Federal officials are raising red flags over TP-Link, warning their products might be linked to Chinese espionage. Plus, Redbox files for bankruptcy, Taylor Swift drops cassettes, and Apple’s next iPhone features AI.
6 signs your vacation rental is a scam
© Mark Winfrey | Dreamstime.com
It’s that time of year when so many of us are planning vacations and booking a rental. Sadly, scammers are very aware of that, and they’re always changing their tricks to fool people out of their money, rentals — or worse.
One of the most prolific thieves scammed people out of $7 million over just two years. He listed 100 properties across the U.S. and accepted 10,000 offers. His bait-and-switch schemes worked … till he got caught.
Being familiar with the red flags can save you from being a victim. And that’s why I’m here today — to give you the know-how.
1. Suspicious photos
Does the picture of that beachfront property look like it’s straight out of a pricey photoshoot? Images that are just a little too polished should raise your eyebrows. Try a reverse image search to see if a pic pops up elsewhere online. How? Open a pic, right-click on it, then choose Search Image or similar in your browser.
2. That doesn’t add up
Some hosts list a property at different price points on multiple platforms. The highest bidder wins, so your stay could get canceled if they find someone who’ll pay more. But wait — it could also be a “phantom rental.” In this scheme, crooks cook up a completely fake listing using a bogus address and photos and run away with your money.
3. Under pressure
When you’re rushed into making a decision, you’re more likely to overlook serious flaws in the listing. A legitimate host won’t rush you into sealing the deal.
4. ‘Can you send me a gift card?’
Always pay through the rental site. Secure payment methods include debit, credit and sometimes a direct bank transfer. Never pay using gift cards, a cash app, crypto or a certified check.
5. Too good to be true
Malware warning: Red flags your computer is under attack
© Thodonal | Dreamstime.com
It’s Computer Security Day, and there’s no better time to remind you malware is lurking everywhere. From phishing emails to unsuspecting ads, just one wrong click can compromise your personal info or infect your devices.
🥼 When you get a bladder infection, urine trouble: Fake AI doctors are taking over TikTok, pushing sketchy medical advice, from using lemon balm instead of Ozempic to selling health gummies through Amazon storefronts. The red flags? Decades of experience, weird mouth movements and names like the “coochie” or “booty” doctor.
Signs your spouse is cheating on you
What are the red flags? I have some digital clues of infidelity, in 60 seconds.
EV tax credits, track celebrity airplanes, $300K phone scam
Want to help fight inflation? The government says you need to spend money! Plus, one airline worker stole a bag worth $15,000. Here’s how the police found him. Speaking of airplanes, you can track politicians and celebrities with these free travel apps. You also need to watch out for this crafty scam that stole $300,000 from a couple. If you see these red flags, you’re in danger.
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Find Facebook hackers, fridge TV, make fake people
Make digital people on this free website. They look just as real as you and me. If you think that’s creepy, how about Facebook hackers? Look out for these red flags of a compromised account. I’ll also tell you how to make your smart fridge a TV and how to use an iPad as a second computer monitor.
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Naked job, Meta lawsuit, hacked phone red flags
When it comes to school shootings, everyone is talking about guns. We need to talk about social media, too. Here’s why. Also, a family sues Meta for fueling their daughter’s self-harm. In this episode, you’ll also learn about a new app that helps you track sharks — as well as six signs your phone was hacked. I’ll also tell you about a job you can do without any clothes. Even better, you’ll learn how to find low gas prices and which dangerous apps you need to remove from your phone right now.
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Jobfishing is on the rise
Looking for a job? Scammers want to trick you with fake opportunities. Listen to this one-minute episode for a few red flags to watch out for.
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What's with all the red flags on Twitter?
Have you noticed the red flag emojis popping up on social media posts? Listen now to find out what it means.
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Inside the Dark Web: Biggest scams to watch for in 2021
Beneath the internet where you spend time working, playing, streaming and browsing is the Dark Web — where you can buy everything from malware to entire dossiers of personal information for much less than you might imagine. In this podcast, Kim explores the Dark Web, the biggest scams of 2020, and scams on the horizon for 2021 with Etay Maor, Chief Security Officer at IntSights. Find out what you must do to keep your system secure and red flags to watch for.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Work from home scams & how to spot real jobs
We all know people who have fallen for a scam of one kind or another — and work from home scams are some of the most convincing, and dangerous, ones out there. In this episode, Kim brings you the shocking details of real online job scams, red flags you should look out for and success stories of people who found the real thing and made big money.
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Why online reviews have lost their value
Gone are the days of taking product reviews at face value. Companies may be working hard behind the scenes to skew what you see. Here are three red flags to look for next time you’re shopping on the web. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices