2017 | FTC-I

Dec

2017

Tips to Secure Your Home and Gifts This Holiday Season

It’s the most wonderful time of the year filled with family, fun, food, drinks and the exchanging of gifts. In this day and age, the majority of those gifts are purchased online and left to sit on dimly lit porches waiting for their owners to return from work. Moreover, ‘tis the season for traveling to the homes of loved ones, leaving homes vacant and prime targets for the greedy eyes of thieves. Follow our tips to protect your gifts, home and holiday fun from the Scrooges of the world this holiday season: Keep travel plans offline One thing to always...

Nov

2017

The Dangers of Robo/Spam Calls and How to Identify Them

Automated calls can come from a variety of companies as well as hackers. It might seem like an unnecessary step beyond just hitting “decline,” but it’s beneficial to take any measures possible to eliminate these frustrating calls from the get go. First of all, be sure to add yourself to the Do Not Call List. You can add your mobile or landline phone number to this list for free in order to block your phone from getting unwanted calls. “What if I am still getting these calls?” Be cautious when filling out online forms that ask for your phone number....

Nov

2017

The Top Smartphone Apps That Have Changed the Way We Live

Everywhere you look, interactive media has inundated our daily routines. Whether it is for work or for play, our smartphones have become less of a device and more of an information portal into the world around us. Within the intricate interfaces of our smartphone devices exist the potential to download hundreds of applications (apps), each with a different offering set to make our lives that much easier. There are many that stand out as some of the greatest apps to ever be made but, in no particular order, here is a list of apps that completely changed the way we...

Oct

2017

Nine Ways to Prevent Cyber Security Breaches

In a world where the majority of our transactions and interactions happen online, individuals and companies alike are in a constant struggle to safeguard their information and maintain security. In honor of October being National Cyber Security Month, it’s time to fine tune those privacy settings and up your protection levels to prevent fraud and information hacks. Here’s some of the top ways to secure your online presence: Create a Strong Password This may seem like a no-brainer, but the first step to creating a secure account is to choose a unique password with strong characters. Your pet’s name followed...

Oct

2017

Say Cheese! Santa is Coming to FTC

Guess who told us he is excited for another year of photos and fun at the FTC retail locations? That's right, Santa Claus! He let us know that his elves prepared the sleigh and saddled up the reindeer. He also told us that Mrs. Claus picked up his suit from the dry cleaners and he’s scheduled with his barber to get a fresh cut and beard trim. (Santa tends to let himself go during the summer months.) He also promised that this year’s FTC Santa Photo Days will be the best yet, and we totally agree! Santa will be...

Aug

2017

Top 5 Must See Summer Movies

Summer might be winding down, but there’s still a need to beat the dog days of summer heat. Whether it be in the ambiance of the theater or in the comfort of your own home, there’s nothing quite like putting your feet up and enjoying a great piece of entertainment. Unsure as to which new flick might be right for you? We’ve compiled a list of the top five must-see summer movies, so go ahead and sit back, relax and enjoy the show! Wonder Woman, June 2 Looking for a family friendly movie to enjoy on those final summer nights?...

Top 5 Home Security Tips For When You’re on Vacation

The last worry you want when going on vacation is the safety of your home. Statistics show that the highest percentage of burglaries occur in the summer months. The easiest way to prevent this worry is by protecting your home prior to leaving. Here are a few easy home safety tips you can implement before going away on that much-needed getaway: 1. Make Sure Your Alarm System Works and is Activated Many people have an alarm system but never actually use it; having one is a great start because burglars look for alarm systems and possible deterrents that could prevent...

May

2017

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Assistants on the Modern Household

First, there was Siri – now, the universe welcomes digital voice assistants. The swell of internet-connected devices, like smart thermostats and home assistants, is bringing even more utility to a connected consumer’s life. Siri was just early to the artificial-intelligence party back in 2011. According to Business Insider’s recently updated data report compiled in March 2017, 65 percent of U.S. smartphone owners were utilizing voice assistants in 2015, a significant jump from a mere 30 percent just two years earlier. This raises the question: Why are consumers flocking to speaker-based voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant?...

Feb

2017

FTC Sumter Retail Store on North Pike Closed Feb. 3

In response to recent research, FTC determined it was necessary to utilize its employees from the N. Pike store at different locations to improve the customer experience. For this reason, the North Pike Store location closed at 5 p.m. on Feb. 3. During the research, FTC discovered the majority of customers who utilize the North Pike Store were paying their monthly bills. For their convenience, the drive-through and payment drop-box will remain open to receive payments. Some employees have been moved to the Wesmark Store located at 255 West Wesmark Boulevard due to an increase in customer traffic. Also, FTC...

Jan

2017

FTC Teams Up With NTCA to Expand Broadband

What if we told you that you could have a helping hand in bringing improved telecommunications capabilities right to your front door, at no cost? FTC has teamed up with NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association (NTCA) to help reinforce the importance of rural broadband as a key component of our national infrastructure to gain President Donald Trump and his advisers’ support. Now that he is in office, the process of implementing advanced communication networks will be very important. His team understands the importance of sophisticated communications infrastructure capable of delivering high-speed, high-quality, affordable broadband to all corners of America. Part of...