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Why you should not use WhatsApp
“Kim, I heard the call with the man who lost $60,000 in a crypto scam. You said anytime someone wants to move the conversation to WhatsApp, it’s a scam. Why is that?” — Dennis in Washington
Thanks for the question, Dennis. I’m glad you heard that call. Heartbreaking. And unfortunately, it’s not rare. When someone says, “Let’s move this conversation to WhatsApp,” it’s almost always the beginning of a scam.
By the way, I don’t know if you’re aware that many of these scammers are victims of human trafficking in Myanmar. They’re forced to work in scam compounds where they spend 12 to 16 hours a day targeting people around the world.
If they don’t hit their scam dollar quotas, they’re beaten. So it’s not personal, their lives depend on stealing from people.
📲 App-solutely a trap
Scammers are taught to not be watched. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and even regular old email have systems to detect fraud and spam. You can report messages, block shady profiles and sometimes recover lost money.
WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal are a different story.
These are encrypted apps designed for privacy. Great for your personal life, but also great for criminals. Once the conversation moves there, there are no moderators, no scam detection systems and no help when things go wrong. You’re on your own.
Scammers start where you trust them. Maybe it’s a message from someone who looks legit on LinkedIn. Maybe it’s a friendly DM on Instagram or a Facebook message from someone who says they’re in finance or crypto.
At first, it sounds professional. Then comes the switch:
- “Let’s move this to WhatsApp, it’s easier.”
- “I’ll send you the investment details on Signal.”
- “I only do business on Telegram.”
That’s when the manipulation begins. You’ve stepped off the platform with guardrails and right into their controlled zone. You’re isolated. And once they start asking for your money, there’s no one to step in.
All wired up
⚡ Plug these picks into your day and thank yourself later.
- 🖱️ Game changer: Forget lag, this speedy ergonomic mouse (43% off) has 11 programmable buttons.
- 🎥 Look sharp: A 4K webcam (23% off) with 4.4 stars, 34,000+ reviews = zero grainy Zoom calls.
- 💡 Alexa, set the mood: From party vibes to chill nights, this smart lamp (22% off) has range.
- 🔌 Clip it good: These cord organizers (13% off, three-pack) hold down your charger before it hits the floor.
- ⌨️ Dirty keyboard? Blast away crumbs and gunk with an electric air duster (21% off).
🤖 Smart tech, small price: There are more gadgets on sale (like this portable monitor) up on my Amazon shop, right now.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Kim’s picks to save your vacation
Traveling soon? Don’t leave your common sense at home. These safety gadgets aren’t “nice to haves.” They’re the kind of gear you’ll wish you got before your bag went MIA (or worse).
Before you say, “Kim, I already took my summer vacation,” perfect. This is your last shot to snag these deals before prices head north for good. Let’s get you prepped.
Find the subscriptions you forgot about: I use Rocket Money, an app that finds all your recurring subscriptions and lets you easily cancel anything you don’t want. The first time I logged in, it saved me $435!
🚨 This is important: Google Search is dead. If your content isn’t showing up in ChatGPT, Perplexity or Gemini, you’re invisible to millions of potential customers. Whether you run a business, blog or sell anything online, this shift changes everything. I couldn’t fit it all in this newsletter. 👉 Read my full post here. Let me know what you think, or drop me a question about it in the comments.
The iPhone Fold
Apple’s AI flops while folding phone rumors fly. Will this new phone distract from Siri’s shortcomings?
Nearly $9,000
That’s what someone paid for one of Michael Jackson’s dirty socks at an auction in France. A technician found it after a concert in Nîmes, and it’s been preserved in a frame for 28 years. The twist? Back in 2009, a casino dropped almost $350,000 on the glove he wore for his first moonwalk dance. Beat that.
🖨️ Save your printer’s cartridge: Arial might look clean, but it eats through ink faster than you think. A better option: Try Times New Roman. Tests show it can use up to 27% less ink over time. To make the switch, tap the Font drop-down menu at the top in Google Docs or Microsoft Office.
