We’re skewed: The U.S. House of Representatives just put its foot down, banning data brokers from selling your info to China, North Korea, Russia and Iran. Rulebreakers will face heavy penalties from the Federal Trade Commission. Spoiler: It’s too late.
Amazon makes it so tricky to cancel that the FTC sued - Here’s how to do it
Ever thought about everything Amazon knows about you? I don’t just mean your favorite shampoo and what food your dog eats. Use this link to get a copy of everything Amazon knows.
Amazon Clinic is a whole different level of data collection. Is it safe to use? Prepare to be shocked. Here’s my take.
Then there’s Prime. If trying to cancel your Amazon Prime membership feels like taking the SATs, it’s not just you. The Big Tech behemoth set it up like that on purpose. Let’s look at what you get, whether it’s worth it and how to cancel if it’s not right for you.
Operation … what now?
A Federal Trade Commission lawsuit claims Amazon hid its schemes from federal investigators. Regulators say Amazon execs delayed or rejected user experience changes that would’ve simplified the cancellation process.
It’s no wonder they did. Because of the confusing maze of instructions, Amazon reduced cancellations by 14%. The runaround includes four pages of deals, offers, snooze alarms and several other distractions.
Amazon codenamed its scheme “Iliad Flow,” a nod to Homer’s legendary epic about the Trojan War.
Is Prime worth your money?
Is Prime’s $139 yearly (or $14.99 monthly) fee worth it? Here are some of the top features that keep customers hooked:
- Free two-day delivery on over 10 million items.
- Free one-day or same-day shipping on some orders over $25.
- Exclusive access to Prime Day deals.
- Two-hour grocery delivery from Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh.
- Access to stream music, movies and TV shows through Prime Music and Prime Video.
Prime probably isn’t worth it if you shop less than a few times a month and don’t care about extras like Prime Video. Chances are, the free shipping won’t outweigh the cost of your membership. Without Prime, shipping fees typically cost between $4 and $10.
Did you know: You can buy packages from Amazon that the buyer never claimed? Get shopping!
Canceling your Amazon Prime membership is a total maze
If trying to cancel your Amazon Prime membership feels like taking the SATs, it’s not just you. According to new leaked internal documents, they set it up like that on purpose.
Because of the confusing maze of instructions, Amazon reduced cancellations by 14%. So, what did they do? And is Prime even really worth it?
Looking for a job? Don't fall for this scam
Though many companies are calling employees back to the office, plenty of remote job opportunities exist. Tap or click for companies offering work-from-home positions right now.
An online company that promises high-paying jobs with the United States Postal Service (USPS) was recently hacked. Security researchers found leaked data on 900,000 customers, including complete credit card records.
Good news! This annoying type of scam call was just banned
“Hi! We’ve been trying to reach you about your car’s extended warranty.”
If you’ve ever received a call like that, you’re far from alone. The good news is you might not have to deal with them moving forward, thanks to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a new ruling that’s expected to free the public from this nuisance.
Did you use this mental health app? It shared data with Facebook
Professional therapy can be expensive. Fortunately, mental health apps can help without breaking the bank. But the last thing you want is for one of these apps to share your medical data with the most prominent social media networks.
Buying health supplements on Amazon? This well-known company just got hit with a fine for faking reviews
The Federal Trade Commission just outed a major supplement retailer operating from an Amazon storefront. The crime? False reviews farmed to sell their wares. It confirms that you must be careful when shopping online, even for the most popular brands.
3 immediate steps to take if you fell for a scam
You went online and opened up an email that you thought was from your bank, or maybe you received a call from the IRS demanding payment before they filed charges. You panicked, sent them money, and then found out you were the victim of scammers. Maybe you’re anxious, embarrassed and at a loss for what to do next.
Listen to these fake Medicare calls defrauding older Americans
If you or a loved one is on Medicare, we urge you to remain cautious if anybody calling for your information gives you trouble. An unscrupulous scam is making the rounds that you need to be aware of. Thieves are making phone calls pretending to be Medicare representatives. In reality, they’re trying to rip you off.
The real danger of those seemingly harmless online quizzes
Social media is an excellent way to stay connected, but sometimes you inadvertently share more than you should. They might seem innocent, but hundreds of quizzes are going around that can expose sensitive information. It’s best to opt for an auditory illusion like this one, which doesn’t require personal answers.
Give wisely: Before you donate money, check the charity’s rating
Do you give charitable donations during the holiday season? Many people do, which is why you see so many people in Santa hats ringing bells outside bustling stores.
Have you ever wondered where that money goes? What about other charities like cancer research, children’s hospitals or even places like Ronald McDonald House?
Sick of scammers? How to sue scam callers
Robocalls are out of control, and many of them are not innocent. Some lead to scammers ripping off unsuspecting victims. Tap or click for five ways to stop bots and spammers from calling you all day. If you are a victim of a scam call, wouldn’t it be great if you could sue the scammer?
Warn the students in your family: Data leak + student loan scam
Thieves are always on the lookout for new ways to rip you off. They often send phishing emails trying to trick you into clicking malicious links that install malware onto your device or steal account credentials.
More brazen criminals will even have the courage to call you on the phone. They will spin an elaborate scheme hoping to scam you out of your money. If you fall for a scam, some steps must be taken immediately. Tap or click here for details.
Sorry, you aren't inheriting millions - It's a scam
It’s the plot of so many movies: A long-lost relative leaves behind a mouth-watering fortune. Who doesn’t want to be the protagonist in a story like that? You could leave your financial worries behind in a lucky twist of fate. Or you could take on more by falling for an inheritance scam.
Tech support' asking you to download an app to your computer? Here's a new reason to say no
Struggling with an application or website might prompt you to reach for the phone and call tech support. It’s not a bad idea, and that is why the helpful tech support is there. But it becomes dicey when you search for the number online.
Using Kaspersky's VPN? Here's how to remove it from your PC, Mac or phone
As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine shows no signs of slowing down, hundreds of international companies are enacting various trade bans or sanctions on the country. Companies like Microsoft, Google and Apple stopped operations or pulled their products from Russian shelves.
At-home COVID tests: Red flags you bought a fake
We’re not out of the woods yet. The omicron variant is spreading, and more people are getting infected. This leads to a higher demand for COVID-19 tests, as evidenced by the long lines you may have seen outside testing centers.
As federal student loan payments are set to resume, watch out for scammers
Repaying a hefty student loan can take years and a lot of hard work. With so many people impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, last year the government put a pause on federal student loan repayments.
Now the Coronavirus emergency relief program is set to come to an end in just over a month and those payments will resume. Need to save money? Tap or click here for how to get a student discount at Apple (and you don’t need a student ID).
Use Verizon? There's a new data tracking program gathering your info
Your privacy is at risk as long as you have a connection to the internet and online accounts. Though your actions have a big impact on how much others can find out about you, there are some things beyond your control.
Another phony IRS email is making the rounds - DO NOT click it
It’s a shame that thieves are taking advantage of the pandemic. Countless scams related to vaccines, vaccination cards, economic relief, employment and the COVID virus itself have surfaced.
One scam making the rounds involves a text message informing recipients that their unemployment benefits are expiring. The message includes a link to a fake state workforce agency site that requests personal information. Tap or click here for details on this scheme.