Now, hackers and scammers could be looking for just your phone number. It’s called “port-out hijacking” or “SIM-swapping,” and it’s been a nightmare for those who’ve fallen victim to it. In one instance, someone received an email notification from their bank that a hacker was trying to transfer $20K from their credit card to an “unfamiliar Discover Bank account.” Once that was resolved, days later, another attempt to score $19K to that same account was attempted. In this lesser-known form of identity theft, the hackers take over your phone number, so even calls and text go directly to them…and not to you. In this type of hack, even two-factor authentication can be used against you. These scams are only going to increase, but you can still be proactive in protecting yourself by regularly changing passwords, signing out of apps that you’re not currently using, and being diligent about keeping your personal information off the internet. According to the FBI, complaints regarding “SIM-swapping” have increased 400% between 2018 and 2021 and have caused over $68 million in personal losses to the victims.

How Phone Number Theft Can Be Your Latest Scamming Nightmare

CBS Sacramento

Students aren't the only ones gearing up for back-to-school season. Security experts warn that criminals are also circling the date on their calendar and preying on students with a host of education-related scams.Although young people are often tech savvy, they may also let their digital guard down and are as likely to fall for certain scams as senior citizens, according to fraud detection specialists with JPMorgan Chase. The Federal Communications Commission recently issued an alert to students and parents, urging them to show caution when asked to turn over personal information. Here are some of the most common back-to-school scams to...

Criminals are targeting students with back-to-school scams

FinanceBuzz

Protect your nest egg by knowing how to spot a retirement scam. From fake gift cards to identity theft, here are 10 popular scams that target retirees.

10 Types of Money Scams (Almost) Everyone Is Falling For

Are you vulnerable to text message scams? Here are seven popular financial scam messages circulating today that you'll want to delete immediately.

These 7 Text Messages Are Almost Always Financial Scams

Social Security checks are a critical part of many US household budgets -- about 68 million people receive monthly Social Security benefits, adding up to $1.5 trillion per year. A helpful tool lets estimate how much you'll receive from Social Security when you retire, but figuring out next year's changes for current Social Security recipients is a little trickier.

Here's How Much We Expect Social Security to Go Up in 2025

With the emergence of AI and other new technologies, people have become more susceptible to scams online, especially older people. Seniors are targeted by scammers due to their little knowledge of the internet, so here are five scams that older people should look out for. If someone calls you claiming to be a government department and is asking for money, you should hang up, as that isn’t standard procedure and is likely a scam. While it may be a dream come true to receive a call telling you that you won the lottery, it is definitely a scam and you should hang up. If you receive an email that claims to be from Amazon and is asking for personal information, check the email address it comes from. Some scammers will ring you and say, “Can you hear me?” and while you may reply "yes," you should try not to, as they are recording your voice. Lastly, if you get a message from someone claiming to be a relative who is asking for money, make sure you verify the number.

5 Scams That Seniors Need To Avoid

August's Supplemental Security Income payment should have already arrived to recipients, but it won't be the only payment you'll receive this month. The payment timetable for August and September is slightly different than normal. We'll explain why. Also, if you didn't know, you might be getting a boost to the amount of money in your checks later this year.

You're Getting Two SSI Payments in August. Let Us Explain

Senior citizens are often targets for scams, and as scams are getting more sophisticated, it’s getting easier to deceive even the most tech-savvy person. Elder fraud involves a variety of scams targeting seniors, from fake prizes to pleas for help from their “grandchildren,” resulting in an annual loss of $3 billion, according to the FBI. Seniors are often targeted due to their good credit, financial security, and trusting nature. Here are the top elderly fraud scams of the year:

Top 12 elderly fraud scams of 2024

You might have heard the phrase “spoofing” in regard to email scams. Spoofing an email address means the sender is able to alter the “from” email address to make the email appear as if it has been sent by a trusted source. Phone spoofing is a similar tactic.

What is Phone Spoofing and How to Avoid This Costly Scam

All home security devices work best when they stop problems before they start. While advanced systems have many options for emergency contact and professional monitoring, in the best scenarios those aren't needed. With the right system and camera settings, important features and proper placement, you can scare away thieves or...

