When you’re done you knock on John’s door before you head downstairs. 

“Come in!” He calls. You go in, for some reason you get this feeling like you’re back at school walking into a teachers office about to ask them for the key to the storage room to get more paper. 

“Hey, how’s it going?” he asks smiling, it almost immediately puts you at ease. 

“Good, I was just wondering, the store room, Johnny showed me yesterday but he didn’t give me the code.” You explain. Price nods his head. 

“You don’t need the code, it’s for the drivers only, it’s where we keep, sensitive equipment.” He explains. You nod feeling heat rush to your cheeks, maybe you should have asked Johnny instead saved yourself the embarrassment of this conversation. 

“Got it, thank you.” You nod leaving the room and closing the door behind you. What kind of sensitive equipment? You hadn’t seen anyone moving anything in or out of there, and you’re pretty sure you saw Simon go in empty handed just now. You’re just more curious then ever. You look down the steps at Simon making his way up with a mug of tea in his hand. You wait until he has reached the top of the stairs before heading down. You smile at him, you can’t tell if he’s smiling back with the mask but you’re assuming he’s not. You make your way back down as he walks into John’s office without knocking. 

The rest of the day seems to go by slower, your mind obsessing over the store room for some reason. It’s like an itch you need to scratch, you find yourself looking over to check it now and again. You get a few of those ‘special request’s’ John warned you about, you try to assign them but it doesn’t work. Clearly the system does not like it so you send them off to John. It’s almost like they’re encrypted, maybe you could figure out how to fix it and stop the system from freezing up every time it happens, a task for next week you think.

Jobs stop coming through around 3 and you spend the last few hours of your shift catching up on the other part of your admin job, then you find yourself cleaning the coffee machine. Johnny and Gaz leave early, apparently this is normal for Friday, you wish them a good weekend as they leave going out the vehicle entrance closing the garage doors behind them. You head to use the bathroom next, as you’re washing your hands you hear the door of the store room beep open and the sound of feet running in and out. You hear it open but you don’t hear it close.

You hold your breath, could it be? It’s open. You’re excited for some reason. You quickly slip out cracking the door. Sure enough the door didn’t fully close it’s stuck on the latch. Your curiosity gets the better of you, you can’t help it. You look round quickly, you don’t see anyone, you don’t hear anyone. You push the door open, it’s dark you can’t see inside. You take a step in and an automatic light flicks on. You gasp as you look around the room. It’s way bigger then you expected, so big there is enough room for a table in the middle. Each part of the wall is covered in weapons, knifes, somethings you don’t even know what they would be but they look scary.

The hairs are standing up on the back of your neck, it’s almost like your fight or flight has kicked in as your eyes widen. There are crates everywhere some open with what look like boxes of ammo. You let out a breath feeling fear rise in you, maybe it was airsoft? You move to look in one of the crates near the entrance. Nope those are real bullets. You shouldn’t have seen this you feel panic rising. This is bad and very illegal. You start to back out the room, slowly you’re trying to be as quiet as possible. Your body hits something, not something someone. You hear a sigh. 

“And what do you think you’re doing?” It’s Simon. You slowly turn his head is tilted to the side his brow creased as his gaze burns into you. Fuck.

Next

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[upon-a-starry-night]

Number Neighbors Pt. 14

Natasha Romanoff x Fem! Reader

Natasha Masterlist Series Masterlist

Word Count: 1k

Summary:  When you catch sight of the newest trend going around you know you’re all but bound to at least try it, it was harmless anyway. What could possibly stem from something so little?

----

(This chapter takes place a little before last chapter of Nat’s pov)

The taste of the dessert was still simmering on your tongue as you walked home from your date. The thought that Nat had maybe seen you hadn’t left your brain since you got that note. The one you were still desperately clutching in your hand, rereading it over and over again and imagining Nat writing it. Her handwriting fits her personality so much. You wondered if she would be open to the idea of becoming pen pals. 

The second you’d read the note you’d scrambled out of your seat to catch the waiter and ask if she was still there but he only shook his head and gave you a pitying smile.

“Can you at least tell me what she looked like?” You didn’t know if you were breaking some unspoken rule of whatever game you were playing with Nat but you had to know. More than anything you had to know.

The waiter picked up a few glasses and plates and put them on his tray before turning to you

“I couldn’t see much, she was wearing a hoodie and sunglasses. You’d think she was a celebrity or something. Is she… your stalker?” 

Before he could get the wrong idea you quickly shook your head no at his accusation

“She’s… a friend?” you don’t know why it sounded so much like a question, both of you had agreed you were beyond strangers now but… what you felt towards Nat didn’t always feel like friendship. It felt like those moments when time stood still;

Like when you feel a cool breeze on the hottest day of the summer,

Or when you snuggle under warm blankets in the winter,

Or settling down somewhere with a cup of something warm and a good book.

She felt like all the little moments you loved about life combined into a person.

Your mother would probably call you naive for feeling so strongly about someone you’d never even met but she’d technically already approved of Nat anyway.

“Is there nothing you can remember about her?” you tried to keep up with the guy as he walked to pick up after another table

You felt a few expensive-looking people look your way but you didn’t pay them any mind.

The waiter huffed and stopped in his tracks, turning to you with the patience only a person who works in customer service could have.

“Look- a bit of her hair was sticking out from under her hoodie, it seemed- brownish? Maybe more of an auburn? I don’t really know I wasn’t paying attention. But if you really need to know so badly we have a tech guy coming up in a few weeks, I could have him send you the alley surveillance footage?” You could tell this guy was over you asking a million questions so you nodded your head enthusiastically. Glad to have at least that much. As you scribbled down your email you thought of your number neighbor with brownish-auburn hair. Somehow, you felt like you already knew her hair would be darker.

~

As you were rounding the corner onto your block your phone pinged with a notification and you were surprised to see Nat’s contact on your screen.

‘It’s about time’ you thought to yourself as you realized this was the first time Nat had texted you first, completely unprompted.

You swiped open the message with a satisfied smile on your face.

         Nat🔪:

Nat🔪:

Enjoy your dinner?

Y/n🍦:

It was okay.

The dessert was the best part.

Nat🔪:

Oh yeah?

Y/n🍦:

Definitely.

Putting your phone away, you unlocked the door to your apartment, entered the flat, and locked the door again before making a B-line for your fridge. You snatched an old grocery list off and replaced it with the napkin. It settled nicely under your baguette-shaped magnet.

You started at the note for a few minutes, unsure how to go about addressing what had transpired.

If you even should address it.

What if it made her run again? You wouldn’t be able to handle her silence like last time. You’d grown too attached. 

Shaking your head you decide to just go for it, rip the band-aid right off. If she disappeared again then it was her loss.

But if she was confident enough to text you first this time then maybe things would be different?

         Nat🔪:

Y/n🍦:

You were there

The reply took a few seconds and you tried your best to channel your inner monk for some patience

Nat🔪:

I stopped by

Y/n🍦:

You were there.

Again the three little typing bubbles taunted you and you wanted to pull them out of your phone and throw them in a blender but you knew it just meant she was second-guessing every answer she could give you. You’d gotten used to her texting habits.

Nat🔪:

…

I was.

Y/n🍦:

Did you… see me?

Nat🔪:

No.

You don’t know why you breathe out a sigh of relief. Part of you thinks it’s because you want your first meeting to be mutual. To see each other for the first time at the same time. So you can know what she thinks of you by just the look in her eyes.

At least if she had seen you and she was lying you could know that she thought you were pretty enough to continue texting.

Nat🔪:

I never even stepped foot in the restaurant

That much you knew from the waiter, but it still felt good that she was telling you. Like she was validating your unspecified want of seeing each other for the first time together. It always felt like she just knew things about you without you ever telling her. Maybe she was a long-distance mind reader. If that were the case she should really get hired by The Avengers.

The thought makes you huff out a light laugh and reminds you of when the two of you first started talking. It felt like so long ago now. You’d come a long way since then.

Y/n🍦:

Thank you.

It was delicious

It made my night honestly

Nat🔪:

Anytime, Y/n.

I’m glad.

You didn’t know what Nat was doing on her side of the city but you wondered if maybe she was grinning at her screen like a fool the same way you were.

You changed the topic of your conversation with Nat as you began getting ready for bed and not once did it occur to you that you hadn’t thought of your actual date the entire night.

