🚨 Google scam spreading like fire

Happy Monday, {{first_name | friend}}. Ever wonder what outer space smells like? Hopefully not, unless “eau de rotten eggs” is your signature scent. Scientists have actually figured out which planet in our solar system carries that sulfuric stench, and let’s just say it’s not a place you’d want to bring a picnic. 

🤢 So which one of these planets is rotten egg stinky? Is it: A) Venus, B) Uranus, C) Jupiter or D) Saturn? Find the answer going pee-yew at the end!

Every click counts. When you tap the links in my newsletter, you’re basically giving your inbox a nudge to say, “Yep, I want this front and center.” And when you check out a sponsor link or two, you’re helping me pay my team along with the bills, so this newsletter stays free, fast and in your hands. Appreciate you for that! — Kim

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I was shocked by this stat the other day. The National Insurance Crime Bureau says identity theft–driven insurance fraud is projected to spike 49% by the end of 2025. 

Really, insurance fraud? 

You see, identity theft isn’t just about someone opening a store credit card or taking a car loan out in your name anymore. Criminals are using stolen info to pull off insurance fraud to quietly file bogus claims that will jack up your premiums and deny you future coverage.

These scammers are building synthetic identities. Think people made from a mix of real info (like your Social Security number) and fake details. Then they use those ghost identities to buy policies and file false claims to collect the money. Here are some examples.

If someone builds a synthetic ID with your SSN or address, insurance companies may flag you as high risk, especially if there are multiple claims tied to you. That means higher premiums, denied coverage or even getting dropped altogether.

Trying to untangle that mess? It can take months of fighting with insurers, credit bureaus and law enforcement. In the meantime, you’re stuck with the consequences. This kind of fraud is quiet, invisible and devastating if you don’t catch it early.

That’s why I use NordProtect, a sponsor of my radio show. It monitors your personal info (Social Security number, email, phone number, address, etc.) and watches for signs it’s being used to open insurance policies, take out loans or commit fraud. If something shady pops up, you’re alerted immediately.

You can save 65% right now. It’s only $5.22 a month. Yea, super affordable. In a world where criminals can build fake lives out of your data, having 24/7 identity monitoring isn’t just smart, it’s survival.

Your new car tracks how you drive and shares it with your insurer. Also: the app that helps Americans toss bad food, deepfakes get too good, and the $299 AI toilet camera. Don’t miss this one!

Listen on Komando.com →

🎧 Listen now on your favorite platform:

One vac to rule them all. Crumbs in your car? Check. Keyboard dust? Gone. And the pet hair on your couch? Like it was never there.

🧼 Toilet bowl cleaners (38% off, six-pack): Deodorizes, descales and keeps your porcelain throne worthy of royalty.

🐜 Indoor ant killer & bug spray (33% off): Creepy crawlies don’t pay rent. With this kit, you’ll send them packing.

💖 Laundry room containers (23% off): Plastic bags aren’t a vibe. Upgrade to these stylish bins for your pods, sheets and boosters.

🚮 Drawstring trash bags (17% off): Bestsellers for a reason. No rips or weird smells, just clean disposal every time. 

✅ Staples that never fail me: Click here for the things I grab again and again because they just work. Then explore the rest of my Amazon storefront.

🚨 Gmail scam spreading: Watch out for fake Gmail account recovery emails that look like the real deal. Hackers are sending alerts saying someone tried to access your account, asking you to click a link to secure it but that link takes you to a phony login page designed to steal your password. Once they’re in, they can access all your password reset emails, change your recovery info and take over your connected accounts like Amazon, Apple or your bank. To make things worse, you might also get an AI-generated phone call pretending to be from Google Support, claiming your account has been hacked and your data was stolen. Don’t fall for it. Google doesn’t call you, and you should never click on unexpected password recovery links. If you’re ever not sure, go directly to myaccount.google.com and check things yourself. Pass this on, more people need to know this is happening.

🎓 Cubanomics 101: Mark Cuban told his two college kids forget jobs at big companies, AI already covers that. Instead, small and midsize businesses need “AI natives” to actually implement tools. His second rule? Your phone is basically a library, mentor and startup incubator all in one. Translation: Forget Fortune 500, small biz wants your ChatGPT brain.

💰 A smart tip to help protect your retirement savings: With the economy so unpredictable, I don’t put all my eggs in one basket. I protect a portion of my savings with real gold and silver from Goldco. And right now, Goldco is giving up to 10% back in FREE silver when you open a qualified account.*

🔥 Click happens: Phrases like “per my last email” or “thanks in advance” make you sound like a corporate arsonist. Executive coaches say these slipups read passive-aggressive, erode trust and cost promotions. The fix? Stop.

⏱️ Pressure’s on: Apple Watches that track hypertension just got FDA approval and start rolling out today with the iOS 26 update. (More below on that.) The watch monitors your cardiovascular patterns over 30 days and alerts you if your blood pressure looks like it’s creeping too high. It’s not a replacement for a doctor or a real cuff. The feature works on Series 9, Ultra 2 and new models.