11 Proven Tips to Deter Burglars and Stop Break-Ins Early

August's first round of Social Security Disability Insurance checks have already gone out and payments for the next round are set to be sent next week. SSDI is paid on the same day as Social Security payments, and if you're not sure when you're supposed to get yours, we'll fill you in below. Also, if you still haven't received your July SSDI check, here's what you can do.

SSDI August 2024: When Will You Get Your Money?

If you like your coffee fast, easy and reliable, a Keurig coffee machine is a powerful appliance for your morning caffeine fix. Just pop a K-Cup pod into the machine and you've got a cup of steaming java in less than a minute. You can even use the Keurig app to brew your coffee while you hit the snooze button.

You Really Need to Clean Your Keurig. Here's How to Do It

A new scam is hitting US bank accounts by starting with an unusual target – people’s photos on social media. In a warning to consumers, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says the scam begins with unsolicited messages on social media from someone who says they like a photo you took, and are willing to pay thousands of dollars to use it in a painting.

New Bank Scam Boosts Account Balances, Tempts Targets Into Giving Their Money Away: FTC Warning

The world of foldable phones has become pretty packed in the last couple of years. Improvements to foldable screens have been a huge boost to what can be done with them, and it means that phones like the Google Pixel Fold are genuinely incredible. If you're hoping to grab yourself this excellent phone while it's on sale, then head to Best Buy and get it for just $1,249, which is a huge $550 off. That's the lowest price we've seen. But we're not sure how long this offer will last, so we suggest making your purchase sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment.

This Massive $550 Discount on the Google Pixel Fold Drops the Cost to a New Low

Samsung is known for its cutting-edge tech, innovative designs and for always having some of the coolest upgrades on the market. The latest and greatest options from the company are the Galaxy Watch 7 and Ultra, but if you don't want to spring for something so pricey, you can score a deal on a previous-gen model. Right now, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is just $99 at Walmart, down from its usual asking price of $283. That's a whopping $184 in savings on this watch.

Nab Samsung's Galaxy Watch 4 While It's Just $99 at Walmart

Apple Valley News Now

When shopping online, there’s more to consider than what to buy and how much to spend. If you plan to shop marketplaces such as Amazon, Etsy and Walmart that host third-party sellers, you’ll also want to watch out for scams.

How to Stay Safe From Third-Party Seller Scams

Identity theft is a major problem -- and it’s only gotten worse since the onset of the pandemic as criminals find new and creative ways to extract your personal information online. The good news is identity theft protection goes a long way in keeping identity thieves at bay, and you may qualify for free or low-cost coverage through your bank.

Does Your Bank Offer Identity Theft Protection? These 5 Do -- and Some Plans Are Free

Scammers are always finding new ways to steal your money and personal information. The best way to defeat scammers is to know how to identify scams and to ignore suspicious calls and emails. One common tactic scammers use is posing as federal agents or other law enforcement officials. They may...

Defending Against Scammers Who Target Social Security Benefits

Runner-up to best cordless vacuum for hardwood floors. Hardwood and vinyl flooring have become popular in the last decade or so, and they've added to the complexity of flooring types in a home. I'm in that camp: There's carpet, tile and vinyl in my house, and while I enjoy it, this leads to a new question: What's the best vacuum to tackle hardwood floors and other hard flooring types? Ultimately, the best overall vacuum for cleaning up your hardwood floors is a cordless model, the Tineco Pure One S15 Pet.

Best Vacuum for Hardwood Floors in 2024

TIME

Three agencies are working together to warn customrs about solar scams

U.S. Government Asks For Consumer Help on Solar Scams

NewsBreak

We Can’t Stop Falling for These 4 Identity Theft Scams. Here’s How to Spot Them

Identity scams are wreaking havoc on Americans’ financial lives, and the list of schemes to watch out for only seems to grow. You have to be...

We Can’t Stop Falling for These 4 Identity Theft Scams. Here’s How to Spot Them

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