Pt 15

A/n: Y/n learns a little about what Nat looks like!!

I meant it when I said slow burn guys but don't worry this story won't be too long!!~ Starry

---Taglist--

@marvelwomen-simp @cd-4848 @wandanatlov3r @rebeltombraider @ctrlamira @fxckmiup @aliherreraaa @natsxwife @la-douler-ne-finite-jamais @romanoffsgal @moistblobfish @natashaswife4125 @elenimoris @how-to-disappearrr @screechcat @toouncreativeforausername @ordelixx @autorasexy @blacklightsposts

[littlethingwithfeathers]

Text Message Scam Going Around

Hey friends, There's a new text message based bank scam going around, and it's specifically targeting more localized regional banks as opposed to the big ones like Bank of America or Chase. You'll get a text that says "Hey did you buy XYZ for $xxx amount in a Walmart in Sacramento California? If so, please respond YES or go to this link." And the link will be some official sounding but not correct web address linking to a website with some very convincing logos and such. And since it's your local bank... one that's not a big name and unknown outside your area, you might miss the warning signs to follow... sending codes. Asking for banking info. Etc etc etc. And it occurred to me and a lot of people might not know what to do in this situation, or how to find out if it's legit. So here's a quick run down on what to do if you get contacted by "your bank" and you don't know if it's legit. First off, do not click on anything, call any numbers given, or respond in anyway. Don't do it. Not even to troll them. The people on the other end are in data gathering mode. They probably have partial information on you from a hack elsewhere and they're working on completing your profile. Do not engage, or they will know that contact method works and might be connected to exploitable things. Take a screenshot of the text/email, and call your bank. Use the number on their website or on the back of your debit card. Again, don't use anything in a link sent to you by text or email. Google them and find their fraud or customer service number that way. Also be wary of autocomplete on your phone grabbing the number from the suspicious message or email. Talk to someone in your bank's fraud department. Let them know you got a message about potential fraud but you think it might be a scam. Give them the information from the text and follow their instructions. In this case, you called them, so it's safe to give them your information because you know for sure who they are. If the "fraud alert" comes from a phone call, never be afraid to just hang up and call your bank from a trusted number. If it was really them, they'll still be able to help you and have record of the attempted call. And they'll definitely understand. Rest assured, you are not bothering them. They are your bank's fraud department. Talking to people who might be defrauded is their job, which your fees pay for. This is rare and scary for you. It is Thursday to them and you're the fifth person to call them that day. They're just grateful you followed good practice and called them now instead of after the fact. Some red flags to remember: - If YOU are contacted BY THEM and asked to confirm sensitive information such as name, SSN, account numbers, passwords etc. Why would the bank need this if they called you? If this happens, take the advice above. Hang up, look up their number, and call them back. If you call them (and you know it's them) they may ask you to confirm your identity with information like that, but YOU called THEM in that case. - If you are being pressed to take immediate action because of... something. Illegal activity. Threats of closing your account. They'll make it sound dire. They want you to act and not have time to think about things. Again... if something feels off, just hang up or block the number texting you and call the actual bank. - Asking for nonstandard methods of payment such as gift cards etc. - Asking for things like "test transactions." Again, they're trying to connect dots. Some dots they might already have (say, a phone number, your name, and part of your credit card number) and they want to confirm they work and/or connect them with new information. Stay safe out there, folks.

[captawesomesauce]

Thoughts at 1230pm...

This is about my recent virtual deployment to the Hawaii fires for the Red Cross...

I've done a lot in my career with the Fire Services and in Emergency Management, but there's always new stuff to learn, new things to try, and new experiences to be had.

For the Hawaii fires, I was assigned to something I've never been a part of before, - reunification. And specifically, the virtual call center. People call the 1800 red cross number which puts them in contact with a third party intake call center not run or staffed by the red cross. That info then has to be processed, cleaned up, and turned into actionable information for both the ground team working in the shelters and at the disaster site so they can try and locate these people.

A lot of the time, an initial call back has to be performed to find out more info as well as if the person being sought has already been located/made contact so we can close the case.

And so for the first few days, that's what I did. Now if you know me, I hate being on the phone, but I realize it's important and I wanted to learn... for a little bit.

Being client facing is always an experience. Some were elderly family members and friends who as part of their own trauma, needed to just talk and tell their story and feel like someone cared and was working to help them. While the preferred way of dealing with this is to refer them to disaster mental health professionals, sometimes you just have to sit and listen as well. You don't want to be rude, you don't want to be short, you don't want to add to their trauma and pain.

So I sat, I listened, some texted me a dozen times a day.

Some were very angry, rude, and explosive. I had one scream at me that it's been 4 fucking days, why haven't we found their person yet?!?!?!?!!? What the fuck are we doing?!?!?! on and on and on. With those, you can't let them take their ire out on you but you also can't flame the issue. It's a tight rope that has to be walked.

Some calls were just... sad. A sister who hadn't spoken to her brother in over a decade, and he's homeless and she just hopes he survived. A lot of elderly friends around the globe who only speak to the missing person through facebook messages every few weeks.

Something that I always took note of were the numbers. For some reason, the numbers struck me as interesting. There were some people who had 10-15 people looking for them. Friends, Family, people they touched in some way or another. Then there were the people who had just 1 person who hadn't spoken to them in 5 years. And then there were the people who were looking for a long list of people they knew in the area.

Here's the thing though, you have to be really careful about reunification. Not everyone being sought wants to be found. So we never tell the seeker any info unless given permission by the sought. You don't know if it's a domestic abuse situation, you don't know if it's a legal thing, or if it's just a person who doesn't like another.

Thankfully, after a few days they moved me to data entry/cleanup which is so much more my speed. I liked being able to go through all of the calls, transfer them, clean them up, add notes, and just work with data and not the people themselves.

When all was said and done though, it was a good experience and seeing the FBI list today, it's disheartening to see how many names I know and how many names listed as deceased on other lists were ones I handled.

Every disaster is different...

[sassypotatoe1]

I don't get the opportunity to write these guides often enough as a journalist and I'm constantly astounded by how many people fall for blatant scams so here is your general guide to scams and phishing. Share it with your friends and family or something idk but too few people know these things and everyone should.

The first thing you should always remember is to stay calm and not panic. If you receive a threatening email, message, dm or phone call or even letter, calm down, take a step back and immediately regard it as suspicious. Email about you being hacked and them claiming they will release sensitive information about you unless you pay them? Suspicious! Dm about your account being terminated because it goes against user guidelines? Suspicious! Email, letter, text or call about how your account is in arrears or you've broken a law and are facing a fine, arrest, eviction or your utilities getting cut off? Immediately suspicious.

The next step is to contact support through the appropriate channels to check if the threat is real, and what the next steps are if it is. It's also important to know through which channels these things are officially communicated, how these processes typically work and what your rights are.

Social media and app support can be contacted through the support function on their official websites. The police, municipal accounts department, court, licensing department and if eviction is being threatened a lawyer through their official communication channels, often a number. For police you'll want to use the non-emergency number of your local station, but the rest you just call up the number for the department and the switchboard will put you through to the right person to talk to.

Your rights regarding these things vary according to where you are, but generally you cannot be evicted without notice for accounts in arrears, your utilities cannot be cut off without notice for accounts in arrears, fines are issued through mail with the official stationary and postage, Google what that would look like where you are, and you also have a notice period for these, and if you broke a criminal law you would be arrested with a warrant and given a date to appear in court. You would not be notified that there is a warrant out for your arrest through a text message.

Notice periods for eviction and utilities also differ from place to place, but generally both need a court order to be enforceable, and at the very least the notice period is 14 days. You will never receive account details to pay the fine, utilities or rent into in the mail, or if you do compare it to the account you typically pay them into to make sure they are exactly the same before giving them a cent, and only after you've confirmed that it is a real notice. Generally I would recommend paying fines at the physical offices they're issued from, paying utilities at the physical branch of the municipality and paying rent to your usual estate agent or landlord, not a surprise third party, no matter how convincing they are about estate transfers etc.

A private investigator isn't licensed in most places to do debt collection, and you pay them a total based on the hourly rate they have after services rendered. If they require a deposit find another investigator. If they claim to render services they aren't licensed to render, and you can look up what a pi license encompasses where you're at online, do not give them a cent.