🙂 Don’t worry, be happy: Or just move to Hawaii, Maryland or Nebraska. Those are apparently the three happiest states, where the biggest stress is whether your corn’s tall enough, your crab’s spicy enough or your mai tai’s strong enough. WalletHub crunched 30 metrics (depression, income, job security) and crowned the trio champs of health, wealth and vibes.

👀 See how folks in Congress make money in the market: Robinhood’s turning into a fintech social app soon. You’ll see verified trades and follow public trades like Pelosi’s options game or Zuck’s stock moves. Until then, use the site I do to track who’s buying and selling what. PSA: I don’t pay for it, I use the free search.

“We recorded you.” That’s the line scammers use to scare millions. The truth? Listen for it in this short podcast.

Listen on Komando.com →

🎧 Listen now on your favorite platform:

⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Get into the habit of locking your computer every time you get up. On Windows, press the Windows key + L. On Mac, hit Ctrl + Cmd + Q. Easy peasy!

🤩 Apple iOS 26 drops today: I’m talking a new iOS for your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Watch, Apple TV and Vision Pro. Be sure update your device for tons of great new features like call screening, liquid glass interface, slicker Messages and Phone apps, AI tools, tighter privacy controls and better battery features. Here’s a link all about it on Apple to check compatibility. I’ll be breaking down the best stuff this week. PSA: Now, this iOS should have been called 18 but Apple decided to call it 26.

📄 Type faster in Google Docs: Instead of retyping long phrases, create shortcuts that expand into full text. Go to Tools > Preferences > Substitutions and tick Automatic substitution. To add your own, type “YTV” under Replace and “YouTube video” under With, then hit OK. Next time you type YTV, it auto-changes to YouTube video. Nice. 

👨🏻‍💼 Stop LinkedIn spam: If you’re flooded with unwanted message requests, lock down your profile. Go to Settings & Privacy > Data privacy > Who can reach you > Messages and toggle off Message requests. Don’t want random invites either? Go back to Who can reach you > Invitations to connect and toggle Only people in your Imported Contacts.

❌ Delete bloatware on Windows 11: Your PC comes preloaded with apps you’ll never use. They waste space and can slow performance by running in the background. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Scroll the list, click the three-dot menu on an app (like Xbox Live) and hit Uninstall. Just be careful not to touch system apps.

💸 Save big money on gadgets: Amazon Renewed sells open-box, pre-owned and refurbished tech from big brands. You can find deals on iPhones, MacBooks, headphones, gaming consoles and more. Best part? Everything’s tested and inspected, so it looks almost new. Comes with a 90-day guarantee to fall back on.

One in five
The number of Americans who admit they’ve followed AI medical advice that was proven wrong. Batting .800 is great in baseball, but when it’s your health on the line, that’s less “MVP season” and more “urgent care speedrun.” AI can be a starting point, just make sure you follow it up with a real doctor before you roll the dice.

$725 million
That’s the total Facebook is shelling out for its privacy sins. Payouts depend on how long you were active between 2007 to 2022, so your hardcore FarmVille grinding may finally pay off. Don’t expect much. Oversharing buys you lunch, not a vacation.

$20,000
That’s what a contractor in Maine had to pony up for violating a lakeshore ordinance. He says he checked with the town first, but they fined him anyway. His revenge? Paying the entire thing in coins, 12,000 pounds worth. Now the town’s thinking of charging him a handling fee to count it. Magnificent.

First came K-pop. Then K-beauty. Now? K-bots. 

According to The Korea Herald, South Korea’s hottest app isn’t TikTok or YouTube, it’s Zeta. This anime-style roleplay chatbot draws nearly a million users, mostly teens, who spend an average of two hours and 46 minutes a day flirting with AI bullies and brooding gang bosses. Wow.

🇰🇷 Brace yourself. If history’s any guide, it’s only a matter of time before America imports it.

💩 The answer: B) Uranus. Yeah, our seventh planet is rocking an atmospheric blend of hydrogen sulfide. That’s the same compound responsible for that unmistakable rotten egg scent. Turns out, middle schoolers are right. Uranus really does stink. 

Speaking of… Why is your nose in the middle of your face? It’s the scenter. 😂 (Tell that one to the kids for a huge groan!)

Well, thanks for being here with me and the #1 free tech newsletter in the United States. Tomorrow, I’m going to tell you how to use AI to make sure your 401K and stock portfolio is giving you the highest returns. You need to know this.

✌️ Until then, remember your edge isn’t luck. It’s what you choose to learn every day. — Kim

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Photo credit(s): Midjourney, Monozel, Zeta

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This newsletter and its content are intended for informational purposes only. They are provided without warranty of any kind. You shouldn’t construe anything provided here as legal, health, medical, technical, tax, investment, financial or any other kind of advice.

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