There’s a government warehouse that stores just about everything you could imagine — vitamins, “domestic sludge,” a standard bullet and even a jar of peanut butter that sells for about 200 times the going grocery store rate. It even maintains a cybersecurity database with all known software vulnerabilities. You’ll find all this at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. So, what is going on?
The fresh face of payday loans: Cash-advance apps
You get paid next week, but your credit card bill is due this week, and, oops, so is that new car payment. You’re only a few hundred bucks short — you just need a way to bridge the gap.
Unfortunately for you, there’s an app for that. Actually, there are dozens. They’re called cash-advance apps. And most things about them tick me off.
Their names make it sound like you’re borrowing from a friend, like “Dave,” “Albert,” or “Brigit,” or like they’re giving you a leg up, like “Empower.” But trust me, there’s nothing empowering about them.
I dug up the dirt they don’t want you to know about and how to avoid getting caught up in their scheme.
What has two thumbs and owes 376% interest?
You, if you fall for this BS. These apps are just big yellow Payday Loan signs with a fresh coat of paint. They target folks living paycheck to paycheck, and once you’re in their clutches, it’s nearly impossible to get out.
Get this: The average APR on an advance from these apps is 376% — pretty much identical to a typical payday loan’s 400% markup. And that’s if you manage to repay it in one to two weeks.
And you probably won’t. Studies show that 75% of people take out another advance the same day or day after making a repayment. And if you’re using one, there’s a good chance you’ll get hooked into others, too.
On top of ludicrous fees …
They ask you to “tip” for the service. Some apps even try to guilt you, saying they’re helping “vulnerable people” with the money. Sure, they’re not gonna break your kneecaps or repo your car, but these companies are still laughing all the way to your bank.
One home health aide in Texas pays a day-and-a-half of work per month in fees. She didn’t know about the free option to transfer money immediately instead of one to three days — these apps make it hard to find on purpose.
My (free) tips to avoid the trap
3 tricks to see if your passwords are being sold on the Dark Web
Hackers can make a ton of money by selling your private information on underground forums. It’s possible that your passwords are being sold on the Dark Web right now. That’s why you should run a cybersecurity check now and then.
💊 Who’s in your doc’s pocket? Worried your doctor might not be giving you impartial advice because they’re getting paid by Big Pharma? Look ‘em up in this government database (U.S. only) and see which companies are giving them money. That includes celebrity doctors, too, if you’re feeling nosy!
$75 million
Record ransom, paid to ransomware gang Dark Angels. This fairly new gang goes after some of the largest companies in the world. Once they’ve hacked into a database, they send a ransom note threatening to expose the stolen data on their site, Dunghill Leak. They say they’re “making the world more secure.” I’ll tell you one thing they’re definitely making: A boatload of money.
Protect your privacy: A guide to avoiding drone surveillance
I share a ton of tips to protect your privacy online. Do this quick 30-second check to keep your Google and Facebook accounts safe if you haven’t yet.
What about when you leave your home? Just about everywhere you go, you’re being watched.
Find out if your doctor takes money from drug companies
Doctors and health care providers don’t just make money from your health insurance payments. Many doctors and hospitals also get paid by pharmaceutical manufacturers and other companies. Do you know who’s paying your doctor?
361 million
Stolen email addresses found in the Have I Been Pwned database. Type in yours to find out if you were part of any recent data breaches. If so, it’s time for a password change — and stay on high alert for scams.
💊 Who’s in your doc’s pocket? Worried your doctor might not be giving you impartial advice because they’re getting paid by Big Pharma? Look up your doc in this government database (U.S. only) and see which companies are giving them money. That includes celebrity docs, too!
Tell me more: The ProductFrom website is the perfect match if you ever wonder, “How do I know if a product is from China?” or “Where did this come from?” Their database contains 112,000 products, so there’s a good chance you’ll find what you’re looking for.
60M records exposed: Fitbit, Apple, Google health info leaked in massive data breach
Whether you are a professional athlete, casual runner or enjoy tracking your fitness level, you need an app to record progress. There are many of these apps available, and some smartphones come pre-installed with them. Tap or click here for five health apps you never knew existed.
1.9 million records leaked after online photo editor hacked
There are tons of easy-to-use photo editing apps available. Whether you’re looking for a quick glow-up from the Facetune app or need an app that can help you create the perfect image, you’ve got plenty of options.
One of the best free online editors that we’ve recommended in the past is Pixlr. This free photo editor offers a ton of helpful tools. But a recent hack gave cybercriminals access to millions of users’ records, which could lead to some pretty serious issues.
Credit card info of millions of guests leaked in travel site data breach
If you’ve traveled any time since 2013, it might be time to check your bank accounts. Three of the web’s biggest travel sites have leaked personal and financial data for millions of users, including payment card details.
Time your favorite TV shows for binge watching
Forget baseball — binge watching is the new American pastime, quarantine or not. And with so much media at our disposal these days, why not curl up on the couch and watch some of our favorite TV shows back-to-back? It’s not like we have to wait days and days between episodes anymore.
Looters won't be able to use iPhones swiped from Apple Stores - here's why
Apple has long included security features for its smartphones and other gadgets, and one of the most prominent the company has to offer comes bundled with every single iOS device it makes: Activation Lock.
This feature works by using your Apple ID and password to ensure the phone can be tracked if stolen. What’s more, it can remotely erase the device if the user logs in via iCloud.com. And because this feature takes place at the firmware level, resetting the phone won’t remove the lock. This even applies to people selling their own phones! Tap or click to see why.
Calling all bookworms! Find your next great read
If you’re a reader, you know the bittersweet feeling of finishing a book and feeling that moment of “Wait, what now?”
Even if you have a stack of books waiting on your nightstand, it’s easy to feel like there’s always something better out there. Millions of new titles are published every year, after all.
Adult streaming website leaks 11 million emails and private chats
Keeping sensitive information secure is getting more difficult by the minute, especially during this pandemic. That’s because cybercriminals are constantly on the attack, adding high tech tools to their arsenal that help them spoof websites, create impressive phishing emails and hack into websites to steal data.
Get personalized TV show recommendations with this free streaming app
Many of us are a month into social distancing and staying home. Our streaming queues are, unsurprisingly, a little bare.
Before we get too far, here’s a quick PSA: Your smart TV is like a hidden spy in your living room. Tap or click here to find out how to make yours bug off.
Out of work? Check this site before you apply for a job
If you’ve been laid off recently, you’re likely aware of how difficult it is to find a new job right now as unemployment rates are surging. As companies are laying off, furloughing employees, and initiating hiring freezes in response to the uncertain economic outlook, it can make the job search more difficult.