Scammers always find a way in

February 1, 2024

Bluetooth uses a radio frequency to share data over a short distance. It’s baked into just about every smartphone you can buy nowadays. But, as with any connection, it has its vulnerabilities.

My advice: Turn off Bluetooth when not using it. Keeping it active all the time makes your device more vulnerable. Plus, you’ll get more battery life.

On iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth and switch it off.
On Android, go to Settings > Connected Devices > Connection Preferences > Bluetooth and switch it off. (Note: Steps vary based on your phone model.)

⚠️ You’d be surprised what someone can do if they break into your phone via Bluetooth.

Tags: Apple iPhone, battery

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Sky-high car insurance rates? Blame it on all the tech in our cars

My car insurance just went up 32%. Did I have an accident or get a few tickets? Nope. Since 2020, car insurance rates in the U.S. have risen by a whopping 37%. The main reason? High-tech vehicles — aka anything remotely new — cost way more to repair. And you don’t need to have a high-tech car to feel the pinch. It’s hitting everyone.

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A safer way to log in to your Amazon account [guide for computer or phone]

Whenever something new that can help protect your security pops up, you can count on me to make sure you know about it. Good news. Amazon just got on board the passkey train. Passkeys replace your (probably not that strong) password with something no one can hack: Your fingerprint or face ID.

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Getting pricey: Arlo is bumping its Secure subscription plan pricing from $4.99 to $7.99 monthly (after already increasing it from $2.99). FYI, existing users can lock in the old rate for a year. If you’re looking to switch, I recommend SimpliSafe.

500 citywide ordinances in the US banning single-use plastic bags

Five of the biggest programs account for 5.5 billion fewer plastic bags per year. This is your reminder to put the reusable bags in your car.

Tragic loss of life tied to supplements sold online

I ran into an acquaintance I hadn’t seen for a few years, and she’d lost a ton of weight. I asked her, “Did you start an exercise program?” Nope. She’s taking supplements she heard about on TikTok. That bothered the heck out of me, so I did some research.

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Wrong place, wrong time: A 61-year-old man got nabbed for a robbery he didn’t commit. After a brutal jail assault, he’s suing Macy’s and Sunglass Hut’s sketchy facial recognition software. He was identified from low-quality camera footage.

🥰 “Hey, Drewski!” Drew Barrymore was catfished on a dating app by an “NFL quarterback” — aka a musician who was just pretending. Her response: “I hate you … You’ve made me feel stupid.”

Carbon dating: Nelly Idowu and crew stole over $6 million from women over 65 through romance scams. They created fake profiles, conned widows and wiped out victims’ life savings. There are more cons than love nowadays. Warn your fam and friends.

FBI scam warning: Impersonators pretending to be tech support or government officials claim your accounts have been compromised. They’re actually getting people to convert assets into cash or precious metals, and then they arrange for a courier pickup. Do not fall for this!

1 in 3 Gen Zers prefer self-checkout — because it makes shoplifting easier

This blows me away. Nearly half of Gen Zers surveyed who said they plan to steal will target the most expensive item in their carts.