Listen up: Tell Alexa to turn the volume up or down on your Echo without tapping the buttons. Say, “Alexa, volume up” for a gradual increase or “Alexa, turn the volume to five” for precise control. Choose a number from one to 10. Warning: 10 is really, really loud.
Best way to stop spam texts for good
“Official notice from USPS. Your delivery is on hold.” I wonder why …
“Hi, how are you?” Who could this be?
“You won!” Lucky me!
These scammy texts have one goal: To get you to respond so they can trick you into giving them your money, sharing your login credentials or letting them install malware. Scammers are getting sneakier, and they’re succeeding.
Americans lost a whopping $2.7 billion to imposter scams in 2023. This includes any scam where someone pretends to be someone they’re not — a friend, a business or even a government agency. Text messages have become the go-to tool for these cons, because fewer people are answering unknown calls — but everyone reads their texts.
Don’t let yourself become a statistic. I have a list of sure spam signs to watch for and my secret weapon for stopping spam in the first place.
How to spot scam texts
Why are scam texts so common? The FTC says the average open rate for texts is an astounding 98% compared to just 20% for email. No wonder scammers love using them. Here’s how to spot them:
- Urgent language: Scam texts often use alarming or urgent language, like “Your account is suspended!” or “You must act now!” They try to create a sense of panic, hoping you’ll click a link without thinking.
- Unfamiliar senders: Scammers often use random numbers to impersonate companies or services.
- Links or attachments: If the message contains a link or attachment you weren’t expecting, don’t tap it. Scammers use these to steal your information or fool you into installing malware on your device.
- Personal information requests: Legitimate companies won’t ask for your sensitive information, like passwords, Social Security numbers or credit card details, via text.
- Too-good-to-be-true offers: Texts promising cash prizes, free gifts or rewards for little or no effort are almost always scams.
- Spoofed company names: Some scammers use company names or slight misspellings (e.g., “Amaz0n” instead of “Amazon”) to trick you into thinking the message or sender is legit.
‘We need your help to win this election!’
Political texts can be just as annoying as spam. To reduce these (and the spam), you can:
- Reply “STOP” or “UNSUBSCRIBE” if the message is from a legitimate company or political campaign. Otherwise, don’t reply. Responding confirms your number works, and you’ll receive even more spam. Btw, political campaigns are required by law to honor these opt-out requests.
- Register your number with the National Do Not Call Registry. I know, this doesn’t do much, but it only takes a sec to do it.
- Block specific numbers. Most smartphones let you block numbers that send spam. The problem? Spammers always find a new number to use, so blocking only one is a waste of time, really.
- Report unwanted texts. Forward the message to 7726 (SPAM) to report it to your carrier. Hopefully, if they get enough, they’ll take action to make it stop — no promises, though.
Unsecure page error: 5 things to try if you get this warning
There are countless threats on the internet, from scams to malware-infested websites. Then there are unsecured websites, which your browser warns you about. If you get a message that says, “Your connection is not private,” you might jolt in alarm.
The 23andMe disaster
If you sent off your DNA a few years ago, you might regret it now. I’ve got a warning you need to hear.
⚡ Don’t use this Apple charger: Belkin’s BoostCharge Pro magnetic charging power bank contains bisphenol A (BPA). The chemical used in plastics is linked to hormone disruption, fertility issues and even cancer. The warning is buried at the bottom of the fine print nobody reads — that’s why I read it for you!
Scam watch: 3 scams spreading like fire across the U.S.
Scammers are clever, but they’re not very creative. Most of their tricks are recycled versions of tricks that worked in the past. There are a few I’ve seen cropping up again because criminals know they work every time.
Elder fraud is on the rise – These are the most common scams
Here’s a stat that blows me away: One in every 10 seniors is a victim of identity theft each year. Americans over the age of 60 lost $3.4 billion in fraud schemes in 2023. That’s almost an 11% increase from the year before, and things are only getting worse.
👋 So long, farewell: Without warning, Russian cybersecurity provider Kaspersky Lab deleted its anti-malware protection from its subscribers’ computers and replaced it with something called UltraAV. This comes after the U.S. government added Kaspersky to its national security concern list because of its ties to the Kremlin. If you were using Kaspersky for antivirus protection, try my antivirus pick instead.
🚨 Major macOS warning: Apple’s latest macOS Sequoia update is breaking big-time cybersecurity tools from Microsoft, SentinelOne, CrowdStrike and others. Some people also claim Firefox stopped working for them after the upgrade. Pro tip: Wait a few weeks before installing a new OS, and always have a backup.
AI brings dead celebs back to life
Well, kinda… Hollywood is spending millions to resurrect the likeness of screen legends like Judy Garland with AI. Creepy or fine? Plus, YouTube’s new pause ads, why to skip the blue light filter, and a warning for iPad Pro owners: iOS 18 is bricking devices!
Smartphone thieves listen to steal drums: Police are warning about a rise in expensive cellphone thefts from front porches. Don’t be next: Track your package closely and request a signature upon delivery. If you’re not home, send it somewhere else, get a video doorbell, post a “You’re being recorded” sign or install a porch lockbox.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Your Windows PC has a hidden emergency restart: Use it when nothing will respond. Hold down Ctrl and click the power icon in the Start menu. You’ll get a dramatic-looking message warning you’ll lose any unsaved data. Click OK to restart immediately.
Hackers are targeting VPN wireless routers: ASUS, TP-Link, Zyxel and Ruckus have already been hit. How it works: They break in, infect your router with malware, then use it to infect others. Warning signs you’re part of a botnet: Weird PC behavior, slow speeds when your internet is working fine, and strange emails and messages you didn’t send. Keep your router updated and run antivirus software.
Ram recall: Over 1.4 million Ram 1500 pickups from 2019 and 2021 to 2024 have a bug in the antilock brake system that could lead to crashes. Major red flag: Warning lights for your ABS, ESC, adaptive cruise control and forward collision systems. Call your dealership ASAP for a software update.
You’re too close: Holding your phone too close to your face puts extra strain on your eyes. On iPhones, you can get a friendly warning. Open Settings > Screen time and toggle on Screen distance. Pro tip: If your text is too small, fix that under Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size.
🤐 Please be quiet: Amazon has banned delivery drivers from chatting too much or even singing along to music. A cab camera monitors mouth movements, and if there’s too much lip action, they get a “distracted driver” warning. Amazon says it’s for safety, but drivers aren’t thrilled. Yup, 24/7 surveillance is part of that gig.
Chinese health warning: Shein and Temu are under investigation for selling deadly products meant for babies and toddlers. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission says both retailers “raise specific concerns” about quality control. This is your warning: Do not buy any baby clothes or toys from these retailers.
His password is 1Forrest1: Tom Hanks is warning fans about online ads promoting “miracle cures and wonder drugs” using an AI-generated Tom. The vids are fakes, of course, created without his permission. This isn’t the first time scammers have stolen Tom’s voice; last October, a deepfaked Hanks was promoting a dental plan online.
Crime gets clicks: A beauty store in Concord, California, came up with a clever way to stop shoplifting: Posting videos of thieves on TikTok. They have a sign warning would-be bandits, and it’s working. Since they started posting, thefts are down, sales are up, and their TikTok account is racking up millions of views.
Online dating the safe way
You may not be looking for love online, but Tinder says about 40% of couples meet via apps. I know a couple who met on a dating app for farmers. They’re perfect for each other — they got married and have two boys and two girls under age 8 with another on the way. But for others, dating apps can be a complete nightmare.