Don’t ditch your old iPhone. From security cam to kid-safe game device, here’s how to give it a second life.
Identity thieves are coming for your insurance
Midjourney
I was shocked by this stat the other day. The National Insurance Crime Bureau says identity theft–driven insurance fraud is projected to spike 49% by the end of 2025.
Really, insurance fraud?
You see, identity theft isn’t just about someone opening a store credit card or taking a car loan out in your name anymore. Criminals are using stolen info to pull off insurance fraud to quietly file bogus claims that will jack up your premiums and deny you future coverage.
🪪 They’re not amateurs
These scammers are building synthetic identities. Think people made from a mix of real info (like your Social Security number) and fake details. Then they use those ghost identities to buy policies and file false claims to collect the money.
Let me break it down:
- In Iowa, an insurance adjuster allegedly forged clients’ signatures to reroute settlement checks to himself.
- In Texas, a man used his ex-wife’s identity to open an auto policy and pocket all the payouts.
- And NICB warns that synthetic IDs are now being used to file fake life insurance and medical claims that can sit undetected for years. Wow.
🚨 So what if it’s not ‘you’?
Here’s the part no one tells you: Even if the fraud isn’t in your name, it can still come back to bite you.
If someone builds a synthetic ID with your SSN or address, insurance companies may flag you as high risk, especially if there are multiple claims tied to your data. That means higher premiums, denied coverage or even getting dropped altogether.
Trying to untangle that mess? It can take months of fighting with insurers, credit bureaus and law enforcement. In the meantime, you’re stuck with the consequences. This kind of fraud is quiet, invisible and devastating if you don’t catch it early.
That’s why I use NordProtect, a sponsor of my radio show. It monitors your personal info (Social Security number, email, phone number, address, etc.) and watches for signs it’s being used to open insurance policies, take out loans or commit fraud. If something shady pops up, you’re alerted immediately, and Nord guides you through shutting it down fast.
Health data, now with ad targeting
Bing Image Creator
Your smartwatch is great for counting steps and buzzing you when you’ve been sitting on your butt too long. But have you ever stopped to think where all that personal data is going?
From sleep patterns to how stressed you are on a Tuesday afternoon, it’s all being logged in a digital diary. And guess what? That diary is worth big money to advertisers, insurance companies and, of course, hackers.
🙂 Don’t worry, be happy: Or just move to Hawaii, Maryland or Nebraska. Those are apparently the three happiest states, where the biggest stress is whether your corn’s tall enough, your crab’s spicy enough or your mai tai’s strong enough. WalletHub crunched 30 metrics (depression, income, job security) and crowned the trio champs of health, wealth and vibes.
Check app permissions on Mac: New apps often ask for access to your files, microphone or location. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security, then check sections like Location Services, Contacts, Photos and Camera. You can disable access on an app-by-app basis.
VPNs that spy on you
Bing Image Creator
Using a VPN? Better make sure it’s not on this list.
VPNs are supposed to keep you safe. They encrypt your internet traffic and hide your location from hackers, ISPs and creepy ad trackers.
Hidden setting lets apps spy on you through Bluetooth
Midjourney
Think Bluetooth is just for headphones and car calls? Think again. It’s one of the sneakiest ways apps track you, and most people have no clue it’s happening.
Even when GPS is off, your phone is constantly “sniffing” for nearby devices like AirTags, smartwatches and fitness trackers. That’s normal.
🔒 Big iPhone 17 security upgrade: Apple’s adding a new feature called Memory Integrity Enforcement to take on spyware. It’s always running in the background, protecting the kernel and 70+ processes, which makes stealing your data a lot tougher. The catch? It only works on the new A19 chips. Older iPhones will still get a memory safety update, but not like this.
🏁 Drive‑by hacking? It’s a thing: Researchers discovered serious security flaws in Apple’s CarPlay systems that allow attackers to remotely take control of a car. Once inside, they can play music, hijack in‑car displays, eavesdrop on conversations and track a vehicle’s location. No patch from Apple yet.
🚨 Microsoft Patch Tuesday: The latest update fixes 86 security flaws across Windows, Office, SharePoint and more. The scariest? A remote code execution bug in Microsoft’s High Performance Compute pack. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
Apple targets you with ads: Apple feeds you ads in the App Store, News and Stocks. They’ll tell you it’s “privacy-friendly.” Turn it off on your iPhone: Settings > Privacy & Security > Apple Advertising > Personalized Ads. Done.
🛑 Don’t trust that form: Listen, if a Google Form ever asks for your bank info or logins? Close it immediately. Scammers are churning these out because they look clean, official, even hosted on Google’s real servers. Stanford staff fell for one already. Think of it this way: Forms are for pizza orders, not your Social Security number.
🍏 Turn off iPhone analytics: Apple collects usage data and location info from your device to “improve services.” They say it’s anonymous, but why risk your privacy? Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements and toggle everything off. Bonus: You’ll get a tiny battery boost since your phone won’t be uploading data in the background.
Your phone’s more intimate than your diary
ChatGPT
Our phones hold everything: photos, texts, money apps, health info, even our bad selfies. Handing over access to your partner? That’s not just convenient. That’s trust on a whole new level.
Some people think it’s the 2025 version of giving someone a house key. Others worry it’s a recipe for drama, or even the prequel to a Netflix true crime doc.
Kim’s 25 top Labor Day deals
Euhomy, Insignia, Dreamegg, Levoit
You know I can’t resist a good sale. Amazon’s Labor Day best weekend deals are finally here, and I did some digging so you don’t have to.
Here’s a link to everything on sale, if you want to explore. Have fun!
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Don’t just freeze, fight back
ChatGPT
Ashley in Washington asks:
“Kim, do I really need identity theft protection? I used to have LifeLock years ago and dumped it because they constantly were selling me other things. I heard you say on your radio show that you use NordProtect now. Why? How is any of this different than freezing your credit? Love your show and newsletter!”
🚨 Farmers Insurance data breach: Hackers stole data on 1.1 million Farmers Insurance customers. They grabbed names, addresses, birth dates, driver’s license numbers and the last four digits of Social Security numbers, everything they need to steal your identity. Farmers is notifying people, but until then, keep an eye out for phishing scams. They’re coming.
New scam trick: Fake sites that look too good
Midjourney
Here’s the newest con in town: Scammers are using AI to clone legit websites, and they’re scary good at it. I’m talking about perfect logos, identical layouts, right down to the fonts and buttons.
The crazy part is that they spin these sites up in minutes. Then, they shove them to the top of Google, where you search for your bank, power company or even a government site. One wrong click, and boom, you’ve handed over your login, your info, your identity.
My pick for home security: Keep your home safe without the hassle. SimpliSafe installs in minutes, no wires or contracts, and comes with HD cameras, sensors and 24/7 monitoring. Get 50% off your new system today!
👾 Free VPN, but you’re the product: FreeVPN.One, a Chrome extension with over 100K installs, was busted taking covert screenshots of people’s activity and sending them to a sketchy server. The dev claims it’s for “security scans,” but researchers say that’s a lie with encryption on top. Google’s store still lists it. Basically: Chrome blessed spyware with a gold star. Need a solid private VPN? Hit this link to get 4 months free.