Welcome to the start of an amazing week, friend. 🤘 Wait … this emoji means what now? I thought it meant “Rock on.” But according to Gen Z, it means “I love you.” Seriously. The internet is in full meltdown mode. So if your kid texts 🤘 and you respond with concert tickets, don’t be surprised when they roll their eyes and say, “That’s cringe.”

You know I dig into privacy, scams and tech traps every day but the run-in I had at my bank really made me stop and shake my head. It’s today’s deep dive. — Kim

When I told my bank I didn’t want them using my voice as a biometric security measure, they pushed back — hard.

“It’s for your protection,” they insisted.

But here’s the deal: I didn’t ask for it. I didn’t consent to it. And I definitely don’t want a recording of my voice floating in some database I have zero control over.

🧬 Your voice is you

We’ve all seen the headlines. AI voice cloning isn’t some futuristic sci-fi threat. It’s happening right now. You’ve heard my voice a thousand times. It would be nothing to clone it.

But guess what? It’s just as easy to clone yours.

All it takes is 10 seconds of audio. Just enough for a scammer to say, “Hi, I forgot my password,” in your voice. Once you hand over your voiceprint, there’s no taking it back.

🚨 The identity arms race

Here’s what to do, and it’s super simple: Call your bank’s customer service line and ask to opt out of voice authentication.

It takes two minutes. Can’t do it now? Set a reminder. You’ll thank yourself later.

Pro tip: Never Google your bank’s number. Scammers plant fake listings. Use the number on your debit card or go directly to the bank’s official website.

🛡️  Want even better protection?

You’re probably already doing a lot right:

✔ Strong password

✔ Two-factor authentication

✔ Only banking on secure Wi-Fi

✔ Checking your transactions often

High five! Now, here’s how to go even further:

• Secure keys: Physical or app-based tokens that generate 30-second passcodes. Safer than SMS.
• Real-time alerts: Get notified about logins, charges or changes instantly. I do, and it’s saved my butt.
• Account lockouts: Automatically lock your account after failed login attempts.
• Advanced login protection: Some banks (like Morgan Stanley) require a one-time code if you log in from a new location or device.

☕ Don’t do this at Starbucks

Too many people get this wrong, and it’s a big risk.

If you’ve ever logged into your bank account at a coffee shop, airport, hotel or anywhere on public Wi-Fi … yikes. You might as well be handing your info to a stranger at the next table.

If you have to bank away from home, there’s one smart move: Use a VPN.

I use ExpressVPN (a longtime sponsor of my national show) because it’s fast, simple and with one click, it locks down your connection.

✅ Tap here to get four extra months of ExpressVPN free when you sign up.

And hey, do your good deed for the day: Forward this to someone you care about. AI voice scams are spreading like wildfire, and most people have no clue what’s coming.

🏋️ Get into gear on Amazon’s Big Spring Sale.

• Track your steps, heart rate and more with a Fitbit (25% off).
• Get a smart scale (37% off) to measure more than pounds.
• Recover from sore muscles with a massage gun (45% off).
• Grab a nonslip yoga mat (34% off) for support.
• If you do Pilates like I do, this bar kit (23% off) is great.
• Hop with a cordless jump rope (19% off) that won’t tangle.
• This running armband (23% off) holds your phone and earbuds.
• Hit the trails with hiking poles (23% off) that fold up quickly.
• Protect your skin with SPF 50 sunscreen (33% off).

🥤 Quench your thirst: An insulated flask (15% off) and a hydration backpack (17% off) help you stay cool on the go.

💸 $8.2 million in crypto seized: Give the DOJ a hand for cracking down on romance baiting. You know, scammers promise to love you forever, help you invest in bogus platforms and vanish with your money. One woman lost over $660,000 (her life savings), and the scammer still asked for another $300,000 to “improve her credit score.” Wondering if you’re getting scammed? Ask me here.

🚨 Chrome warning: Watch out for websites offering free file conversions, like .doc to .pdf. Hackers are booby-trapping them with malware that can steal your SSN, banking info and passwords. FYI: These sites are hard to spot, so make sure you’ve got real-time antivirus protection. This is the one I use.

Ford wants to bring back stick shift: Yep, they filed a patent to add manual transmissions to EVs. There won’t be real gears. It’s all to make EVs feel more fun to drive. Ironic, considering only 18% of all Americans know how to drive manuals and can’t catch a brake.

📦 Remember the iPhone porch pirates? It was a major crime ring (paywall link). Hackers built software to scrape FedEx tracking numbers, then bribed AT&T employees to leak delivery addresses and order details for thousands of phones. Once the package showed up, a runner would grab it. Wild. 

Apple’s revamping the Health app: They’re adding an AI virtual doctor (paywall link). It’ll analyze health data from your devices and give you personalized tips to stay healthy, eat better and improve sleep. ETA: Sometime next year. I see me doing tips on how to remove your data, too.

😱 This could be the start of something terrible: Scientists are on the verge of growing spare human bodies for medicine! Seriously. It’d likely be done using stem cells and artificial wombs, and could help with the organ shortage and testing new drugs. These “bodyoids” apparently wouldn’t feel pain or be able to think. Yikes.

🌲 This is tree-mendous: Nearsightedness in kids is exploding because of screens. Get this. In a study, children were placed in a classroom with tree imagery and a sky-like ceiling. After a year, they showed less vision decline than those in a regular room. Time to go outside, kids!

You can’t touch this: Say you want to share a Google Doc but you don’t want other people messing around in your file. Click Share, then change the link settings to Anyone with the link and choose Editor. Before you hit “Send,” replace the text in the URL that says “edit” with “template/preview.” It’ll force recipients to make their own copies. So smart!

Timing is everything: Make your next YouTube video a hit by scheduling when it goes live. In YouTube Studio, upload your video, then go to Visibility > Schedule. Pick a time when your people will watch when it drops. This helps more people find your video.

🤓 Teeny-tiny print? On your iPhone, open the built-in Magnifier app. Not your home screen? Swipe down and search for “Magnifier.” Voila, your camera’s now a magnifying glass. I used this to see my router’s model number this morning. On Android, go to Settings > Accessibility > Magnification, then use gestures to zoom in anywhere. Might be different depending on your make and model.

LinkedIn growth hack: When it comes to followers, 150 is a magic number. Once you reach that many, your page will grow nine times faster than pages with fewer than 150 followers. If you run a biz, ask your employees (and everyone else you know) to follow. Psst, if you’re hiring, use my link to post a job for free.*

🎤 iPhone & Android Tip: Turn off voice access to keep someone from using voice commands without unlocking your phone. 

• iPhone: Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode. Scroll to Allow Access When Locked and toggle off Siri. 
• Android: Go to Settings > Lock Screen or Security. Tap Secure Lock Settings. Toggle off Voice access while locked (name may vary by device)

I mentioned this sighting on Google Maps in yesterday’s newsletter. Whoever left this comment for me, it makes sense. Next time, please leave your name. 

 👩🏼‍⚖️ I know this firsthand: Years ago, I was an expert witness in a case where Apple accused a Phoenix company of stealing its code. On the stand, I was asked what a certain routine did. “Nothing,” I said. It was just a loop, A to B to C and back to A. The other side claimed it was a vital part of their software. I shut that down fast. Apple planted it as a trap. It was a piece of useless code designed to catch copycats red-handed. 

Thanks for being here. Tomorrow, I’ll show you how your DNA could be online even if you never handed it over. That and more in the best tech newsletter in the USA. What’s one tech mystery you’ve always wanted me to explain?   Hit reply. I’m listening. — Kim