Debt collection is handled through small claims court under a certain amount, they will send a licensed debt collector to acquire your funds on your behalf, and above that threshold amount you should not be lending out if you are not a licensed credit provider. You will get slapped with hefty fines and taxation in most places, and it's just stupid and irresponsible because you don't have loss insurance like a licensed credit provider does. Find out what your small claims court threshold is.

Social media account action will be communicated in-app by the platform using push notifications, and/or email from the official support email. This can be tricky to identify, so I'll try to give a general enough example. Say your tiktok account (or any social media) is about to be banned because it goes against user guidelines. You will receive a push notification telling you that you are facing account action and what content needs to be rectified to avoid this, or that you have surpassed the number of strikes on your profile and will be disabled effective immediately. At this point you will no longer have access to your account, or if you do you won't have access to posting or commenting functions.

This push notification will not appear as a dm asking you to click a link to appeal this decision. It will not be a regular notification. On tiktok it will fall under the account notifications bar, which is the one that you get with the "withdrawal limit updated" and "your report status" notifications. Most other social media apps send you an email using the official support email address, which you can Google and compare letter for letter. They will also never ask you to follow a link to appeal the decision. They will tell you to contact support, go find the support email on the official website do not use the one provided in the email, even if it's the correct one rather be safe than sorry.

If you receive a dm informing you that your account will be shut down if you do not appeal it by following a link, report it as phishing or the equivalent option in-app and DO NOT FOLLOW THE LINK! If you receive a dm from someone you've talked to in the past asking you to follow a link, whether it be because they supposedly accidentally reported your account or want a free gift from temu or won a competition and need to share the link with x amount of people to claim it, let them know on a separate platform that they have been hacked and/or scammed. Do not open the link.

Http links are generally not safe to use, https links are generally safe to use, if it's a recognizable link check for typos that's a spoof link, corporate links are dot com (.com), government links are dot gov dot country code (.gov.za), npo and ngo links are dot org dot country code or just dot org (.org.za or .org), academic links are dot ac dot country code (.ac.za), or dot edu (.edu), if the end of your link does not match the rest regard it as suspicious. For example if a supposed government link does not end in dot gov dot country (.gov.za) it is not an official government address and can not be trusted. Regard dot io, dot bitly, etc. As suspicious always, unless you are willing to properly learn about these web codes and investigate links individually.

Emails are a little bit more wishy washy, but generally if it is not a domained outlook email regard it as suspicious. If you get organization@gmail.com emails be wary. Most companies and organizations with the power to disable accounts, issue fines, disconnect utilities etc. Have an email domain, typically run through outlook. It is a professional standard and very very few places don't have it in place.

Government and municipal emails will look like "GovernmentAgentName@ProvinceOrState.gov.CountryCode", corporate emails will look like "EmployeeOrDepartment@CompanyName.co.CountryCode" and ngos will follow the same formula but end in ".org.CountryCode" or ".org" alone. Again, check for typos that is a spoof account, and for smaller ngos or businesses gmail is still a possibility, so check their official website or social media to confirm. Capital letters here are for easier reading but they are no longer required for emails and rarely will you see an email with capital letters anymore.

And finally, online shopping. If you're buying from an established online store with no established quality track record, look for photo reviews and negative reviews. Buying on wish? If you don't see a review with a photo attached regard it as a fake listing. Buying on Amazon, temu, Etsy etc? Check for negative reviews and see what they say about the product. Take their word as gospel. If you're buying from Craigslist, gumtree, Instagram or tiktok shop, etc do not trust anyone. Do not pay for the item unless you have physically held it in your hands. Do not pay a deposit to hold the item. There are plenty of small businesses that can be trusted in this regard, but there are also too many "small businesses" that take the money and run.

If a listing seems too good to be true it is. If you see a 30k usd car on Facebook marketplace for 10k and it looks new with no notes indicating work that needs to be done, high mileage etc, that is not a real car you will lose 10 thousand dollars. Smaller things too if you see a 3k cordless drill for 700 you will lose 700 bucks. There are real bargains out there, buy them when you've physically held them in your hands and checked their quality, functionality and age. Otherwise do not trust them.

If you're a small business and any of the above advice would negatively impact your business, it is time to consider legitimizing your business by getting a domain, using reputable portals to sell your goods and engage in product or service quality enaurance strategies. Use your social media marketing to market, and to prove the quality of your products or services. People are more likely to trust you if you show them exactly what goes into making or rendering your products and services, and having the correct domains registered will also protect you down the line.

Be safe out there and don't get caught! Scammers are getting smarter every day so you have to too.

[mycountry112]

Text Message Not Delivered: 10 Positive Practices for Overcoming Obstacles

Text message issues can be a big deal for people and businesses. Important messages not getting through can cause real problems. This guide will help you get past these issues.

We'll show you how to fix common text message problems. By doing this, you'll send messages smoothly. Stay with us to learn more.

First, we’ll look at why text messages sometimes don't go through. Things like bad network or wrong numbers are often the cause. Knowing these issues is the first step to solving them.

Next, we’ll talk about picking the right VoIP termination companies. Reliable companies can make sure your messages get where they need to go. They play a big part in successful text delivery and help prevent issues such as a text message not delivered.

Understanding Text Message Delivery Errors

Sometimes, text messages don't reach the person you sent them to. This can be frustrating, but knowing why this happens is helpful. It lets you fix the problem and send messages with no issues.

Network Issues

Network issues are a big reason why text messages may not go through. Problems like weak signals, lots of people using the network at once, or short-term outages can stop a message. Make sure you have a good connection to avoid these issues.

Incorrect Recipient Numbers

Sending a text to the wrong number is another reason you may have issues. Mistyped numbers, old contacts, or even a simple typo can lead to this. Always check the number twice before hitting send to prevent this.

Knowing about these issues helps you avoid them. We'll talk about how choosing the right company to help with messages can make a big difference soon.

Choosing Reliable VoIP Termination Companies

Sending text messages is key for good communication. But, many things can stop text messages, like bad networks or wrong numbers. To make sure texts get through, pick a good voip termination company. They help a lot in making sure texts go smoothly.

When picking a VoIP termination company, look at their reputation first. Choose companies known to send messages well and on time. This makes a big difference in your messaging success.

Also, check how big their network is. A company with a wide network can send messages further. This is important if your audience is in many places.

Check their technical abilities too. Make sure they are good at handling lots of messages. Having a strong technical setup avoids delay or problems in sending your messages.

Finally, think about their customer support. It's important that you can get help fast if something goes wrong. Good customer support can solve issues quickly, keeping your messages running smoothly.

By picking the right VoIP termination company, you can improve how well your text messages are sent. With a reliable partner, you can make sure your messages always reach who they're meant for. This boosts your communication efforts a lot.

So, choose a reliable VoIP termination company now. This step will take your text message sending to a whole new level of reliability.

Ensuring SMS Verification with Free Virtual Mobile Numbers

In today's digital world, securing our online accounts is important. SMS verification helps by sending us codes. But, getting SMS codes can be hard for some. This causes issues like not getting the text at all. Luckily, free virtual mobile numbers can help with this problem.

Free virtual mobile numbers act like temporary phone numbers. They don't need a real SIM card to work. They come from online services. These numbers are great for receiving SMS messages, just like regular phone numbers. They make it easier to get past SMS delivery problems.

By using a free virtual number, you can avoid many SMS problems. Like network issues or wrong numbers. This way, you get your codes quickly. Then, you can finish verifying your accounts with no trouble.

Benefits of Free Virtual Mobile Numbers for SMS Verification

There are many good things about using free virtual numbers for SMS verification:

Improved Delivery Rates: They are made for getting SMS messages. So, they often work better than regular numbers.

Global Accessibility: You can use these numbers everywhere. They work for everyone, regardless of their country.

Privacy and Security: Using a free virtual number keeps your own number private. This adds to your safety online.

Cost Savings: Since they're free, you won't have to pay to use them. This saves money on SMS verification.

Choosing free virtual numbers can make your SMS verification process smoother. It helps you dodge common texting issues. This is good news for anyone trying to keep their accounts safe online.

Understanding VoIP Traffic and Its Impact on SMS Delivery

Many things can affect sending and getting text messages. VoIP traffic plays a big part in this. VoIP means Voice over Internet Protocol. It lets us talk and send media over the internet, not phone lines.

