❌ ICE app blocked: Both the Apple App Store and Google Play pulled ICEBlock, the app that flagged ICE agents nearby. DOJ said it endangered officers, especially after the Dallas shooter allegedly used the app before killing a detainee and injuring two. Whatever your views, when an app puts lives at risk, including those of law enforcement and civilians, it becomes a matter of public safety, not politics.
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Every crime has a setup. In five recent cases, scammers turned online breadcrumbs into jackpots. I want you to know how to make sure you’re not their next payday.

❤️‍🩹 Your relationships

Scammers stalk grief like predators. A Pennsylvania widow was conned out of her entire life savings, over $200,000 plus her home, by a romance scammer she met on Facebook. A 63-year-old widower sold his condo and wired $80,000 to a “friend” who convinced him to invest in a sure thing.

Pro tip: Don’t list “widowed” on dating or social apps. To criminals, it’s a dollar sign.

⛱️ Your vacations

One woman proudly shared a pic of her cruise tickets on Facebook. Scammers used her booking code to hijack the account and cancel the trip to get the refund. She lost $15,000, a vacation and her family’s respect in one click. 

Pro tip: Post vacation pics after the trip. Announcing you’re away makes you a target for hackers and burglars.

🗣️ Your videos

AI deepfakes are a booming business. One TikTok user found her face and voice cloned to sell knockoff diet pills. Thieves raked in tens of thousands using her identity.

Pro tip: Set your videos to private or limit followers. The better the footage, the easier you are to clone.

🫰🏼 Your sales

In South Carolina, a man listed a limited-edition PlayStation online. When he met the “buyer,” instead of cash he got a gun in his face. The robber made off with the console plus his phone, watch and wallet for a $3,000+ haul.

Pro tip: Meet in a police station parking lot. If a buyer balks, they aren’t legit.

🚶🏼‍♀️‍➡️ Your miles

GPS walking, hiking and biking routes can be a jackpot for burglars. Secret Service agents accidentally exposed patrol patterns for the president and others on Strava. Home break-ins have been tied to thieves tracking when residents aren’t home.

Pro tip: Lock down your fitness app privacy settings. Hide the start and end points near your house.

🧈 Speaking of… The man who invented spreadable margarine got scammed out of every penny he made out of it. I can’t believe he’s not bitter. (lol)

⚠️ Crooks are cashing in on your digital trail. Keep yourself out of their true-crime story. Now use the share icons below so your family and friends know this, too!
The post Top scams spreading right now appeared first on Komando.com.

🗑️ Don’t waste money on outdated tech: Before buying a cheap phone, tablet or e-reader, check if it’s still supported. Visit endoflife.date and search the model to see if updates have ended or it’s discontinued. If it’s past its prime, that usually means no more security updates, which is a big no-no.
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💾 You’ve got no mail: Goodbye forever, dial-up. AOL finally shut down this week when traffic is up 20%. The AOL brand will live on with Italy’s Bending Spoons, who are buying it from Yahoo for $1.4B because it still pulls in ad money and subscription cash. And to honor AOL’s modem sounds, a nod to my geeky readers. Watch this video about how one guy literally daisy-chained 12 dial-up modems into a 668kbps Frankenline. Incredible.
The post You’ve got no mail appeared first on Komando.com.

Compare docs the easy way: Collabing in Google Docs can get messy fast. Skip the side-by-side chaos of spotting changes manually. Instead, go to Tools > Compare documents and select the other file. Google creates a new doc with deletions crossed out and additions highlighted. Lifesaver. 
The post Compare docs the easy way appeared first on Komando.com.

AI chat ad trap: Meta’s creepy AI chats will fuel even creepier ad targeting. Starting in December, anything you tell the chatbot, “best hikes in Sedona” or “I have IBS,” could shape your ads and feed. One billion users, one giant data grab. So yeah, maybe don’t trauma-dump to the algorithm unless you want an ad for probiotics.
The post AI chat ad trap appeared first on Komando.com.

💬 Reply from lock screen: iPhone makes it easy to fire off a text without fully unlocking. When a message pops up on your lock screen, just long-press the preview, punch in your passcode, and a mini Messages window with keyboard appears. Type, send, done. Fast replies, zero app hunting.
The post Reply from lock screen appeared first on Komando.com.

⚠️ Your identity is at risk every day. NordProtect monitors the dark web for your personal info, sends instant alerts for suspicious activity and helps you recover your identity if it’s stolen. Protect your finances, credit and peace of mind for just $5.22/month.
The post Your identity is at risk every day appeared first on Komando.com.

It’s a mail-dominated industry: Remember yelling, “Just need to drop this off!” in the post office line? USPS heard you. They’re trying to cut wait times by 40% by redesigning 2,600+ locations with techy lobbies, 24/7 lockers and kiosks. But, yes, it still smells like paper and stress in there.
The post It’s a mail-dominated industry appeared first on Komando.com.

Watch your wallet. Big wireless promises “free phones,” but it comes with an overpriced monthly plan. I chose Consumer Cellular instead and get two lines for $60/month, reliable coverage and top-rated U.S. service. Use code KIM25 at ConsumerCellular.com/KIM for $25 in savings.
The post Watch your wallet appeared first on Komando.com.