Why is Apple drooling over PayPal’s falling shares? Here’s a quick recap, in 60 seconds.
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Data-hungry apps: These are the worst for your privacy
Big Tech is always after your data, and that’s especially bad when it affects national security. TikTok has been accused of spying and sending U.S. data to China. Tap or click here to keep your info safe.
Facebook, Instagram, PayPal, YouTube, eBay, Google, and TikTok. These are some of the biggest names in tech, with billions of active users worldwide. You likely have accounts with some or all of these companies. Did you read the fine print before agreeing to their privacy policies? Most people don’t.
Just what is the extent of information these companies are collecting on you? Which are the worst offenders? Read on for our report.
Do you ever read the fine print?
According to a Pew survey, 97% of Americans say they’ve been asked to approve privacy policies. Yet only a handful of adults say they always (9%) or often (13%) read a company’s privacy policy before agreeing to it.
And 38% of adults say they sometimes read these policies, but 36% say they never read a company’s privacy policy before agreeing. You are with most app users if you’ve ever consented to a privacy policy without thoroughly reading through its terms. That’s not good at all.
Business lender OnDeck put together a list of 200 of the most invasive apps in terms of data collection. The worst offenders track data segments, such as your name, payment methods, precise location, purchases, contacts, browsing history, search history, diagnostics and more.
RELATED: The hidden privacy report in your phone you should start checking
Here are some key findings from the study:
- Facebook Messenger is the most invasive communications app, requiring permission for 32 data segments.
- PayPal is the most invasive finance app, collecting 26 data segments.
- eBay is the most invasive e-commerce app, collecting 21 data segments.
- Glassdoor is the most data-hungry HR and employee management app, requiring 21 data segments.
- Google Drive is the most invasive content and files app, collecting 19 data segments.
How to quickly scan Terms of Service
You’ll always give up some privacy when using an app. The app’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service explain what information it collects and where that information is going. If you’re not going to read the whole thing, try this workaround instead:
5 tricky PayPal scams going after your money
Knowing how scams work is key to outsmarting them. Social media profiles are usually the primary targets for scammers, but they are also known to go after payment systems.
With PayPal being one of the most used globally, it is no surprise that it is one of the most targeted platforms. Common sense is not enough to keep yourself safe, as the scams have become more complex and convincing.
Need to talk to a real person? 10 hard-to-find tech support phone numbers
Not all companies make it easy to find support phone numbers on their sites. They want you to fill out a form or use the chat function, but sometimes you might really need to speak to someone.
Want to contact one of the biggest retailers on the planet by phone? Amazon doesn’t openly advertise its phone number and prefers you go through other forms such as a chat window in your Amazon account. Do you still want to make that phone call? Tap or click here for more.
Don't click that link! New phishing emails could be very hard to spot
Many websites that provide a service or information let you sign up for their newsletter. Sent out a few times a month, it usually includes details about upcoming deals, company news or service improvements. Tap or click here for information about getting Kim’s newsletters.
Before you click a PayPal link, read this warning - Sign it's really a phishing scam
There are several ways to send and receive money worldwide, but almost half a billion users prefer PayPal. The payment system is so popular that in the last quarter of 2021, it processed 5.3 billion transactions. Tap or click here for the PayPal account limited phishing text claims.
True or false: You need to submit a selfie with your taxes this year
Many careers have been affected by the pandemic, as people were laid off or switched to remote work. Others found new sources of income, selling things or providing services online.
If you receive income via third-party payment processors such as PayPal, CashApp or Venmo, you may need to change how you report it. The government has added a provision for people earning more than $600 per year through third-party payment processors. Tap or click here to see how this change may affect you.
True or false: The federal government is tracking payments to friends and family over $600
The deadline for filing 2021 taxes is coming up. Tax Day falls on Monday, April 18, 2022. Is your paperwork in order?