VoIP traffic decides how SMS messages travel over the internet. But, not all VoIP traffic is the same. The quality and how well it works can change.

SMS messages over VoIP networks might face delays or not reach at all. This happens because VoIP gives more importance to voice calls. So, SMS can get left or slowed down. This can make people sending or getting SMS not happy.

To reduce VoIP's effect on SMS, we need to know the problems. Working with good VoIP companies can help. They are good at sending SMS and make sure it doesn't get stuck because of VoIP.

Choosing the right route for text messages is very important. We should send messages through clear paths. This way, we can boost how many messages get through without trouble from VoIP.

So, to solve SMS problems due to VoIP, it's key to know how it works. Working with the best VoIP companies and picking the best routes for messages helps. This will make sure messages get through well, for everyone.

Exploring Wholesale SIP Providers for Improved Delivery

Thinking about how to send more texts without problems? Wholesale SIP providers might be your answer. They boost how many messages get where they need to. This way, businesses make sure important news reaches the right people.

These providers are pros at sending message and voice over the internet. They use cool tech for better sending, have a strong network, and smart ways to get messages to the right place.

One big plus is they can send messages almost anywhere. They work with lots of phone companies worldwide. So, your messages have a better chance of getting through to anyone, no matter where they are.

They are also very good at making sure messages go out well. They watch the internet traffic all the time to fix any problems quickly. This makes sending messages more reliable and fast for businesses.

What's more, these providers have top-notch sending systems. They use powerful servers and the best connections to get messages moving smoothly. That means fewer mistakes and more messages getting to the right people.

The Benefits of Wholesale SIP Providers for Text Message Delivery

1. Your messages get where they need to go more often. This is because wholesale SIP providers make sending easier and more reliable. Their wide network and smart systems help a lot.

2. You can reach people all over the world. No matter where your customers are, your messages can find them thanks to these providers.

3. They offer backup networks. This means your messages can still get through even if something goes wrong with the main network. It lowers the chance of messages not arriving.

4. These providers know a lot about sending messages. They keep up with the newest ways to send messages well. This makes it more likely your messages will be sent and read by the right people.

5. They can grow with your needs. As your message sending grows, they can handle more. This means you can always send messages out, even if you need to send a lot at once.

In the end, working with wholesale SIP providers has lots of perks. They help with sending messages all over, have the right tech skills, and strong systems. Additionally, utilizing wholesale VoIP LCR ensures cost-effective routing of your calls. This makes sure your crucial messages are sent out right.

Analyzing Network Connectivity Issues and Solutions

Failing to send a text message is often due to bad network connections. Missing a text can be frustrating, blocking good talk. It's key to fix network problems for messages to go through.

Problems like weak signals, blockages, and network traffic can stop texts. Here are some issues:

Weak or unstable network signal

Interference from physical obstructions

Network congestion

Incompatibility between networks

To fix these and help messages get through, you can try a few things:

1. Strengthen Your Network Signal

Stay where your network is strong. If your signal is often weak, think about changing networks or ask for help.

2. Remove Physical Obstructions

Buildings or trees can mess with your signal. Try moving to a more open spot or closer to a window.

3. Avoid Peak Network Traffic

Texts might move slowly and sometimes not at all when many people are using the network. Send messages when fewer people are online.

4. Ensure Network Compatibility

Make sure your network works well with the one your friend uses. Some networks don't work well together. If there's often trouble with one network, trying others might help.

By looking into network issues and trying these fixes, text messages should go through better. Facing network problems head-on improves how well you can talk to others.

Securing Proper Routing of Text Messages

To make sure your text messages get through, it's key to have the right routing. This stops problems and makes sure your message gets to where it should go.

Many things can affect how your text gets routed. Problems in the network, wrong settings, and bad ways of choosing a path can mess things up. Fixing these can really help businesses get their messages through without trouble.

Choosing good messaging partners is a strong step toward better routing. They use strong networks and have good connections with many phone companies. This lets them find the best way to send your message faster.

Using smart ways to choose the route can also help a lot. They look at what the message is, who it's going to, and the network at the time. This way, the message takes the best path to reach the person fast and without trouble.

Checking message delivery right away is also very important. Good tools let businesses see if messages are getting through and spot any blockages fast. This helps them fix problems before they become big.

Making sure messages get routed correctly is very important. By teaming up with great messaging partners, using smart methods for routing, and keeping an eye on things, businesses can make their messaging work a lot better.

Implementing Effective Message Delivery Monitoring

To make sure text messages get delivered, good monitoring is key. When you watch over your messages' delivery, you can catch and fix problems fast.

To watch messages well, keep track of each one's delivery status. Use tools like SMS gateway APIs for this. They give you updates in real-time. This lets you spot messages that don't make it to the receiver.

It's also important to look at how messages perform. Check up on your delivery reports often. This helps you see how well your messages do and if there are any issues. For instance, you might notice a problem with a certain network. Then, you can find a way to fix it.

Working on problems before they happen is smart too. Test sending messages to different networks and carriers often. This helps you see problems early and solve them before they get big. Also, keep an eye on what your customers say. Their feedback can tell you if there are problems and how to fix them fast.

Related to Implementing Effective Message Delivery Monitoring:

Watching over message delivery closely is very important. Track the status, check out the reports, and fix issues quickly. Doing these things means better delivery for your users. And that's what makes everyone happy.

Optimizing Text Message Delivery for Different Networks

Sending text messages across many networks can be hard. There are more carriers and tech making it tricky. So, you must tweak your methods to reach everyone well.

It's important to know what each network needs and limits. Some have rules on message size. Others may block certain content. Tailoring your texts to fit each one can boost your success.

Picking the right SMS gateway provider matters too. The best ones connect directly with big carriers. This means your messages take the fastest and most reliable routes. It cuts out the risk of them wandering off or arriving late.

For better rates, think about retrying messages and having a backup plan. Retry sends again if they don't get through at first. Then, use fallbacks like different carriers if needed.

Testing and monitoring the delivery process

Checking and watching your message delivery must be a regular thing. Test your messages on various networks. See if they actually go through. This way, you can fix things ahead of time.

Keep an eye on how good your messages are at reaching people. If one network keeps falling short, dig in. Fine-tune your approach for that one, or find out what's wrong. Additionally, consider implementing free international call forwarding to enhance communication and ensure your messages are effectively delivered across different regions.

Use the data and tools from your SMS provider to get smarter. They can spot where you're stuck and help you decide what to do next. With these insights, you can make your delivery even better.

Optimizing Text Message Delivery

Making sure text messages get to everyone isn't simple. You need to understand network rules, pick a great provider, and keep checking how you're doing. By adjusting to what each network likes and choosing well-known providers, you'll improve your delivery rate a lot.

Overcoming Challenges of Message Filtering and Blocking

In today's world, sending messages can be hard. Filtering and blocking messages is a big issue. But companies need to make sure their important messages get through to customers.

The Impact of Message Filtering

Telecom companies and providers use filtering to stop spam and unwanted texts. But, this can also stop real messages from getting through. This can make customers unhappy and businesses lose chances to connect.

It's important for businesses to follow rules set by companies and providers. This helps messages reach the people they are meant for.

Techniques to Bypass Message Filtering

There are ways to make sure your messages reach people:

Optimize Message Content: Make messages that are clear and avoid looking like spam. Don't write in all caps or use too many symbols. Also, stay away from words that spam filters look for.

Authenticate Messages: Use email-like ways to prove your messages are real. This helps build trust. Ways to do this include SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.

Monitor and Test: Keep an eye on how well your messages get through. Test often to catch and fix any issues quickly. Being active can help avoid many problems.

The Challenges of Message Blocking

Message blocking is another obstacle. Sometimes, messages are blocked on purpose. This can happen for different reasons, like if the message doesn't follow rules or has the wrong content.

Bypassing Message Blocking

To tackle message blocking, businesses should:

Ensure Compliance: Learn and follow the rules set by network operators. This lowers the chance of your messages being blocked.

Opt for Alternative Channels: Try sending messages through email or app. These ways might be able to send your messages when text can't.

Establish Relationships: Make good connections with providers and network operators. This can help solve blocking issues more easily.

