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Meet the scammers driving your neighborhood
Ever get one of those weird texts that says something like, “Your package is waiting” or “Click here to unlock your cash reward”? We all have. Most people figure it’s just a scammy mass text from some sketchy website.
You can’t be so sure anymore. What if I told you those shady texts didn’t come through the usual networks? They were broadcast by a random car driving through your neighborhood?
That’s the new trick. Scammers are using devices called SMS blasters, and they’re not just annoying, they’re downright dangerous.
🚗 A cell tower in a backpack?
Here’s the deal: These devices pretend to be a real cell tower.
Your phone gets tricked into connecting, even if just for a second, and then BAM, a scam text pops up like it came from nowhere. These setups can be mobile, too. I’m talking about backpacks, parked vans, rental cars on the move.
They don’t need your number. They don’t even need a list. They just hijack every phone nearby and blast out messages like spam on steroids.
👀 Why this should freak you out
These scam texts can look really convincing. Delivery updates, IRS warnings, bank fraud alerts, the kind of stuff you click without thinking twice. One wrong tap, and they’ve got you. Personal info, passwords, credit card numbers, all wide open.
Here’s the kicker: Even the scam filters on your phone can’t stop them because these texts are basically cheating the system.
🧠 Your checklist
1. Turn off old connections: Scammers love older networks because they’re easier to spoof. Disabling 2G or older on your phone blocks one of their favorite tricks. I checked the steps below, but they may be different on your device, depending on make, model and operating system. Just keep poking around until you find them.
Outsmart the outdoors
Here’s how to enjoy nature without turning your home into a campsite.
🐤 Smart bird feeder (44% off): Watch feathered friends in 2K day or night. The built-in AI IDs 10,000+ species for you.
Electric flyswatter (33% off): Rechargeable and fitted with a purple light that draws pests in. Way easier than clapping at thin air.
🚪 Magnetic screen door (15% off): Fresh air in, bugs out. Double-stitched mesh with 52 magnets snaps shut instantly.
Filtrete air filters (29% off, six-pack): Certified to help with asthma and allergies. Basically, a bouncer for your sinuses.
🫣 Portable blackout curtain (13% off): Blocks 100% light and UV rays. Comes with a travel bag to beat jet lag.
🏠 Click, shop, conquer: From cleaning supplies to DIY tools, check out my updated home helpers page on my Amazon storefront.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Saving passwords in your browser? Stop that.
“Hi, Kim, I save all my passwords in my browser. So why do I need a password manager? Thanks for your newsletter. I can tell it’s a lot of work. The quality every single day is incredible.” — Robby in South Carolina
💾 Free up space on Windows: Low on storage? Clear out temporary files. Go to Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files, check what you don’t need, then hit Remove files. You might gain back a few gigabytes. FYI: Look inside your Downloads folder first. There might be something important in there.
🪐 Out of this world: NASA confirmed its 6,000th planet beyond our solar system. Lava worlds, Jupiter-size gas giants and even double-sun planets are straight out of Star Wars. Another 8,000 are waiting in line, and scientists think that within a decade, we’ll spot Earth-like worlds that could support life. Who knows, maybe even one with a Chili’s.
Millions are falling for fake apps
Fake AI apps are flooding app stores, stealing logins, and tricking users with bogus reviews. Here’s how to spot them and keep your phone safe.
Am I crazy or has my phone been hacked?
Lilly from Indianapolis thinks her phone has been hacked. Can she prove it? Also, the Secret Service crushes a nightmare cyber plot. Plus, the dark side of Amazon Prime, AI celebrity boyfriends, and digital shoplifting. Don’t miss this!
📵 Manage blocked contacts on iPhone: In iOS 26, blocked numbers and emails are in a new area. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Blocked Contacts to see your full list. Tap any name to unblock, or hit Add Blocked Contact to manually type in a phone number or email address.
Pay up or get buried in fake reviews
Small businesses are under attack with fake Google Reviews demanding cash. Here’s how scammers target contractors, movers, and repair shops and what you can do to protect your reputation.
☢️ Watts up? OpenAI locked in a deal with Nvidia to build AI infrastructure running on 10 gigawatts of GPUs. That’s about 10 nuclear reactors. Nvidia’s dropping up to $100B on the project going live in 2026.
Comfort on the go
Don’t just get by, travel like a pro.
🔋 Mini portable charger (50% off): Boosts your battery from 1% to 50% in just 30 minutes. Works with iPhone and Android.
🚗 Car seat cushion (25% off): Memory foam turns your stiff car seat into a first-class throne.
🧡 Kid’s travel tray (23% off): Waterproof, wipeable and comes with a no-drop tablet holder. That’s peace of mind.
🧦 Compression socks (14% off): Pick from 35 styles and keep your legs feeling fresh on long-haul flights.
🤢 Motion sickness relief (8% off): No more green face emoji. These nondrowsy chewables let you actually enjoy your trip.
🧳 Pack smart, ride happy: See 35 more travel must-haves on my Amazon storefront.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Read this before you renew your car insurance
You’ve probably seen this pitch from your insurance company: “Drive safely and save. Sign up for our smart driving program today!”
You’ve got a squeaky-clean record, so what’s the harm, right? Before you sign up, let’s pop the hood.
📦 Don’t let old gadgets collect dust: Amazon will happily take your old tablets, phones and smart speakers off your hands. Tell them the condition, and you’ll get a gift card in return. Sweetener? Trade in Amazon gear like a Ring Camera and score 20% off a new device. Hoarding problem solved.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Hackers and data leaks are everywhere, and I don’t take chances. That’s why I use NordProtect. Shield your identity with dark web monitoring, browser protection and up to $1M in coverage for only $5.22/month. I switched from LifeLock and am saving over $200 a year!
Will I be able to sing?
Roger Love, vocal coach to Bradley Cooper and other big stars, turns me into a songbird. Yes, I sing in this show. Then, the U.S. leases China’s TikTok algorithm, sketchy routers, and Facebook Dating’s AI wingman. Plus, why some people turn to the wild world of free sperm donors on social media.
Your smart speaker is building a case against you
Alexa might be listening more than you think. George, your AI host, breaks down how much data your smart speaker is really grabbing, plus the Venmo ‘oops’ scam that could cost you big, fragile iPhone 17s, the MGM hacker teen, and device advice you need to hear.
📱 Fix misbehaving Android apps: If something keeps freezing or crashing, clearing its cache usually helps. Go to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Storage & cache (or Storage), and tap Clear cache. Careful though: Don’t hit Clear data. That wipes your settings, logs you out and resets the app completely.
🎰 Hacker hits the house: In 2023, a hacker group called Scattered Spider phished MGM’s IT desk on LinkedIn, then nuked slot machines, room keys and reservations from the inside. MGM lost over $100M refusing ransom. Caesars paid $15M. One of the hackers just turned himself in and, drumroll … he’s a teenager! He’s facing six felony charges.