Are you still investing in cryptocurrency? Listen to this one-minute podcast for a few reasons why you need to strap in your seatbelt.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Signs your new boyfriend or girlfriend is not who they say they are
Scammers are waiting around every corner, and special occasions such as Valentine’s Day, Christmas and Black Friday are usually when they kick their activities into high gear. Unfortunately, this is the perfect time of year for romance scams.
Read on to see how these scams work and what you can do about them.
Romance scams on the rise
Romance scams are increasingly popular, especially when love is in the air around Valentine’s Day. The goal is to steal your money or personal details, but it can take a while to build up to that point.
A common place to search for victims is on dating apps. The scam works by criminals showing interest in you, but after gaining your trust, they ask for money or other favors.
And it’s more common than you think. According to the FTC, nearly 70,000 people reported a romance scam last year, with over $1.3 billion in losses. That’s a staggering amount of money, which drives criminals to commit more fraud.
These scammers do a lot of research before targeting you and pay close attention to the information you share on dating sites. That’s how they know what you like and can present themselves as a perfect match.
If your profile says you’re into hiking and craft beer, they also claim to be into those things. They will even say your favorite musicians and movies are their favorites. It’s a great way to build trust by making it seem like you’re very similar.
It seems like a match made in heaven, but there is one problem: they’re never able to meet face-to-face.
“Their excuse is often baked right into their fake identity. Claiming to be on a faraway military base is the most popular excuse, but offshore oil rig worker is another common (and fake) occupation. In short, there’s no end to the lies romance scammers will tell to get your money,” the FTC explains.
Some romance scams can turn into sextortion scams quickly. That’s when someone asks to share explicit photos. If you do, they could threaten to share your pics with people on your social media contact list. The only way to stop them is to pay them off. Yikes! Tap or click here for more details on sextortion scams.
How to spot romance scammers
Don't want to use Google Pay? Samsung has its own digital wallet app
Samsung Wallet is a hybrid of two existing apps: Samsung Pay and Samsung Pass. This all-in-one app allows you to pay in multiple ways and store sensitive information. But how does it work?
If your Galaxy smartphone is compatible with Samsung Pay (Android 9 or above, not available on iOS), you can use Samsung Wallet.
Avoid these BAD money tips going viral on TikTok
It should go without saying: Never take financial advice from an app famous for surveillance and life-threatening trends. But it looks like Gen Z never got the memo. According to Barrons, more than a third of Americans in this age group prioritize TikTok financial advice over tips from a certified advisor.
This tricky scam campaign goes after those who lost money in crypto
Cryptocurrency has always been a risky investment. Even though Bitcoin skyrocketed and made some investors millionaires, it’s difficult to predict when or why the crypto market will slide. Not only that, but the FBI warns that hackers have been targeting crypto platforms. Tap or click here for our report.
5 smart ways to save and make money in 2023
Did you know your water heater uses around 20% of your home’s energy? Smart thermostats and lights are popular home additions but don’t forget smart water sensors. Tap or click here to save money with smart water management.
That's not the FBI on the phone, but here's how scammers will scare you
There are plenty of scams in the wild that you need to know about. This time of year, holiday scammers are out in full force. Tap or click here for three of the most prominent holiday scams and ways to avoid them.
Those aren’t the only devious schemes to worry about. There’s a new ruse making the rounds where thieves pretend to be calling from the FBI. The thought of getting a call from an FBI agent is frightening enough, but this one adds scare tactics to rip you off.
#1 problem with crypto
Is the cryptocurrency crash going to get even worse? Here’s why investors are scared, in 60 seconds.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Warren Buffet was right
Remember what Warren Buffet said about cryptocurrency back in 2018? Here’s why he was right, in 60 seconds.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
NFTs crashed
Did you know some people lost billions of dollars in the cryptocurrency crash? NFTs were next. Here’s the full story, in 60 seconds.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Crypto scam red flags: No, Elon Musk isn't trying to help you make money in crypto
Entrepreneur and eccentric billionaire Elon Musk is far too busy negotiating a new buyout deal with Twitter’s board to promote cryptocurrency. How do we know that? The latest video is a deepfake and is easy to spot.
Is crypto dying?
Are you heavily invested in cryptocurrency? Now’s the time to panic. Here’s why, in 60 seconds.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Cryptocurrency wallets: Hot vs. cold wallets and how they work
If you’re dipping your toe into cryptocurrency, you need a wallet. Similar to the physical wallet that holds your cash and cards, a crypto wallet holds your digital assets.
There are two main types of self-custody wallets: A hot wallet that’s web-based and connected to the internet and a cold wallet that’s a specialized piece of hardware.
Still haven't filed? Avoid these last-minute tax scams
Tax Day is less than a week away. That’s right. You have until Monday, April 18.
Did you file federal tax income for 2018? If not, you may have a refund waiting to be claimed. The deadline for that is the same as the one to file your 2021 taxes. Tap or click here for more information on claiming what could be hundreds of dollars.
Check your phone - Antivirus apps caught spreading banking malware
When it comes to smartphone apps, proceed at your own risk. When you decide to download an app, even if it’s from a trusted source, you could be exposing your data, privacy and even financial information without knowing it.
Don't click that link! New phishing emails could be very hard to spot
Many websites that provide a service or information let you sign up for their newsletter. Sent out a few times a month, it usually includes details about upcoming deals, company news or service improvements. Tap or click here for information about getting Kim’s newsletters.
Do you have unclaimed tax money sitting around? It expires soon
The deadline for filing federal tax returns for the 2021 tax year is fast approaching. You have until Monday, April 18 but that doesn’t mean you should wait until the last minute.
Cryptocurrency has created a new situation for taxpayers. If you have received, sold or exchanged any virtual currency in 2021, you must report it to the IRS or risk prosecution. Tap or click here for our detailed report on how to answer the cryptocurrency question on this year’s tax forms.
Protect your money! Fake crypto wallets spotted for iPhone and Android
Cryptocurrency is risky enough without having to worry about scams. No matter which one you choose, you will deal with volatile values. Throw in some crooks, and the risk goes up exponentially.
Social media is a goldmine for scammers to find new victims. Now, fake crypto ads are circulating on Facebook and other platforms. The ads use images of well-known industry leaders to lure people into buying crypto that doesn’t exist. Tap or click here to check out our report.
Shocker for anyone dealing in crypto
Do you invest in cryptocurrency? I hope you’re sitting down. Listen to this one-minute podcast episode for some bad news.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Don't be fooled! Criminals are using these tricks to get malware apps on your iPhone
Before some iOS apps are made available on the App Store, they often go through public beta testing. Therefore, you would need a unique app, called TestFlight, to access the early versions of an application. Tap or click here to see how Apple made it easy to report App Store scams.