Knowing about message filtering and blocking is half the battle. Using the right methods helps businesses reach their customers with important messages.

Understanding and Addressing Invalid Recipient Numbers

In the world of sending texts, a big problem is getting the wrong number. When your text can't reach someone because the number is not right, it hurts your plans. But, there are steps we can take to fix this.

Always make sure to check the phone numbers before hitting send. Use tools or APIs to check if the numbers are real. These tools look at things like how the number is written, area codes, and if the network is working.

Don't forget to clean your contact lists now and then. Remove contacts that are old or wrong. This helps make sure your messages get to the right people.

Talking to your contacts can also help. Ask them to update their info. This way, you get the correct numbers and don't waste time sending to bad ones.

Knowing why you get the wrong numbers is key. It could be from typing mistakes or having old contacts. It may also happen if someone changes phone companies. Knowing these reasons can help us make better and prevent mistakes.

To wrap it up, having the wrong number can mess up sending texts. But, doing simple things like checking numbers and talking to your contacts can help a lot. Making sure your info is correct lowers the chance of problems. This way, your messages are more likely to reach the right people.

Troubleshooting Delivery Issues with SMS Gateways

SMS gateways are key for sending texts right. But, sometimes messages don't go through. It's important to figure out why. This keeps talking to your contacts smooth.

One issue is when messages are late. This happens if the network is busy or the gateway has limits. Pick a gateway that's fast and strong to fight this.

Carriers or spam filters might also block your messages. They could think your messages are spam, or flag them if they have certain words. To improve your deliverability, keep your contact list clean and only message people who want to hear from you. Additionally, make sure to follow the SMS marketing rules. Understanding what is VoIP termination can also be beneficial, as it involves the delivery of voice traffic from one provider to another, which might help in optimizing your messaging strategies.

Using the wrong format can also stop messages from going out. Stick to what the SMS gateway needs. Don't send too many characters or the wrong type of messages.

Keeping your name clean is a big deal too. If people see you as spam, your messages might not get through. Always get permission to message someone. Also, make it easy for them to tell you to stop messaging them.

Working closely with your SMS gateway provider is key if you face issues. They can help you figure out why messages might not be going through. They give great advice to help you send your texts right.

Ensuring Compliance with Regulations to Avoid Delivery Problems

Sending text messages? It's key to follow the rules. Otherwise, you might face issues getting your messages across. You could even get in trouble. Stick to the rules to help your business do well with messaging.

Backing up compliance is sticking to laws against spam. Sending unsolicited texts is a no-go. It bothers people and breaks privacy laws. Always get permission first and make it easy for people to say no.

Being clear on who the message is from is a must. Recipients should know right away. The sender's phone number or ID should be visible. This builds trust and cuts down on blocked messages.

Content also matters. Messages must be safe and ethical. Be smart in what you say to avoid problems. Good messages keep your reputation shining.

Staying in the know about rules is crucial. Laws can change and vary, so always stay updated. This keeps your messaging on track everywhere.

Focus on following rules for smooth messaging. It protects your message's quality and keeps folks happy. Doing the right thing pays off big.

Conclusion

We've looked at how to handle the challenges of sending text messages. This includes common delivery problems and how to pick a good company to help. We also talked about using free numbers to send messages better.

It’s also important to check and fix issues with your network. We discussed ways to watch message delivery and make it better on all networks. Plus, how to deal with filters and blocks.

Following the advice here will help you send texts more successfully. Staying updated, being ready, and using the correct tools is key. With this, you can make sure your messages get where they need to go.

Don't be stopped by text delivery issues. Start using the tips and tricks in this article today. See how your message sending rates get better.

[brillmindz1]

What is the best application to make free video calls from Oman to India?

Video calling is an extraordinary method for keeping in contact with friends and family, yet it tends to be a piece challenging to manage without a VPN. Oman is a country that has a lot of restrictions on internet usage, so a VPN is essential for anyone who wants to video call in Oman. There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a VPN for Oman, but with a little research, it should be easy to find a service that will work well.

There is no need to use a VPN in Oman because toTok allows you to make free video calls. This application permits you to make high-quality video calls, which you can get from the Play Store or the Application Store. There have been several changes to the ban on Skype and a number of internet phone services. Skype, WhatsApp, and Telegram are only a couple of VoIP services that are blocked in Oman by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA). You cannot send messages from WhatsApp via video, but you can send messages via text. Due to the dangers associated with this device, it is not suitable for use with Facetime in the United States or Europe.

I use whatsapp or imob to make video calls with Oman friends. The package is good. Itmo has no issues and is fully functional. There is a blocking process in place for WhatsApp video and calls, and users are using VPN to avoid it.

Can You Video Call In Oman?

Because FaceTime and other video-calling services are encrypted, it is difficult to track, Oman is notorious for blocking them. Moreover, those services contend with homegrown telecom suppliers. The restrictions are rarely broken, as some encrypted chat apps do on occasion.

Also read: Mobile app development company in Oman

Is Whatsapp Allowed In Oman 2024?

WhatsApp is not currently allowed in Oman, but there is a possibility that this may change in 2022. The Omani government has been cracking down on the use of social media and messaging apps in recent years, but it is possible that they may relax these restrictions in the future. If you are planning to visit Oman, it is fitting to check the most recent data on the status with WhatsApp before you travel.

In Oman, internet and free sound/video calls have been blocked on WhatsApp and other free internet applications. VPNs (Virtual Private Networks), on the other hand, allow you to use WhatsApp video calling. Skype, Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Google Meet, and Zoom have all been temporarily removed from Omani networks. You can be anonymous and secure online with the assistance of a VPN. In the Center East, VPN for Facetime is the most generally utilized and simple to utilize method of connecting with the Internet. The death of Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al-Saud gave rise to Haitham bin Tariq as the new sultan of Oman. Oman has a number of licensed alcohol stores that sell liquor, as well as hotels and bars.

Also read: Best mobile app development company in Oman

Does Oman Allow Whatsapp Calls?

WhatsApp is a messaging app for smartphones that allows users to send text, images, videos, and audio messages to one another. The app also lets users make voice and video calls. WhatsApp calls are free to make, and they utilize your phone’s internet connection instead of your phone plan's minutes.

Yes, Oman does allow WhatsApp calls.

Enter the VPN account information you’ve chosen in the PPTP VPN screen. Your VPN server’s username and password will be added to your e-mail. You can enable or disable the VPN connection by going to the main settings screen and selecting it.

Also read: Mobile app development companies in Oman

Oman Chatting App

There are many different Oman chat apps available for people to use. Some of tSome the most well known ones include WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and WeChat. These apps allow people to stay in touch with friends and family members who live in Oman, as well as other parts of the world. They give a convenient method for peopling to speak with one another, and they offer different elements that make them ideal for use in an variety of different situations.

Are there any social networking apps available in Oman for the IOS App Store? is the parent company of the messaging application WhatsApp. The Badoo Premium has a login option for the Locket Labs Inc. password for WhatsApp messages. Friedrich Dreith was born in 1907. Threema GmbH's Protected Messenger is outfitted with a GPS phone tracker, permitting it to track  JLC Mobile. You can also chat with an Imo customer service representative. Griddy Pro: Split Pic in Grids is an excellent app for splitting photos in grids. This week, we'll take a gander at Instagram, WhatsApp Messenger  Pro, Zain MiniCord for Discord, and WatchsApp for WhatsApp.

[sellonfacebookmarketplace]

How Avoid Google Voice verification code Scam On Facebook Marketplace

Identity Theft Resource Centre (ITRC) highlights a concern over rising cases of Google Voice Scam On Facebook Marketplace. The scamming cases rise between August and November 2021. They reported the percentage of total victim cases rising from 49% to a staggering 70% in just a couple of months. What people say about scam?How Google Voice Scam works?How to Prevent Google Voice Scam On Facebook Marketplace My final words Rising fraudulent activities has captured the attention of law enforcement agencies like FBI they issue a warning earlier this year. The FBI issued a special alert because they want to highlight. How serious the issue is and remind everyone to remain extra careful, when using the internet. These scams are becoming more common, so it's really important for all of us to know about the possible dangers and to follow safety tips to keep ourselves safe from falling for these scams.

What people say about scam?