Tax deductions are not always clear-cut. You may miss an opportunity to reduce the amount of money you need to send to Uncle Sam. We went ahead and put together eight tax deductions to get you started. Tap or click here to check out our list. And there might be changes that impact you this year.
Skip the credit card and pay online with one of these 5 safer options
You’ve probably heard by now that our supply chain is broken, causing shortages in tons of items that people need every day. That includes things you want to buy as gifts. So if you haven’t started your holiday shopping, there’s no more time to waste.
Thousands of crypto accounts drained - Don't make this money mistake
When cryptocurrency came about, few people thought it had any value. Today it’s an integral part of many people’s investing strategies. Crypto like Bitcoin and Etherum have continued to soar in value. Tap or click here for 12 questions you’re too embarrassed to ask about Bitcoin.
Bots are scamming people on Twitter for donations - Here's how to spot their tricks
Payment apps like Venmo, Cash App, Google Pay, Zelle and PayPal are great for paying for goods and services and sending money to friends. You can even use some of them to split a bill at a restaurant. They’re an easy alternative to credit cards that are becoming more widely accepted as time goes on.
Here's how much your credit card is now worth on the Dark Web - and the one account worth a lot more
Payment apps make it easy to pay back friends, settle up a restaurant bill or order something online. There’s also a sanitary advantage, as you don’t have to handle credit cards, payment machines or cash.
While convenient, payment apps do carry risks. There are right and wrong ways to use them safely. Tap or click here for our tips on locking down these apps.
Skip the card: How to pay with your phone or smartwatch
Credit cards have been around for nearly three-quarters of a century and have evolved to the point where you don’t even need to swipe your card or insert it into a chip reader. Using Radio-frequency identification (RFID) or Near-Field Communication (NFC), you need only hold your card close to the reader or tap it to complete a transaction.
Use a PC? This new Microsoft phishing scam is mighty convincing
Over the last few years, we have seen several phishing and cyberattacks that seemed ingenious. From masking their appearance to hiding in plain sight, criminals will always develop malware to be as untraceable as possible.
Use Venmo? This is the biggest privacy update in years
The popular payment app Venmo ran into some trouble not too long ago. A rather controversial option in the app allowed others to see who your contacts are. Even the President of the U.S got caught in the data leak.
The feature was a bit of a social feed of who paid who. If you bounced from one contact to the next, you could eventually find your way to the contact details of influential and well-known people. That is naturally not good for anybody using the app.
Money scams are out of control: How to lock down your bank or payment app
Contactless payment has gained traction, thanks in part to social distancing. Rather than handle cash or even swipe a card, you need only hold your smartphone close to a payment terminal, scan a QR code or send money directly through a peer-to-peer (P2P) app.
Renting a new home or apartment? Top money-stealing scams and how to avoid them
You can’t turn a corner without running into a new scam or hustle nowadays. These scams touch nearly every aspect of life, including renting a home or apartment. In 2020 alone, more than 13,000 victims lost $213 million to rental scams, the FBI reports.
Uncle Sam wants to know about your Bitcoin
Bitcoin is going mainstream. You can buy a Tesla with it or use it to pay for goods on PayPal. And guess who else is noticing? Good old Uncle Sam — and he wants his cut.
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Do you use CashApp, Zelle or Venmo? Don't make this mistake
Advances in technology have made every aspect of our lives easier. This has become more obvious with people staying home during the pandemic.
Many of us have been able to work from home during these troubling times and one tool that’s made that happen is video conferencing apps like Zoom and Google Meet. Tap or click here to find out which video conferencing service is right for you.
Scam alert: PayPal account 'limited,' phishing text claims
Another day, another phishing scam. If it seems like we’re dealing with a huge influx of scams right now, you’re right. We are.
Email and web-related scams skyrocketed at the start of the pandemic, and they’re still going strong. Tap or click here for ways scammers are using COVID vaccines to get you. Add in the other recent types of schemes, like shopping and IRS scams, and it’s clear that cybercriminals have been working overtime.