“Hey, Kim, what was the name of that …” I get so many questions about our security sponsors. You need five security products. I put together a handy resource where you can find what they do, links and deals I’ve negotiated just for you.
Data brokers are cashing in, but you can stop them
Everyone wants your Social Security number. Some requests are legit, like when you’re starting a new job, applying for a loan or verifying your identity.
But countless others, from data brokers to scammers, are after your nine-digit code, too. In fact, an estimated 2,400 data brokers operate in the U.S., collecting and selling billions of personal records, often without your knowledge. Some even offer “credit header data,” which includes Social Security numbers, for as little as $5 per record.
And then there are data breaches, a hacker’s goldmine. In 2024 alone, there were 3,158 reported data breaches, exposing millions of sensitive records, many including Social Security numbers. Once stolen, your SSN ends up for sale on the Dark Web for as little as $1 to $4. Criminals then use it for identity theft, fraudulent loans, fake tax returns and even creating new identities.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was gearing up to crack down on data brokers with a new rule banning the sale of your personal data, but big business lobbying put the brakes on it. That means your most sensitive information remains up for grabs.
So, what can you do to protect yourself? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Here’s what’s happening and how to lock down your Social Security number before it’s too late.
What was supposed to happen?
Meet Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. He’s the acting CFPB director, and he hit the agency’s brakes on everything from new regulations to announcing anything publicly. Why?
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency is combining the books. This means the rule to stop data brokers from selling your info might not drop as planned on March 3 … or ever.
Why should you care?
Trusting data brokers with your info is a gamble. They don’t just sell your details to advertisers who want more info to tell you stuff. Hackers and identity thieves buy from them, too.
Even if a data broker doesn’t sell it directly to those shady folks, there’s always the possibility of a breach. Just ask the millions of Americans (that’s us!) exposed in the Gravy Analytics hack. That’s why taking control of your info is the way to go.
How to safeguard your SSN
Hacked on social media? Steps to take right now
The chances of your Instagram, X, Facebook, Amazon, Threads, Rumble, Twitch or other accounts getting taken over by spammy bots and data-stealing thieves have never been higher. So, don’t sit there all smug, thinking, “Oh, Kim, that could never happen to me!”
Safe Wi-Fi anywhere: Using public Wi-Fi is risky no matter where you go. It doesn’t make a difference if you stay at a five-star luxury hotel, have lunch at your hometown diner or you’re at the airport. The easy way to protect yourself? Turn on a VPN.
$539
Lost to the average deepfake call. Criminals use AI to impersonate Medicare workers, politicians, Amazon reps, insurance agents, you name it. When in doubt, hang up.
Do you bank on your phone
Do you bank on your phone? What about checking email and shopping? If you said “yes” to any of those, you’re a target. A keylogger captures everything you type, including your account numbers and passwords. Encrypt your keystrokes with EndpointLock. Hit this link for 10% off.
How apps you use got hijacked into selling your location
Playing Candy Crush, swiping left on a dating app and checking your Yahoo inbox shouldn’t expose your location. I say shouldn’t, but those apps and thousands more were likely hijacked by data brokers who turned your personal info into cash.
6 signs your vacation rental is a scam
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.
Wait, are public phone chargers dangerous?
Those charging kiosks in airports, hotels and malls are so tempting when you’re out and about with a dying phone. Their owners promise they’re safe. The government disagrees, and so do I. Groan, I know.
Welcome to the newest phase of juice jacking. The phenomenon has been around for more than 10 years. Hackers use public phone-charging stations to upload malware to your devices. Then, they ransom your device or steal your passwords. Super-duper.
It’s time to replace your old router
Most folks don’t know their wireless router — that handy dandy device alongside the modem that connects your devices to the internet — has a shelf life. Once it hits the three-year mark, you’re due for an upgrade.
Free VPN risk: Check this list of 9 infected apps
I’m cheap and try to save a buck wherever I can. I use all my credit card perks, always click the coupon boxes on Amazon, and, to my husband’s great annoyance, cancel streaming services the minute we stop watching them.
A New Jersey family is living a nightmare
It started back in September. Dan in Bridgewater, New Jersey, had his bank account hacked. Their first step was to withdraw money and apply for a loan. In October, he got a letter from TD Bank notifying him of an address change on his account.
Every parent should read this
This topic hits me personally, and I don’t like to discuss it at all. You never know who’s a child predator. I was molested by a trusted family friend when I was 6 years old. I told my parents, and they took immediate action — well, not the action my Dad wanted, which was to cut off the guy’s hands.
It’s not just bogus calls and emails
Imagine getting a call from what looks like your bank’s number, warning you about suspicious activity on your account. The caller knows just enough to make you trust them. It’s all a lie, and you’re screwed if you don’t realize that soon enough.
Scammers are targeting teens – Warn your Gen Zer about these tricks
I told you about the 14-year-old who committed suicide after following the advice of an AI chatbot. Another family is suing the same one — Character AI — after it told an autistic 14-year-old to kill his parents. It also exposed an 11-year-old to sexual content.
Your IP address: What it is and why you need to protect yours if you care about privacy
Using the internet is a complicated affair. It may not feel like that to you as a user. You click on your browser and get on with your day — it’s as easy as pie.
Behind the scenes, though, is a whole different story. It’s full of numbers like your Internet Protocol (IP) address, basically your digital home address. This numeric label distinguishes your phone or computer from other devices worldwide.
How to install antivirus and scan your computer
If you’re online, you’re at risk, plain and simple. There’s more out there after your info and wallet than you realize, from phishing scams to ransomware and malicious apps to malware.
That’s why it’s critical to protect your personal and business devices correctly. When it comes to your computer, tablet and phone, you need a robust security suite.
🔒 Friendly reminder: Browser extensions lose support and change developers. Take a minute to review what’s installed and ditch anything you don’t use. On Chrome, tap the three dots near your profile icon, hover over Extensions, then select Manage Extensions. On Safari, go to Preferences > Extensions.
Shopping scams are getting nastier: One victim in Maryland was tricked into paying a fake $0.99 “redelivery fee” and ended up losing $400. USPS and other shipping companies won’t add a shipping charge after the fact. These scams usually come via text, so watch out.
5 clever tricks holiday scammers use
JD in Dallas emailed me with a story. He and his wife were at the mall and stopped for a Christmas selfie. Two young men walking by offered to take the pic for them — and one kept wiping the phone’s lens inside his jacket.