In Sara told me the situation she face, a stranger asked for a 6 digit code she received after posting a mirror for sale on a facebook marketplace. She shared this code with him but later realized it was an attempt to exploit her information. Unfortunately, she initially shared the code, not realizing it was a scam. When they claimed it didn't work and asked for another code, you became aware of the scam and report to facebook . Scammer may have tried to set up a Google Voice account using your phone number as the forwarding number, but if you aren't logged in, this is unlikely to work. While Google's weekend customer service may be unavailable, it's a good practice to stay cautious and safeguard your personal information.

Google voice verification scam How Google Voice Scam works? As we discuss above, if you've publicly shared your personal mobile number, email address on Facebook marketplace unknowingly, scammers can exploit it.  in the case of Google Voice Scam On Facebook Marketplace scammers might contact you, claiming they need a six-digit verification code to prove your authenticity and legitimacy.   They spin a tale about using a specialized phone service that relies on this code, which you'll receive from Google via an automated call or text message. this indicate that these scammers are in the process of setting up a Google Voice account for fraud activity. They instruct google voice to call your personal number, and when you answer that automated call, call speaks the code to you. do not share code with anyone. If you mistakenly ignore this warning and give the code to the scammers, they gain control of a google voice number as the forwarding number for their account. It's essential to be cautious and never share verification codes with strangers to protect your personal information and online security.  It is critical to be aware of the fraudster's goals in such a case. Their objective is to collect as many Google voice phone numbers as possible, and they will go to any extent to do it. Once they acquire these numbers, they may utilize them for a variety of unethical objectives, such as romance fraud, rental fraud, or even financial schemes. Scammers avoid having calls forwarded to your phone number because they do not want to be traceable. Once they've accomplished their goal, they normally delete your phone number from their account. So, be cautious while talking with strangers on internet sites, like Craigslist. Under no circumstances should you share your verification code with anybody. Legitimate businesses will never ask you for this information. This is an important reminder to keep your verification code secure. Remember When you signing up for Google Voice or adding a phone number to your account, Google will send you a text message containing a verification code. You'll can use this code to activate Google Voice services on your phone. Always keep this code to yourself to protect your online security. How to Prevent Google Voice Scam On Facebook Marketplace To protect yourself from Google Voice code scammers and ensure your online security, follow these important steps: Never Share Google Voice Codes: Keep your Google Voice verification code confidential at all times. There is no legitimate reason to share it with anyone. you can contact google voice community for Help Protect Your Phone Number: Avoid posting your phone number online or in public places whenever possible. Hackers can use your phone number as a starting point for significant damage. Exercise Caution When Selling Online: Be extra cautious when selling items online. If any interaction appears suspicious, trust your instincts and don't rush into the sale. Your security is more important than the transaction. Verify Buyers on Online Marketplaces: Choose online platforms that allow you to verify the credibility of buyers. Stick to dealing with verified and trustworthy individuals. Limit Personal Information: Refuse to provide additional personal information to prospective buyers, especially if it's to prove you're not a "bot" or a "scammer." These requests often signal a scam. Stay on the Platform: Complete your transactions within the online platform for safety. Avoid moving off the platform, as this could involve sharing more personal information, such as your email address. Beware of Unusual Payment Methods: Scammers often use nontraditional payment methods like gift cards, crypto currency, or postal money orders. Exercise caution and stick to secure payment options. Only use payment apps like Cash App, Zelle, or Venmo if you personally know the recipient or have met them offline. Prefer In-Person Meetings: When meeting buyers, opt for in-person meetings in safe and comfortable locations. Monitor Online Accounts: Regularly monitor your online accounts and credit for any suspicious activity. Consider using a credit monitoring app to alert you about unauthorized transactions or new accounts opened in your name. Enhance Online Account Security: try to Strengthen your online account security by improving your passwords, setting tighter security preferences, enabling two factor authentication (2FA), and try to use a password manager to safeguard all your accounts. Consider Identity Theft Protection: An all-in-one identity theft protection service like Aura can provide an extra layer of security. It combines identity theft protection, credit monitoring, antivirus software, and a military grade virtual private network (VPN) to defend against scammers and hackers. My final words your cyber security at risk you can lose your identity, and finances are at risk when someone else gains access to your personal information and phone number. While some scammers may move on, it's not a risk you want to take. Never share 2FA codes and keep your personal information as private as possible online. Consider additional security measures like identity theft protection services to avoid Google Voice Scam On Facebook Marketplace. Your online safety is paramount." Read the full article

[tanlakarix]

6 powerful benefits of SMS marketing that every business needs.

What is the one item you know your clients always carry with them? Their mobile phone an average person checks their phone 352 times a day. That happens about every 30 seconds or so.

These kinds of numbers show why SMS is such a powerful tool for business marketing and communication. That's not all, though. Let's look at the various advantages that SMS has over other approaches.

SMS is a flexible and incredibly helpful tool for businesses. Retailers use it to promote upcoming sales. It is used by restaurants and healthcare facilities to reduce the number of no-shows. Service-oriented businesses use it to get customer feedback. And much, much more.

There’s nothing faster than SMS.

If you need to give your customers a message right away, SMS is the ideal alternative. For example, you might want to hold a flash sale to clear out specific goods, or you might need to inform every consumer of an important update.

Sending a bulk SMS broadcast to every contact in your database is remarkably quick and easy when you use the features of our web interface. Even better, five minutes is how quickly over 60% of receivers read their SMS.

With automation, SMS is more efficient and easier to use. You can reduce the stress on your team by setting up automated text messages for certain scenarios.

Every text message can be personalized.

It may seem more difficult to provide the personal touch as your company grows. However, as you develop, personalization becomes even more crucial.

To quickly include the names and other details of your clients in your messages, use SMS automation. This gives the impression that you are conversing with each consumer personally while all you must do is click "send" once.

You can reach more people.

7.26 billion individuals worldwide are mobile phone owners. That is more than 91% of all people on Earth. Since some of these phones aren't smartphones, they might not have the newest email apps or features. However, they may receive and respond to SMS messages without a doubt.

You can message your customers via SMS if you have their agreement and their phone number. There is no chance that emails will end up in the trash or that letters will get misdirected. Just messages sent to the public in real-time.

SMS is so simple.

The online gateway for Message Media was created with simplicity in mind. Anyone on your team can simply get in and start delivering SMS messages to clients thanks to the simple, intuitive UI.

SMS is not only straightforward to use for you, but it's also easy for your clients. The majority of people can read and reply to texts. These days, people feel at ease following directions in your SMS, such as clicking a link or verifying a scheduled meeting.

SMS is a direct marketing channel.

Any marketer will tell you that SMS's immediacy is its greatest advantage. SMS streamlines your marketing strategy by providing a direct path to customers.

You can also establish two-way discussions with your customers as a direct means of communication. And this in turn promotes loyalty and strengthens bonds with others.

SMS is incredibly cost-effective.

One of the least expensive forms of communication available to marketers is SMS. With excellent returns on marketing messages like product offers and sales promotions, SMS messaging is inexpensive to set up and send, and it offers a significant return on investment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, SMS marketing is not just a tool; it's a strategic advantage that propels your business forward. By leveraging its immediacy, personalization, global reach, user-friendliness, direct interaction, and cost-effectiveness, you can establish meaningful connections with your audience, driving engagement, loyalty, and ultimately, business growth. Embrace the power of SMS marketing and witness the transformative impact it can have on your business. 

For More Info: https://www.karix.com/products/sms-solutions/

[primaltech]

Best Visual Voicemail Provider in Cairo: Why and How It Can Benefit You

Best Visual Voicemail Provider in Cairo

What is Visual Voicemail?            

Visual Voicemail (VVM) is a service that allows you to view your voicemail messages as text transcripts, making them easy to read and manage. You can also listen to your voicemail messages in the traditional way, but VVM makes it much easier to see who called you, when they called, and what they said without having to listen to the entire message.

VVM is especially important in the context of Cairo because it can help you to:

Stay organized and manage your time more effectively.

Avoid listening to unwanted voicemail messages.

Screen your calls more effectively.

Transcribe important voicemail messages for later reference.

Communicate more effectively with people who speak different languages.

Benefits of Visual Voicemail for Cairo

There are many benefits to using VVM in Cairo. Here are just a few:

Convenience: Best Visual Voicemail Provider in Cairo is much more convenient than traditional voicemail. You can view and manage your messages from anywhere, at any time, and you don't have to listen to the entire message to find out what the caller said.

