Dear Heloise: I’ve never written to you before, but this is important. I just received a phone call that appeared to be a local number. When I answered the phone, I heard the background noise of a call center.

A man with a foreign accent said that he was calling from CVS Pharmacy and needed to update my CVS account because it had not been verified. Until it was updated, my new Medicare benefits wouldn’t cover my prescriptions. Well, I don’t have an account at CVS and told him so. He immediately hung up.

However, many people do have accounts at CVS (or some other pharmacy), and this is the time of year when Medicare beneficiaries are changing their drug insurers, so it can be easy to fall for this scam. Please warn your readers to be wary. Thank you. — W.V.G., via email

BLOOD-STAINED LEATHER

Dear Heloise: Every deer hunting season, my husband has blood stains on his leather jacket. It looks terrible, but he refuses to part with it, calling it his “lucky jacket.” How can I get these blood stains out?

P.S. I’m an avid reader of your column and enjoy many of your hints. — Joyce G., Casper, Wyoming

Joyce, if there are years of accumulated blood stains, I recommend that you take it to a professional cleaner. They can improve the jacket’s appearance, but some of the stains may not come out. — Heloise

SKIN CLEANSERS

Dear Heloise: My skin is dry, but I can’t stand to leave my makeup on once I get home from work. A dermatologist told me to use soap and water to wash off my makeup, but it just makes my skin drier! I hate those oily cleansers and never feel as though my skin is actually clean, even after I use a toner to get the oil off. Do you have any hints to help me? — C.D., in Utah

C.D., your skin tells the world about the state of your health. Here is what I’ve done to my own dry skin for years, as directed by my doctor:

— Water is one of your best friends, so when you wake up in the morning, drink a glass of clean, clear water. (Coffee and tea do not count.)

— Next, splash your skin with tepid water. Don’t use hot water or soap if your skin is dry. Lightly pat your skin dry and use a moisturizer afterward. Only use soap if you need to remove your makeup or your skin has gotten very dirty.

— If your skin is oily, you can use warmer water and a mild soap, followed by a light moisturizer. Of course, it goes without saying that no one should ever sleep in their makeup. — Heloise

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Hints from Heloise run occasionally in Lifestyles. Readers may send a hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE, or email: Heloise@Heloise.com. Letters won’t be answered personally.