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Identity thieves are coming for your insurance
I was shocked by this stat the other day. The National Insurance Crime Bureau says identity theft–driven insurance fraud is projected to spike 49% by the end of 2025.
Really, insurance fraud?
You see, identity theft isn’t just about someone opening a store credit card or taking a car loan out in your name anymore. Criminals are using stolen info to pull off insurance fraud to quietly file bogus claims that will jack up your premiums and deny you future coverage.
🪪 They’re not amateurs
These scammers are building synthetic identities. Think people made from a mix of real info (like your Social Security number) and fake details. Then they use those ghost identities to buy policies and file false claims to collect the money.
Let me break it down:
- In Iowa, an insurance adjuster allegedly forged clients’ signatures to reroute settlement checks to himself.
- In Texas, a man used his ex-wife’s identity to open an auto policy and pocket all the payouts.
- And NICB warns that synthetic IDs are now being used to file fake life insurance and medical claims that can sit undetected for years. Wow.
🚨 So what if it’s not ‘you’?
Here’s the part no one tells you: Even if the fraud isn’t in your name, it can still come back to bite you.
If someone builds a synthetic ID with your SSN or address, insurance companies may flag you as high risk, especially if there are multiple claims tied to your data. That means higher premiums, denied coverage or even getting dropped altogether.
Trying to untangle that mess? It can take months of fighting with insurers, credit bureaus and law enforcement. In the meantime, you’re stuck with the consequences. This kind of fraud is quiet, invisible and devastating if you don’t catch it early.
That’s why I use NordProtect, a sponsor of my radio show. It monitors your personal info (Social Security number, email, phone number, address, etc.) and watches for signs it’s being used to open insurance policies, take out loans or commit fraud. If something shady pops up, you’re alerted immediately, and Nord guides you through shutting it down fast.
Connected and clutter-free
🌡️ My pick: Smart thermostat (32% off)
Heat up your smart home game. Control the temp and track your usage from your phone. Basically pays for itself with lower energy bills.
🔌 Cord hider kit (55% off): Easy install, snaps into place, and suddenly your space looks tidy. 4.5 stars and 18K+ reviews.
LED light blocking stickers (40% off): Kill the lights without killing your gadgets. Just peel, stick and enjoy the darkness.
💻 Lap desk with cushion (50% off): Portable, ergonomic and way better than hunching over your coffee table.
Surge protector power strip (23% off): Eight outlets + four USB ports + a flat plug = no more outlet wars.
🤖 Today’s best tech bargains: These are just my top picks. My Amazon shop is packed with more gadgets on sale.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Health data, now with ad targeting
Your smartwatch is great for counting steps and buzzing you when you’ve been sitting on your butt too long. But have you ever stopped to think where all that personal data is going?
From sleep patterns to how stressed you are on a Tuesday afternoon, it’s all being logged in a digital diary. And guess what? That diary is worth big money to advertisers, insurance companies and, of course, hackers.
📱 iOS 26: The new Photos app can turn a regular 2D picture into one with a 3D effect. Open a photo, tap the Spatial button under the ellipses icon, then hit Share > Use as Wallpaper. Tap the Spatial button again. Now when you lock and wake your phone, your wallpaper will pop with a 3D effect. Super cool.
Robo-blitz incoming: Amazon is layering AI over NFL broadcasts like queso on fries. You’ll gradually start noticing video game-like overlays on Thursday Night Football. You’ll see if your QB’s about to get pancaked, whether your team has even a prayer of a comeback and which defender’s sneaking up to ruin the drive. I love tight ends.
Facebook profits from sick ads
Social media’s dark side is growing. Reports show Meta profited from ads selling child-like sex dolls, even as scams and exploitation spread across its platforms. With billions in resources and AI tools, why is Big Tech still failing to stop it? Here’s what you need to know.
1
The number of parents needed to make some baby iguanas. A female casque-headed iguana at Exotic Zoo in England just gave birth to eight healthy hatchlings without ever meeting a male. The phenomenon, called parthenogenesis, makes the babies genetic clones of mom, one of the rarest events in the animal kingdom. My bet? A very sneaky male iguana.
📚 Kickstart your next chapter: Hunting for a good read? The #1 book on Amazon right now is The Let Them Theory by Mel and Sawyer Robbins. Think of it as a manual on how to let go of what you can’t control, whether at work, in love or while chasing your goals.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
How AI can nail your next interview
Feeling nervous before a job interview? Stop. Studies show saying “I’m excited” boosts your chances. Here’s how AI and ChatGPT Voice Mode can help you practice answers, simulate a recruiter, and get interview-ready with no pressure.
💸 Say goodbye to paper checks: Starting Sept. 30, Social Security, veterans benefits and IRS payments will only be sent electronically. Most folks already use direct deposit, but if you’re still getting checks, you’ll need to either open a bank account or request a Treasury-issued debit card by calling 800-967-6857. Don’t wait on this.
Feel better, live smarter
🧠 My pick: Renpho smart scale (43% off)
Step up and get the full picture. Not just pounds, it tracks body fat, BMI and more, right to your phone.
❤️ Blood pressure monitor (22% off): Keep an eye on your ticker with an at-home cuff that stores readings for your whole family.
Metal tongue scraper (40% off): Kiss bad breath goodbye. Your mouth (and your friends) will thank you.
💊 Travel pill organizer (30% off): Eight roomy compartments for meds = zero excuses for missing your daily dose.
The Pink Stuff multipurpose cleaner (40% off): Social media’s favorite grime-buster actually lives up to the hype.
✈️ Check out more of my travel helpers.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
The catfisher in the minivan
Alert: This article is a spoiler for Unknown Number: The High School Catfish on Netflix.
Imagine you’re a high school girl. Your phone won’t stop buzzing. It’s not friendly DMs, texts or social media notifications.
📶 Save data on Windows 11: On a capped plan? Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > select your network’s properties. Scroll down and toggle on Metered connection. This cuts background data usage and stops automatic updates.
Parent app overload: Parenting used to mean packing lunch. Now it’s like managing a startup. Schools have separate apps for buses, grades and announcements, and parents get 80+ emails a month. Kindergarten has more software than my first job.
📧 Share Gmail without your password: Need to give someone access to your inbox? Go to Settings > See all settings > Accounts and Import > Grant access to your account > Add another account. Enter their email, and they’ll get an invite. Easy.
Delete a selfie? Facebook saw it
A former exec says Facebook tracked teen girls deleting photos, then pushed beauty ads right when they felt vulnerable. Plus, New York City is testing crime-predicting AI, and Ken from Ohio shares how his Apple Watch saved his life.
The cloud is actually in the ocean
The world’s internet runs on wet spaghetti under the sea, and when those cables snap, we all feel it. George, your AI host of The Current, explains how fragile our digital lifeline really is, then covers poisoned calendar invites, an AI lawsuit, TikTok’s survival deal, Roku’s bot-made ads, and Amazon’s big hardware reveal.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Presenting in Google Slides? Press W to turn the screen white or B for black during a slideshow. Great for pulling attention back to you instead of the slides.
💊 Beware the Benadryl: A South Carolina teen landed in the ER after trying TikTok’s “Benadryl Challenge,” sending her heart racing to nearly 200 bpm while hallucinating. She’s OK, but high doses can cause seizures, coma, even death. Her parents are warning other families.