Productivity: This can help you to save time and be more productive. You can quickly scan your voicemail messages to see what's important and then prioritize your responses accordingly.

Efficiency: Best Visual Voicemail Provider in Cairo can help you to be more efficient in your communication. You can quickly respond to important voicemail messages without having to call the person back.

Accessibility: This service is more accessible than traditional voicemail, especially for people with disabilities. For example, people who are deaf or hard of hearing can read the transcripts of their voicemail messages, and people with dyslexia can have their voicemail messages read aloud to them.

Statistics, Demography, and Scenarios of Cairo

Cairo is a large and diverse city with a population of over 20 million people. The majority of the population is Arabic-speaking, but there are also significant populations of English-speakers and speakers of other languages. Cairo is a major business and cultural center, and it is home to many international companies and organizations. The city is also a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors each year.

Here are a few scenarios where VVM can be beneficial in Cairo:

A business owner in Cairo needs to stay organized and manage their time effectively. They use the service to quickly scan their voicemail messages and prioritize their responses.

A student in Cairo needs to avoid listening to unwanted voicemail messages. They can utilise VVM to screen their calls and only listen to messages from important contacts.

A tourist in Cairo needs to communicate with people who speak different languages. They use Best Visual Voicemail Provider in Cairo to transcribe important voicemail messages for later reference.

A person with a disability in Cairo needs to communicate more effectively. They use VVM to read the transcripts of their voicemail messages or have their messages read aloud to them.

Best Visual Voicemail Provider in Cairo

There are a number of different providers to choose from, so it is important to compare their features and pricing before making a decision. The Best Visual Voicemail Provider in Cairo is the one that meets your specific needs and budget.

Here are a few factors to consider when choosing a visual voicemail provider:

Features: What features are important to you? Do you need a provider that offers transcription, translation, or other features?

Pricing: How much are you willing to pay for visual voicemail service? Some providers offer free or low-cost plans, while others charge a monthly fee.

Compatibility: Is the service compatible with your phone and mobile carrier?

Once you have considered these factors, you can start to compare different visual voicemail providers. Be sure to read reviews from other users before making a decision.

Best Visual Voicemail Providers in Cairo is valuable service that can offer a number of benefits to people in the city. By using VVM, you can stay organized, save time, be more productive, and communicate more effectively. If you are looking for a visual voicemail provider in Cairo, be sure to compare the features and pricing of different providers before making a decision.

[alarajrogers]

So here are two important facts you need to know about the polls:

Trump's campaign and the GOP in general are doing tons of "partisan polls." Partisan polls masquerade as regular polls but lean heavily toward trying to get positive results for Their Guy, without being so biased that they get thrown out, and the Trump campaign in particular has been heavily favoring them lately because a lot of biased polls in their favor give support to the efforts they're going to make to steal the election. We don't normally see so many partisan polls.

Even good nonpartisan polls that try to be fair are usually pulling from the pool of "likely voters", which is people who voted in last presidential election. But we know enormous waves of people registered to vote for the first time when Harris announced her candidacy. Those people are not being polled. Polls of "registered voters" might not be catching people who just recently registered. And even a good poll that is based on the latest set of registered voters works by calling random people. Millennials, Gen Z: how often do you answer the phone when strangers call?

There has always been an overcount of the retired elderly who are lonely and have nothing better to do than answer the phone, in polls, and an undercount of the youth vote because young people are more likely to be working retail or food service and not available to answer phones in the late afternoon/early evening when the pollsters are trying to get the people who are off work and not yet eating dinner. And because young people's phone numbers often haven't been established as long and aren't on as many databases. But nowadays there's an even bigger imbalance, because young people simply don't answer the phone. Everyone they care about knows to text them or call them on Discord or something, and the few people who they'll still answer the phone for, those people are in their contacts so they know who they are. They don't answer the phone for strangers.

Pollsters have been trying to balance this out with text polling. But a text poll requires that you take action. Where a phone poll keeps you on the phone because after you answered it, you're too polite to hang up on the person asking questions, a text poll requires clicking on the link you were texted. If you're very security conscious you won't do that. If you're not, but you're busy and can't be bothered, you won't do that. Probably only the most partisan people are clicking on the link and answering the poll. And people like me, reliable partisan voters who vote in every election and have had the same cell phone for 24 years, get a disproportionate number of the text polls... young people probably do not for the same reasons they have traditionally been undercounted.

So a youth vote that actually turns out and votes will blow the polls away. Thus, enormous efforts are being made to discourage left-leaning young people from voting. "They're both the same." "Harris supports genocide." "There really isn't any difference." "Why bother, Trump is going to win." Every time you see one of those messages, it is either from someone who was trying to discourage left-leaning young people from voting, or it's a left-leaning young person who was successfully discouraged and is now infected with the pernicious meme, retransmitting it because now they believe it.

Recently Trump just severely pissed off the Puerto Rican voting bloc. Believe it or not, there were actually Hispanics who were considering voting for him! No, I don't know why either. But I bet a lot fewer of them are now. He's also been even more mask-off fascist lately, and many people who were his supporters and attended his rallies saw him rambling, mixing up names, doddering and dancing to music for half an hour. Those people might be afraid to say out loud that Trump has lost it because they don't want their friends and family to hear them, but some of them, in the privacy of the voting booth, will vote for Harris or a third party or won't vote at all.

So no. A Trump victory is not at all inevitable. Anyone who told you this is either lying or was duped. But Harris hasn't got it in the bag either. She can and will win if all of us who despise Trump actually get out and vote for her. But she can still lose if a lot of us get discouraged and stay home (or get too complacent and stay home.)

Is there any plan for after Harris loses (which seems inevitable at this point)? People are pointedly not talking about after, so I assume that Trump winning really does mean everything is Over in a very final way.

...

Both of those assertions are wrong.

Polls are notoriously unreliable (and getting less reliable), and things are close. I honestly have no idea who's going to win. But right now, fivethirtyeight.com (which is the best overall politics predictor in the US, and has been for the last several election cycles) has Harris ahead by 1.3 points. So, no, Trump winning is not inevitable.

But especially with things this close and the election this close, this is the least likely time for people to be publicly talking about contingency plans for a Trump win. The more people think Trump is going to win, the less likely Harris voters are to show up at the polls ... which means that Trump is more likely to win. Talking about how awful a Trump presidency would be if he got elected can motivate people to vote, when paired with "but voting for Harris can help prevent that!" Talking about what to do after he wins (if he does) is much more concrete and much more likely to convince people that there's no point in voting, we need to move on to the next step of preparing for the inevitable. But it isn't inevitable! Not even close!

Organizations at all levels--political groups, advocacy groups, charities, legal aid groups, etc.--have been preparing all along. But the more you talk about those contingencies in public, the more likely you are to actually need them.

And the thing is, we know a Trump win would be bad. How bad, and in what way exactly ... depends on a lot of factors. His first term was bad, but he was prevented from achieving his goals because he is incapable of keeping competent people around, and nobody knew how to make the bureaucracy of government do what they wanted it to do. He may have fixed that problem, he may not. We know what his goals are and those of his closest allies. What we don't know is, would he be better able to carry those goals out this time if he wins, and if so, how many of them he will be able to enact. And what we, as leftists, can do in the event of a Trump presidencey depends on all of those things!

So it's much better to point out that the odds are in Harris' favor right now (even if not by much) and we need to go out and make sure they stay in Harris' favor.

[yogabilitymind]

Disability Services in Adelaide

There are a number of disability support services available in adelaide. These include the National Disability Insurance Scheme, which provides tailored support for individuals with disability. The NDIS also provides respite care, leisure activities, and skills development opportunities.

The NDIS is a major step forward for adelaide disability services, giving people choice and control over their day-to-day supports.

MyTime Group

MyTime is a peer support program for parents and family carers with children who have a disability, developmental delay or chronic medical condition. The group meets regularly in their local area and is run by a trained facilitator. It is free and does not affect NDIS funding.

Families can feel disconnected from their friends and community due to the intensity of their caring role, so having a place to socialise with others can have a positive impact on health and wellbeing. Parents can discuss the highs and lows of parenting a child with a disability and learn from each other’s experiences.

