Ausharee Mcleod says her 5 year old son’s Ring camera was hacked after he heard a voice whisper “hey” in the middle of the night.
Porch pirates are getting smarter – here's how to keep your packages safe
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are less than a week away, and I’m planning to finish up the rest of my shopping list. I’m also watching my deliveries and so should you.
Porch pirates are going all out to steal your stuff this year. One thief even disguised themself as a bag of trash to swipe someone’s orders. That’s pretty funny, but what’s next sure isn’t.
Pirates are hacking tracking numbers
Thieves are hacking into AT&T and FedEx records to watch tracking updates and swoop in on your packages minutes after they arrive. Apple iPhones are their No. 1 target, because AT&T doesn’t require a signature to deliver them. (I share how to change that below.)
Plenty of thieves just wait and watch or follow drivers and strike once the truck stops. The average gift stolen this year is worth $204. That’s way more than a stocking stuffer.
Free ways to protect your packages
Request a signature: Have someone home to receive the package, especially if it’s something expensive. Amazon can email you a secure passcode you have to give to the delivery driver in person for pricey deliveries. Here’s how. A thief won’t have that code!
👉 Use these links to manage your FedEx and UPS delivery preferences and opt into tracking updates.
Get it right to the garage: With Amazon In-Garage Delivery, drivers scan your package for a one-time access code to open your garage door — no repeat access allowed. All drivers undergo a background check; see if it’s available in your area.
Send it to the office: If you can get packages sent to the front desk at work, do it. Just make sure you’re not getting anything delivered you wouldn’t want your coworkers to see. 😳
Try an Amazon Locker: It’s like a smart P.O. Box. Choose a locker, and when your package arrives, Amazon sends a one-time code to your phone to access it. There are 40,000 of them across the country, and they’re in most cities. Use this map to find one near you.
Outsmart ‘em
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Ask Kim: 'Can you help me find a dashcam for Mom?
If a creep follows your mom to her car, a dashcam can capture videos to later use as evidence in a criminal case. Reputable options like the Ovedisa or BlackVue are both excellent choices.
🚙 Get her a dashcam that records what’s happening in front of and behind her vehicle. This option connects to an app that lets you view, download and share videos. It’s 30% off now, and be sure to check the box for another $30 off. (Makes a great gift, btw.)
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
⛔ Ring, ring: Is your smartphone safe to use? This free site tells you if yours is cut off from important updates.
Ticketmaster hack exposes data of 560M customers
Got concert tickets? Your personal info might be on the market. Plus, why Gen Z is ditching driving, the latest malicious apps on Google Play, and how an international burglary ring is using Wi-Fi jammers.
Here’s some trivia about something you probably do every day — CAPTCHA. You know, those annoying “tests” to prove you’re a human and not a bot. Which of these words isn’t part of the CAPTCHA acronym? Is it … A.) Completely, B.) Automated, C.) Turing or D.) Hackers?
500 catalytic converters
Are stolen every month in Los Angeles County. It was 900 per month a few years ago. Police there are curbing thefts by etching VINs onto catalytic converters, making them easier to track. Give your local police a ring to see if they offer something like this. If not, ask them, “Why not?” I had the converter stolen out of my truck. What a pain.
Porch pirates are worst in these states
What is the average value of a stolen package? About $50. Who are the ones doing that stealing? Data shows that 94% of porch pirates are 45 and younger, and 67% are middle class. That’s a little surprising, wouldn’t you say?
Have a Ring doorbell? Soon you’ll have to pay for these features
A video doorbell is an excellent option to see who is at your door without getting off the couch or if you aren’t home. A popular choice is Amazon’s Ring. Tap or click here to see what Amazon knows about you when you use a Ring doorbell.
Know someone who has a Ring doorbell?
The check might be in the mail. Yep, Ring is settling a class-action lawsuit.
40,000 dings
From a digital doorbell to alert ecologists fish are waiting to pass through a canal lock in the Netherlands. More than 1.2 million people have tuned in to the canal livestream to see whether any fish are waiting. If they are, altruistic streamers are invited to ring the doorbell for a fish who can’t (because, you know, no hands).
The FTC call scam
Get a ring from the FTC? Beware, it could be bad actors looking for cash. Here’s how I know.
Turn your doorbell into "The Grinch"
Want to ring in the holidays with a little bit of mischief? Here’s how you can.
The Amazon driver and the "racist" Ring doorbell
A Baltimore Amazon driver claimed that when he rang the Ring doorbell, he was greeted with a racist slur. Here’s what happened next in 60 seconds.
AirPod hearing aids, Tesla’s autopilot danger & steamy texts online
Plus, do you know how your doorbell data is being used? If you have a Ring or Nest cam, it’s being sold. I talk to a man who didn’t fall for a scam, thanks to my advice. Times to post online to go viral, track all the shows you watch, and how to find hidden spy cams.
This handy product solves the Ring doorbell's biggest problem
Did you know that a video doorbell can deter up to 50% of crime on your property? Wireless Ring doorbells are one of the market’s most popular, easy-to-install security items. But these battery-powered models need to be charged to do their jobs.
87% of Americans don't know how their doorbell camera data is being used
Got a Nest or Ring doorbell? It’s keeping a log of your home activity. Here’s what you should know, in 60 seconds.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to upgrade to a video doorbell without wiring it
Video doorbells are one of the best investments you can make for home security. It’s been shown they can deter up to 43% of criminals from actually causing problems. Tap or click for seven clever new uses for your smart doorbell camera.
What if your Ring records your neighbor — and he objects?
Do you have a Ring video doorbell? Your neighbors might say you’re invading their privacy. Here’s what you should do, in 60 seconds.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices