Scammers know exactly how to trap you. When a friendly message on social media suddenly moves to WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram, it’s a red flag. Here’s how to spot the warning signs and stay safe.
Stop one-touch theft
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Tap-to-pay is slick, fast and super convenient until it isn’t. Scammers have figured out how to use that same technology to steal your money without you even knowing.
It’s called “ghost tapping,” and it’s spreading so fast, the BBB issued a major alert about it.
💳 How it works
A scammer carries a hidden NFC reader, the same tech used in legit payment retail terminals, and bumps up close to your credit or debit card. If your card is contactless and not protected, boom, a payment goes through.
No swipe. No PIN. No clue it happened.
These crooks hang out in crowded spots like malls, airports, festivals and train stations. If your tap-to-pay card is sitting loose in a bag or back pocket, they can charge you by brushing past. It’s that easy.
Even worse? They often start with tiny amounts, so it flies under your radar. A couple bucks here, a coffee there, and they keep draining your bank account.
🛡️ Stay a step ahead
You don’t have to give up tap-to-pay. You just need to outsmart the scammers, especially when you’re in a crowd.
- Use an RFID-blocking wallet or card sleeve. These physically block anyone from scanning your card when you’re not using it. Cheap fix, big peace of mind. Here are some great sleeves (50% off) and wallets for men (60% off) and women (40% off).
- Turn off tap-to-pay if you don’t use it. In most banking app settings, you can turn off contactless features or set a low limit. Do it.
- Watch the screen before you tap. If something looks off, like the merchant name or amount, stop. Don’t tap and hope.
- Add transaction alerts. Most banks and card apps let you turn on push notifications for every charge. If something sketchy goes through, you’ll know right away.
💪 If you found this warning helpful, forward this newsletter to a friend or family member or simply use the share icons below now. This kind of scam hits hard.
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Speaking of glasses, lights out, creep on: A hobbyist named Bong Kim (no, it’s def not me on 4/20) is charging folks $60 to disable the tiny LED on Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses. Yeah, the one that lights up when you’re recording. Meta built it to stop creeps from filming in secret. Kim’s mod kills that warning completely, so the specs can still record with no light. I’m telling you, these glasses are a creeper’s dream come true.
72 hours
That’s the weekly grind for typical AI startup workers. It’s the infamous “996” warning label, that’s 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. six days a week, that feels more like working in the 1950s (minus the pensions, drinks, cigars and long lunches). AI may replace us eventually, but until then, it’s replacing our sleep.
💻 Emergency Windows restart: If your PC is totally frozen, don’t just hold the power button. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del to open the security screen. Then hold Ctrl and click the Power icon in the bottom-right. You’ll get a warning about losing unsaved data. Click OK to restart right away.
📸 “I let him in”: TikTokers are making fake “AI homeless man” pranks, photos of random strangers edited into their homes, then sent to partners or parents for shock value. One viral post hit 5.5M likes before police nationwide started warning: It’s not funny, it’s dangerous. The pranked are calling the cops in a panic, wasting everyone’s time.
Watch warns before it’s too late
The Apple Watch just leveled up. Beyond EKGs and blood oxygen it can now detect hypertension, the silent killer that strikes without warning. Here’s how Apple’s newest health feature could save your life.
💊 Beware the Benadryl: A South Carolina teen landed in the ER after trying TikTok’s “Benadryl Challenge,” sending her heart racing to nearly 200 bpm while hallucinating. She’s OK, but high doses can cause seizures, coma, even death. Her parents are warning other families.
Using AI at work? You’re liable
If your business uses AI for legal, medical, financial, or investment advice, you are fully liable for everything it generates. AI mistakes can cost you big, and insurance won’t cover it. Protect your company and share this warning with your team.
Web traffic is tanking
If your site traffic just dropped 40%, Google’s AI Overviews could be to blame. Plus, the “Hawk Tuah” girl’s rebrand and why free AI tools may not be what they seem. And here’s a warning: never use your voiceprint at the bank.
The Costco gold bar scam
Gold prices are soaring and scammers are cashing in. Learn how fake FTC callers are tricking people into buying gold bars worth thousands. Here’s how to spot the warning signs and protect your money before you become the next victim.
Your doctor's new secret weapon: AI
AI is now in the exam room. Here’s how it’s changing your doctor’s visit. I’ll also take you inside Raya, the exclusive dating app for celebrities and CEOs. Plus, the FBI’s latest email scam warning and the next generation of big-screen TVs.
🚨 Built to be recalled: Have a Ford truck? They’re recalling over 355,000 after the dashboards started ghosting drivers. If you’ve got a model from 2025-26 (including F-150 and Super Duty lines), you might be missing key info like speed and warning lights. Fixes will be free and come via over-the-air updates or at a dealer. Just make sure yours gets it.
🔥 Labubust: The BBB is warning shoppers to beware fake Labubu products flooding online stores. These $60 toys are the “must-have” item of summer, so of course, swindlers are crawling out of the woodwork. Look for misspellings, busted websites and prices that are too good. Oh, the humanity! Not the Labubus, anything but the Labubus!
👁️ A vision of perfection: I told you this would be reality 11 years ago! New FDA-approved VIZZ drops promise crisp near vision for 10 hours, no glasses needed. Using aceclidine, it “pinhole” focuses your pupils without messing with distance sight. Basically, your eyeballs get an instant camera upgrade. This is great, now I can read warning labels before ignoring them. (lol)
🧳 Travel warning: Here’s something I never even thought of. Then again, I’m not a thief. Scammers are hanging around baggage claim areas grabbing the luggage tags you throw away. Why? The tags contain your name and flight info, which can be used to file fake missing item claims and get cash from airlines. Folks, keep those tags on until you’re home.
Fake pics, real charges: A student was hit with a $9K damage bill after her NYC Airbnb host claimed she cracked furniture and peed the bed. But the “proof”? AI-edited photos. Airbnb initially sided with the host, then backpedaled fast after a newspaper got involved. Full refund issued, host slapped with a warning. PSA: Take inside and outside videos of any rental property.
🚨 Docusign warning: Scammers are sending fake Docusign emails claiming you’ve been charged by companies like Apple or Netflix. They tell you to call a number if you didn’t make a purchase, but it’s actually fake customer support trying to steal your info. Don’t click anything. When in doubt, log in directly to check your purchase history.
⚡ Solar hacker warning: Turns out smart inverters in home solar panels can be hacked. If attackers exploit hardware bugs or trick people into granting app access, they could disrupt entire power grids and trigger blackouts. The kicker? These inverters last over 15 years, so even good security now might not hold up later.
🚨 Don’t trust every AI summary in Gmail: Heads up! Scammers are getting smarter and sneakier. Some are now hiding dangerous messages in white text on a white background, like “Your password was compromised, call this number.” You won’t see it with your eyes, but Gmail’s Gemini AI does and it might include that hidden message in the email’s summary, making it sound like a real warning from Google. The takeaway? Always double-check emails yourself before clicking or calling anything. AI is helpful, but it’s not perfect and hackers know how to work around it.