ATMs make getting cold hard cash from your bank account a breeze. Just pop in your card, click a few buttons and the cash is in your hand. But ATMs can make mistakes. Just ask the man who discovered a glitch that allowed him to withdraw a seemingly endless amount of money. So, how did he do it?
This crime shot up 400% – watch out
To keep you and your money safe, I make it a point to always let you know about the spreading scams, from crypto catfishing to AI deepfakes. I bet you’re going to be surprised by this news: The crime that shot up 400% last year is old-school check fraud.
It’s not high-tech, but it is highly effective. In 2023, check scammers stole $26.2 billion from Americans like you and me, right out of our mailboxes.
How crooks write themselves a blank check
Scammers coordinate in private groups on Telegram, Facebook or TikTok to share tips and sell tools that make it easy for scams to spread. One of their tricks? Buying universal keys that can open any USPS drop box or snapping up books of blank checks from the Dark Web.
But plenty of crooks just swipe checks right from your mailbox. Then, they use simple household chemicals like acetone to dissolve the ink and write themselves (or their alias) some spending money.
Fraudsters deposit their haul at an ATM or right from their couch through a banking app, then they withdraw the cash in chunks so it doesn’t trigger alerts. Before you or your bank know it, they’re on their way to the casino, buying designer goods or investing in real estate — you name it.
What are banks doing about it?
Banks are cracking down on fraud with stricter deposit policies and extended hold times on deposits. So, if you’ve noticed your funds aren’t clearing as fast as they used to, it’s because banks are taking extra time to verify deposits for potential fraud.
A recent viral TikTok glitch exploited J.P. Morgan’s instant access feature for deposits from bad checks. Scammers flooded in, and many ended up being sued — proof crime doesn’t pay.
5 ways to protect yourself and your money
- Use a USPS-approved locking mailbox. This one ($99, 9% off) has an extra layer of security that keeps casual thieves from easily grabbing your mail.
- Set up notifications for suspicious activity. Check your bank account regularly for anything unusual. I have alerts set up for withdrawals over a certain dollar amount, as well as fraud alerts.
- Skip the mailbox. For recurring bills or one-time payments, apps like Zelle, Venmo or PayPal, or even ACH transfers, are secure and eliminate the risk of stolen checks. If you really need to send something sensitive, like birthday money, drop it off inside a post office instead of using an outdoor mailbox.
- Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery. This free service lets you see and track your incoming mail online, so you’ll know if something goes missing before it arrives (or doesn’t).
- Only use fraud-resistant pens. My favorite low-tech solution is to write checks with a pen specifically designed to prevent ink from being altered. This 4-pack is my go-to ($7.06, 50% off).
If any of your checks go missing or you suspect fraud, file a report immediately — not just with your bank, but also with USPS and your local police department. Be sure to ask for a case number so you can track the progress of your claim.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
4 tips to maximize browsing speed and improve performance
Nothing is more frustrating than trying to browse the internet and having to wait (and wait and wait) for pages to load. Sometimes, it’s a momentary glitch, but more often than not, a sluggish browsing experience can be attributed to something amiss behind the scenes.
He who must not be named: Random names like “Brian Hood” and “Jonathan Turley” make ChatGPT glitch out. Try it: You’ll get a message saying, “I’m unable to produce a response.” OpenAI isn’t saying anything, but the names are connected to defamation lawsuits.
$6,233
What AT&T charged a man in Texas for using 3GB of data. They chalked up his massive bill to a glitch or human error. Good reminder to always double-check your bill before autopay kicks in!
Tech fix: What to do when you can't download apps to your Android phone
Unfortunately, there are times when the apps you want to add to your Android won’t download. You may try and try but end up staring at the screen, waiting endlessly for the app to load on your device.
Complicating the issue is there are tons of reasons apps won’t download. Here are some steps to troubleshoot the problem and download apps again on your Android.
Can't access Outlook? Here's the fix until Microsoft patches it
Google’s Gmail is one of the most popular email services in the world. But the tech giant is known for tracking your every move. If you want more privacy, there are options. Tap or click here for details on a Gmail alternative focused on privacy.
🚨 Alexa wants you to vote a certain way: When asked why you should vote for Donald Trump in the upcoming U.S. presidential election, Amazon Alexa said, “I cannot provide content that promotes a specific political party or a specific candidate.” But for Kamala Harris, it returned a list of answers, including, “[S]he is a female of color with a comprehensive plan to address racial injustice and inequality throughout the country.” Amazon says it was a glitch and they’ve since fixed it. Makes you wonder where else Big Tech is spewing their employees’ opinions.
💵 Wads up? Social media is buzzing about a clever Chase bank “glitch” that gets you free money. How it works: Deposit a fake check into an ATM and withdraw cash before it bounces. Chase is onto it, and the dummies who tried it now face negative account balances in the tens of thousands.
Remember “Rickrolling”? It’s the prank when you trick someone into watching the video for Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up.” An AI CEO says his bot just did it to a customer. No kidding, the person asked for a video training session. When the AI couldn’t find one, it sent a link to the 1987 hit. Yes, they patched the glitch.
She’s 99 and ☝️: Mildred Kirchenbaum has to deal with a TSA glitch. The birth date on a plane reservation doesn’t include the century, so when Mildred enters “23,” for her birth year — 1923 — the TSA thinks she’s an unaccompanied 1-year-old. I say give this 100-year-old a free first-class seat.
SwiftTok: Here’s something you can talk to your kids about that will give you instant cred. TikTok now has custom features just for Taylor Swift fans. “Swifties” can earn rewards like a limited-edition profile frame by completing Swift-themed app challenges over several weeks. I named my Roomba “Taylor Swiffer.”
⚠️ Recall alert: Nearly 1.2 million Jeep, Ram, Chrysler and Dodge SUVs, vans and pickups have been recalled. A software glitch disables rearview cameras. The good news is there’s no dealership visit required to fix it! You’ll get an update on your car’s media screen. Full list of impacted models here.
Heads up, Verizon users: A weird glitch in Android messaging apps is causing photos to come through blurry. The issue only pops up when multiple images are sent in a single message. Sending them individually seems to bypass the problem. Why? It’s a mystery. In the meantime, make sure your apps are up to date, and hang tight for a fix.
Not so wise: Home security company Wyze dropped the ball big time. A glitch flashed 13,000 customers’ private moments to strangers. They’re blaming a “third-party caching client library” integrated into their system. Wyze says it’s tightening its security. I say you ditch them. Btw, score a discount on a SimpliSafe system with my link.
Use this tool for an easy way to record and share your screen
We’ve all come across apps and programs that allow you to record your screen or camera. They offer fancy options and features, all with a downside. With most of these tools, you must download an app or create an account to use their service.
Upgrading to Windows 11 is killing these laptops - Here's what to do
Drivers tell computer components how to function by communicating with the operating system. Updates to these files are necessary and can add new functions or compatibility.
But everything doesn’t always go according to plan, as many laptop users recently discovered. It seems many people who upgraded their operating system to Windows 11 are encountering a driver problem that eats away at the available system memory.
Can’t find the Start menu after the latest Windows update? You’re not alone
Microsoft’s Windows 11 might be the company’s latest operating system, but some users aren’t sure if it’s the greatest. Since its launch late last year, it has been plagued with flaws and vulnerabilities. Tap or click here for why your Windows 11 PC could be suffering from a nasty slowdown bug.
Here's why your Google Photos app keeps crashing
The war between iPhone and Android smartphone users will likely never see an end, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It all comes down to your preference, and there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing between a phone running on iOS or Android operating systems.