4 suspicious behaviors to avoid at the self-checkout line
Self-checkout stations are convenient and often less stressful than waiting for a clerk. Is it worth the risk of being taken aside and questioned? We have an easy way to make your dollar stretch on groceries. But today, we’re here to talk about self-checkout safety precautions you should be utilizing.
Below are mistakes you might already make at the self-checkout in any of your favorite stores.
1. Scanning things too quickly
Yes, you’re in a hurry. Why else would you be checking out on your own? Going too quickly, however, might get you stopped while checking out or walking back to your car.
Legal professionals urge innocent patrons to take as much time as possible during self-checkout to avoid raising suspicion. This good habit can also help you prevent accidentally skipping small items and other potentially costly mistakes, such as improperly weighing produce.
2. Using your cell phone at the kiosk
There are so many distractions in any store. Your kids, other people and your smartphone are all vying for attention as you try to leave.
Chatting or texting while checking out is dangerous for the reasons described above. Small mistakes may lead to more considerable misunderstandings, so it pays to keep yourself focused and on-task.
3. Covering the camera
Most places like Walmart have a small camera trained on shoppers using self-checkout. Bags, bulky clothing and the stuff you’re buying might not always obscure its view, but it’s something to watch out for.
A clean, clear video of you checking out is the ultimate defense against allegations that may or may not arise later. Why block your ticket to vindication?
4. Buying too many things at once
Scammers' latest trick: Getting you to open a OneNote document
Cybercriminals have been spreading malware through phishing emails for quite a while. But a new twist is making the rounds catching victims off guard. Instead of using malicious Word docs to spread malware, they have turned their attention to OneNote documents.
Read this before you try to score a deal on Facebook Marketplace
Some social media platforms have made it easy for you to buy stuff from other members. Facebook Marketplace is one of the most popular. The problem is it’s littered with scammers.
Read on for five scams you must know about before buying anything on Facebook Marketplace.
This portable charger caused a house fire - Do you have one?
Third-party smartphone accessories are often convenient and affordable, especially in a pinch. The facts, however, suggest that using unauthorized things like chargers could put your household at risk.
Even trustworthy companies have problems with their products at times. One couple learned this valuable lesson after a fire almost destroyed their Maryland home recently. The brand behind the power bank is already pulling products from its site.
No, that's not an angry email from your boss - Don't fall for this new scam
Americans are hard-working, and most of us take pride in what we do. So, it can be jarring when a customer or a colleague complains about your work ethic. The dreaded “I want to speak to the manager” or “Corporate will hear about this” is enough to ruin a perfect day. Tap or click here to save time in your workday with this new Slack trick.
Scams are getting smarter - Don't fall for this one tricking Amazon customers
Holiday shopping scams should be no surprise at this point. Thieves know tons of people are looking for great deals on the hottest items of the season and do their best to rip them off. Tap or click here for details on holiday shopping scams that are already making the rounds.
Navigation, parking, maintenance and more: 6 best car apps
Hitting the road before winter fully kicks in seems like a great idea. With so many options and locations to choose from, it can be difficult to pin down where exactly it is that you want to go.
But no matter where you are going, make sure to take safety precautions ahead of time. Tap or click here for five smart travel tips to keep you safe. You’ll also want to plan, so you know the perfect destinations, money-saving ideas and more.
Watch out! A malicious ad is the top result when you search for this company on Google
So many different scams have transpired over the past year that it can be hard to keep up with new ones. The COVID-19 pandemic has opened up new ways for cybercriminals to target people on the web.
Think about all the COVID-related scams we’ve seen over the past few months alone. There have been tons of vaccine scams, stimulus check scams and even disinformation campaigns targeting people looking for vaccine information. This COVID vaccine scam is particularly nasty – here are the signs to watch for.
Buying a pet? Do this first or you could get scammed
Imagine buying a pet that doesn’t even exist. Unfortunately, that’s happening more often than ever before.
Pet fraud has skyrocketed since COVID-19 began. The Better Business Bureau says people lost $3 million to puppy scams in 2020.
3 ways to exchange lousy gift cards for what you really want
If you’re like most people, you have a small stack of unused gift cards collecting dust somewhere. Why? Because kind-hearted people gifted them to you, not realizing they’re to stores you don’t really like.
How much money is sitting in that pile, going to waste? Why not sell them for cash or exchange them for gift cards to places you actually want to shop at instead? This way you can visit your favorite retailer’s site and get that outfit you’ve been eyeing up lately. Tap or click for 4 essential steps to safer online shopping.
One thing you must do before you go out to eat during the pandemic
After a few long months of being stuck inside, it’s understandable that most of us are looking forward to getting back to at least a semblance of normalcy. Many states have started lifting restrictions over the past month, and businesses continue to reopen.
Grocery prices hit 50-year high - here's what's more expensive
Another 3 million Americans filed for unemployment this week, bringing the number of total filings to nearly 36.5 million since mid-March. Needless to say, a lot of people are struggling.
If you know someone who has lost their job, they may be able to find work as a contact tracer. Tap or click here to find job openings in your area. This position pays pretty well, too.
Watch out! This streaming scam could drain your bank account
If you thought a global pandemic would stop cybercriminals in their tracks, think again. The dregs of society haven’t cut back on their devious schemes at all.
In fact, they’ve ramped up attacks by incorporating COVID-19 into many of their scams. Tap or click here for details on the latest coronavirus-related scams.
Check your possible coronavirus symptoms using the CDC's new AI-powered bot
The number of people infected with the coronavirus is growing every day. We all need to play a role in flattening the curve. Start by practicing social distancing and regularly washing your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
Tour Jerusalem's holy sites using virtual reality
Many of us are going stir crazy from practicing social distancing. As claustrophobic as it may make you feel, it’s an important step to help flatten the curve.
Even if you’re staying home as much as possible, eventually you’re going to need to go out to grab some groceries. The good news is there are safety precautions you can take to help stay protected. Tap or click here for tips on shopping safely.