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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.
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.
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.
🔐 Weak passwords are so last decade: Every single one of your accounts needs its own unique password. No repeats! I know, it’s a pain. But it’s also the best way to keep hackers from turning one slipup into a full-blown disaster. Make your passwords 16+ characters, and mix in uppercase, lowercase, numbers and symbols. Or save yourself the headache and use the password manager I trust to keep everything locked down and organized. One click, and you’re safer online.
🚨 TSA power bank crackdown: Folks, your charger might not make it through security next time. Power banks must be in your carry-on and within the 100Wh (27,000mAh) limit. If it’s unlabeled, too powerful or packed wrong, TSA might confiscate it. Need a replacement? This one’s 40% off.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Hands-off AI regulation
In 1993, leaders resisted calls to control the internet and it changed the world. Now, the U.S. is taking the same approach with AI.
2 eggs a day
Can help lower bad cholesterol with a big oval but. You also have to eat a low saturated fat diet. Think lean meats, low-fat dairy and plant-based proteins. The real villains? Butter, bacon and whatever else is deep-fried on your toast. Speaking of… A piece of toast and a hard-boiled egg walk into a bar. The bartender says, “Sorry, we don’t serve breakfast here.”
🛒 Clear your Amazon search history: Great for hiding gift ideas or clearing out those very awkward clicks. On desktop, hover over Account & Lists under Hello, [Your Name] at the top. Click Browsing History, find the item you want to hide and select Remove from view. Because “I was hacked” only works once.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Stop your TV from collecting data
Your smart TV isn’t just watching shows, it’s watching you. Here’s how to stop it from tracking everything you do.
Stream your own drama: Fable Studio just got Amazon funding for Showrunner, an AI platform where you can script shows, insert yourself into episodes and get paid if others build on your story. It’s $10 to $40/month and launching publicly this week. Your next group chat meme could be a full TV episode.
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.
Fitness granny falls in love with ChatGPT
Could you fall in love with a chatbot? Influencer and author Andrea Sunshine did, but her digital romance came to a sudden end when her chat logs were deleted. She shares how the relationship began, what it feels like to connect deeply with AI, and what she’s doing to get her chatbot lover back.
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.
🚗 Shock and vroom: Ford says it’s cooking up an EV so revolutionary, it’ll make the original Model T look like a horse and buggy. On Aug. 11, CEO Jim Farley promises to show off a sub-$25K electric car that’s built to scale, fast, cheap and U.S.-powered.
Add labels to your Windows 11 taskbar: No more guessing which icon does what. Right-click the Taskbar, go to Taskbar settings > Taskbar behaviors, then scroll to Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels. Change it to Never to always show labels, or When taskbar is full to show them until space runs out.
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.
Strong bones aren’t just about calcium
Your ankles, knees, hips… They all depend on collagen to stay stable and supported. As we age, our natural collagen levels drop fast, especially after 50.
That’s why I take NativePath Collagen every single day. It’s like nutritional backup for the structure under your skin.
Whether I’m walking the dogs, hopping on stage, doing Pilates or catching a flight, I want my joints to move like they used to. This one small thing helps keep me going strong.
🛒 Try it for yourself: 45% off, free shipping and a free frother included!
🛍️ Get $20 after your first purchase: Try Kudos. It’s a free tool I love that helps you rack up the best credit card rewards automatically, no guesswork. It shows you which card gets you the biggest perks. Use code KIM, and you’ll get $20 back after your first purchase. Free money? Yes, please.
Teen taxi takeover: Waymo just dropped a self-driving car service (paywall link) for teens in Phoenix, with plans to expand. Kids ages 14 to 17 can summon robot cars to school, soccer or wherever else, no license needed. Parents are jazzed. “So like my dad’s Waymo can pick us up at 6 if your mom’s Waymo can drop us off at 10.”