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AI MAKES CYBER SCAMS HARDER (OR IMPOSSIBLE) TO DETECT – Criminals are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the credibility of their scams. It’s increasingly difficult to distinguish between what’s real and what’s fake. Here’s how to protect yourself.
WHY PASSKEYS PROVIDE BETTER SECURITY THAN PASSWORDS – Even the best passwords are no match for today’s international crime rings. Passkeys are encrypted digital keys that cannot be lost, stolen, or hacked.
STUDY CLAIMS U-HAUL USES ‘BAIT-AND-SWITCH’ ADVERTISING – An investigation by the consumer watchdog group Truth in Advertising (TINA.org) found that U-Haul uses a “deceptive bait-and-switch pricing scheme” that hides the true cost of its truck rentals by omitting mandatory fees and charges from the advertised price.
NEW FEDERAL RULE BANS HIDDEN HOTEL AND TICKET JUNK FEES – The FTC’s Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees took effect on May 12, requiring booking websites for hotels, vacation rentals, concert and sports tickets to disclose all mandatory fees in advertised prices.
Consumerpedia, Episode 89: DON’T GET BURNED BY SOLAR SCAMMERS – In this episode: The tricks door-to-door con artists use to sell high-priced solar systems, the facts about solar incentives and tax credits, plus tips on how to find a good solar contractor.
SOLAR ENERGY INSTALLATION SCAMS ON THE RISE – Scammers are going door-to-door, pitching “free” solar energy systems that are not free and can result in massive debt. In many cases, victims claim, the installation work was shoddy, at best.
Consumerpedia, Episode 86: TRAVEL TIPS: HOW TO FIND DEALS & AVOID SCAMS – Travel is always a hassle, but this year, it comes with added twists: growing economic uncertainty and concerns about being an American in a foreign country.
SUMMER TRAVEL TIPS FROM CHRISTOPHER ELLIOTT – Travel expert Christopher Elliott says this might be the year to travel domestically. With foreign travel to the U.S. down, airlines and hotels may have to lower prices.
STUDY: HALF OF AMERICANS FEEL ‘FINANCIALLY ADRIFT’ DUE TO UNCERTAIN ECONOMIC CLIMATE – A pervasive feeling of uncertainty about the economy is “significantly impacting” people’s perception of financial well-being, leaving many feeling “stuck despite their best efforts.
FEDS RESTART COLLECTION ON DEFAULTED STUDENT LOANS – After a pause of more than five years, the federal government resumes collecting on defaulted student loans. Here are the options for borrowers in default or close to it.