Simplify legal docs with AI
About to sign an important contract? Use AI to break it down in plain English before you commit.
Stay groovy, Old Faithful: Social media’s latest doomsday fantasy? That Yellowstone’s wildlife is fleeing an imminent volcanic eruption. The panic started with a fake post claiming “hundreds” of the park’s ~40 mountain lions were fleeing. Bears “escaping” turned out to be filmed in a drive-thru zoo in South Dakota. Someone posted a herd of wildebeests in Africa. Speaking of… What did the dad say after dropping his son off at Yellowstone National Park? Bison! (lol)
Smart shower thoughts
🛀 You’re in there every day. Might as well make it awesome.
- 📱 Scroll and soak: This rotating phone holder (10% off) keeps your screen high and dry.
- 😌 Instant spa: Breathe in these eucalyptus steamers (17% off, 15-pack) with 4.4 stars & 23,000+ reviews.
- 🚿 No drills, no drama: A suction caddy (6% off, two-pack) turns shower chaos into vertical bliss.
- ✨ Your glow mode: Vibrate away dirt, oil and stress with this anti-aging brush (33% off).
- 👣 Swampy floor? Not with a memory foam bath mat ($10) that soaks up water fast.
💭 Sink more about it: There’s way more where that came from over on my Amazon store.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Introducing The Current AI Podcast
For years people have been asking for an audio version of The Current Newsletter and now with AI, we’re finally able to deliver!
Charlie Chaplin’s in theaters after 100 years
Charlie Chaplin famously rereleased his 1925 silent classic The Gold Rush in 1942 with new narration and edits, believing it would connect better with modern audiences. Now, thanks to film archivists and AI, the silent masterpiece has been painstakingly restored. The 4K version just premiered at Cannes and hit 250 theaters worldwide.
🔴 Red pill teens are rising: “Red pilled” used to mean you saw the truth, like in The Matrix. Now it’s code for online communities where young men vent about women, feminism and dating, often turning hateful, sexist and sometimes racist. It’s becoming a gateway drug for disillusioned boys looking for belonging. Make sure your guys are not partaking.
Your laptop will thank you: Windows 11 swapped out Power saver for a new Energy saver mode. Go to Settings > System > Power & Battery > Energy saver. Turn on Always use energy saver to dim the screen, pause app syncing and disable fancy effects. Or set it to kick in automatically at a battery level, like 20%.
Scammers hijacked his business
I talk to a listener whose farming business was cloned by fraudsters online. Got laid off? Here’s why CEOs are bragging about it. Plus: why SEO is dead, ChatGPT’s new tech support agent, and how to resell your unused vacation.
Lawn and order
🌻 Outdoor life comes with quirks. I’ve got your fixes.
- 🦟 Bee bite-free: Slap on a mosquito repellent bracelet (10% off, 20-pack). No more messy spray.
- 💦 Go with the flow: This lightweight garden hose (42% off) works year-round and doesn’t kink.
- 🍃 Leaf it to me: Blow, vacuum and mulch in one swoop with a three-in-one leaf blower (13% off).
- 🔥 Too hot to handle? No prob. These grill gloves (10% off) are like oven mitts on steroids.
- 💡 Backyard brilliance: These floodlights (24% off) catch any movement, like would-be creeps.
🏠 Rather be inside? There are plenty of smart finds for the great indoors waiting for you on my Amazon shop.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
📱 Check if your device is still supported: Not sure if your phone, tablet or e-reader is past its prime? Go to endoflife.date. Search for your gadget to see if it’s been discontinued or if the manufacturer has ended support. That usually means no more security updates, and it might be time to stop using it.
🧨 The dronepocalypse starts now: New FAA rules (Part 108) will nix those tedious waivers and unlock drone flights over people, at night and out of sight. Great for commercial use like deliveries or for agriculture. Awful for an air traffic control system still running on floppy disks. Also: D.C. just let drones fly in the capital.