They can relax over a cup of coffee and talk about their challenges, while adding a new dimension to their lives through the add-on playgroups that operate alongside My Time groups. A recent study found that participants’ perceived stress and anxiety improved after participation in the MYTime program. This improvement exceeded the DASS MCID and was comparable to that of a control group.

Community Living Project

The Community Living Project is a network of agencies that can assist individuals with disabilities who want to live independently. They can provide housing, employment, and support services. They also offer support in a variety of areas, including health and safety.

The Community Living Project provides quality service in southern Adelaide, enabling people with intellectual and multiple disabilities to achieve a good life through home, relationships, valued roles and participation in their community. For over 30 years, they have proven that with thoughtful and well constructed support, anyone can live in their own home and participate as a part of their community.

University of Adelaide’s Disability Support Team

If you have a disability or health condition that has a significant impact on your studies, it is important to register with Disability Support. They will provide personalised advice and assistance to help you negotiate Reasonable Adjustments with your academic staff. This can include access to lecture theatres, resiting exams and other supports.

You can upload scanned copies of your supporting medical documentation (eg

Verification and Impact Statement or Psychological Learning Assessment) during the online registration process. Please note that you will need to upload these documents before the cut-off date for each teaching period.

It is strongly recommended that you finalise your enrolment and contact your Disability Advisor at least four weeks before each teaching period commences. This gives us enough time to check classrooms and other teaching spaces for accessibility.

Mobility Allowance

Mobility Allowance can help individuals with disabilities by covering the costs of transport. It can also be used to help them purchase a new car through the Motability Scheme. It is not means tested or affected by earnings or savings.

The first step is to contact Disability and Carers Service (DfC) by phone or email. DfC will never ask you to give personal or financial details by text message or online.

If you are refused Mobility Allowance, you can request a mandatory reconsideration or appeal the decision. Appeals procedures vary by Local Health Office. Some have an independent Senior Medical Officer review all of the evidence. Others may have an informal review of the evidence.

Carer Payment

If you are a carer, there are many disability services Adelaide that can help you. These include disability supports and assistance with expenses. They can also provide access to community-based activities and events.

The Carer Payment is an income supplement for parents or carers who give additional daily care to someone with a severe disability, medical condition or is frail aged. It is not income or assets tested and can be paid in addition to wages or other income support payments.

Other disability-related services include Disability Concessions Card, which provides discounts on council rates, water and power bills, and travel passes. There are also community-based respite services such as Kolbe Cottage, which offers weekend and school holiday respite for children and adolescents with intellectual disability.

[fatimicklejoshan]

What is the “US9514961195221” USPS text message?

Do you recall getting a notification from USPS stating they could not deliver your product to the address you provided? Tracking number: us9514961195221.

Would you like to know whether or not this content constitutes fraud? Scam artists constantly find new ways to exploit people using new technologies. A text message scam is one of the latest circulating scams. In this case, the con artist sends the victim a text message that appears to come from the USPS.

What is the US9514961195221?

Due to a problem, we are unable to deliver your product. Phishing through text messages is an attack that uses SMS to trick users into giving up personal information. The notification informs the recipient that a parcel from the United States Postal Service is waiting for them and provides a tracking number and a link to do so.

Users who follow the link will be tricked into visiting a malicious phishing website designed to look like the official United States Postal Service website.

The text message is a phishing scam requesting financial information or a wire transfer. Those behind this fraud exploit victims’ personal data to shop online under their names or steal their identities.

Refrain from responding to the text message that claims to be from USPS and informs you that your shipment could not be delivered. Customers will not get notifications from USPS requesting sensitive information. They’re more likely to write you an email or snail mail a letter.

USPS and other reputable package delivery services would never contact you via email or text message to request cash or personal information to deliver an item. Do not enter personal information or click on links in a text message or email that claims to be from the USPS or another package delivery service. Instead, you should call the company to ensure it’s a real message.

Avoid sending sensitive information like bank account details through text messages or email, and double-check with the company.

We advise anyone receiving this text message to delete it without opening links or downloading any attachments.

Also Read: KMS

How does it work?

Con artists can use a wide range of phishing strategies. Scammers frequently employ spoofing as a method of operation. Moreover, Scammers often utilize deceptive guises for their websites to fool victims.

Scammers use bogus USPS-looking texts in their schemes. These communications mislead recipients into thinking they need to follow a link to change their address. This phishing link will take the victim to a malicious website.

The phishing website pretends to be the official United States Postal Service website. The logo and visuals may be identical to those on the official site.

Scammers frequently request sensitive information from their targets, including credit card details, for “re-delivery” fees. This data’s potential bad uses include identity theft and illegal purchases from stolen credit cards. selling the data on the dark web.

Scammers may, though rarely, direct targets to a specific phone number. Scammers pose as computer diagnostic software to fool users into purchasing phony support services or downloading a remote control tool. Remember that if scammers gain access to your computer, they can install spyware, ransomware, or Trojan horses and steal your personal information and files.

Your Package Cannot Be Delivered” email is a scam. Data loss, monetary losses, identity theft, and other significant issues might result from a breach.

[beaconcoder]

Efficient and Reliable Bulk Email Marketing Services for Business Growth

Anyone with an email address is probably aware of the popularity of mass emails and newsletters. Yet, despite your congested inbox, email marketing is still a largely underused marketing strategy.

We know from experience at Speak that mass emails may have a significant impact on many organizations. That is why, on our content management system, Site Wrench, we offer our own bulk email service called Mass Mail that customers may use.

The Advantages of Mass Email

Reaching a large audience at the affordable rate 

One of the primary benefits of using bulk email is that you can send your message to a huge number of people quickly and for free (or very inexpensively). It is difficult to surpass in terms of value.

If you've ever sent printed direct mail, put an ad in a newspaper, or done any other type of traditional advertising, you understand how costly it can be. You will be hard pressed to find a method of contacting your consumers for less time, money, or effort than an e-blast.

E-Mail provides better insight 

Whether you send out printed direct mail or place a newspaper ad, it's tough to tell how many people viewed your promotional item. To assess the efficacy of that advertisement, you may need to create a campaign-specific phone number or ask individuals how they discovered you when they contact you.

Bulk email provides better insight into what is going on without the added work of going back to measure. You can automatically measure how many people received your email, how many opened it, what buttons or links they clicked on, how much time they spent reading the message, and much more!

The Issues with Bulk Email

Of course, bulk email campaigns are not without their drawbacks. With all of the good they may do, there are certain obstacles and stumbling blocks to be aware of.

Your mail may not be received 

We understand. That's a significant disadvantage. What's the use of sending an email if no one is going to read it before deleting it? It is certainly feasible to manage email campaigns wisely in order to reduce the number of individuals who delete your email before reading it. A good campaign requires both components (strategy and numbers).

A single mail is not likely to result in a massive increase in new business 

Your best hope is to adopt the mentality of "If we get one sale out of this, it will be worth the effort." Rather, it is critical to enter with reasonable expectations.

Consider your personal experience with advertising emails. How frequently do you open them and read them? How frequently do you automatically remove them? How frequently do you go to the bother of unsubscribing from a mailing list? Beacon Coders provide you with the best bulk email marketing services That increase your customer approach.

Email formatting is difficult 

So, now we're going to speak about the technical side of things. Assume you decide to give mass email a fair go. You create a trendy new template, write wonderful text, cross your t's and dot your i's, and eventually push send.

5,000 individuals have your email in their inboxes in a matter of seconds. 5,000 persons received a phone call that said "Hello there... You appear to have received an email. Why not stop what you're doing and come check me out?"

You arrive home, turn on your laptop, open Gmail, and anxiously check your inbox to see what your clients are looking at.

FAQs

What exactly is bulk email marketing?

Bulk email marketing is the practice of sending promotional emails to a large number of individuals at the same time, generally to promote a product, service, or event.

Is there a best way to use a mass email marketing service?

Sure, some best practices for using a bulk email marketing service include gathering email addresses from individuals who have expressed interest in your product or service and have given you permission to contact them. To address subscribers by name and adapt communications to their interests and preferences, use personalization tags.

What kinds of bulk email marketing services are there?

Some popular bulk email marketing services include: Mailchimp, Constant Contact, Campaign Monitor, AWeber and GetResponse.