Ever heard of wrapping your key fob in aluminum foil? It sounds a little crazy, but it’s a smart move. Your key fob’s signal is surprisingly easy for criminals to intercept using cheap scanners sold online. Thieves can open your car without setting off any alarms. If you have a true keyless car model, they might just drive away. Wrapping your fob in foil blocks the signals.

Scammers have even more tricks for targeting car owners and car buyers. Here are the newest ones spreading like wildfire.

The clever cloned VIN scam

A Boston woman paid around $40,000 for an SUV on Facebook Marketplace. The Carfax report looked legit, and Maril Bauter received a clean title from the licensing agency. It was smooth sailing for almost three years … until the police seized her vehicle.

As it turns out, when Bauter bought the 2019 Toyota 4Runner, it was stolen. She was the victim of a VIN-cloning scam.

It all starts with a stolen car or one totaled by an insurance company. The scammer finds the same make, model and year of that car and takes its VIN. It’s as easy as snapping a picture through the windshield.

The scammer then changes the VIN plate on the stolen or totaled vehicle to match the one on the clean vehicle. Now, the scammer can create fake documents and complete the sale.

✅ If you’re in the market and buying from a private seller:

• Use a site like Carfax or AutoCheck to look for anything strange with the VIN.
• Compare the VIN on the car (located near the windshield and in the door) with the title and all the other documents the seller provides.
• Look for signs the VIN plate has been switched. Run your finger over that area.
• Consider paying a mechanic or car inspection service to look for major issues or red flags.

Bauter’s story had a happy ending: Her insurance company paid out her claim on the stolen vehicle. That said, not every victim is this lucky, so be sure to do your due diligence if you’re in the market for a new vehicle.

Not the only car scam on Marketplace

An 18-year-old was arrested in Fort Lauderdale for posting his neighbors’ cars for rent on Facebook Marketplace. The scammer collected deposits and then sent renters to the car owners’ real addresses.

• Never, ever pay ahead for a rental through a community sales platform. Really, it’s best to stick with a legitimate rental company.

Throwback attacks work, too

Old-school denial-of-service attacks on vehicles can shut down critical functions, like airbags, antilock brakes and door locks.

• Regularly changing your car’s onboard Wi‑Fi network password is a must. Turning off your car’s Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi when they’re not in use is also a good idea.
• Practice good computer and internet safety, even when connected to your car. Never open emails and messages or follow links from unknown sources.

🚨 Even your on-board diagnostics port is a security risk. I know, it never ends. Read about that here on my site.

Knowing about scams is the first step to avoid becoming a victim. Do your loved ones a favor and share this important intel using the links below.

All right, there’s no club, but there is a better option. Join over 37,000 companies that have upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle. Manage your financials, inventory, HR, e‑commerce and more, all in one spot. No more getting lost in an endless sea of spreadsheets and docs.

Whether your business does a few hundred thousand dollars a year or a few hundred million, who wouldn’t love less paperwork, more insights and higher revenues? It’s time for you to make a move.

Stop running your business on gut feelings. Let the data speak to you. Take a sec and check out what NetSuite can do for you now.

☕ Nationwide coffee recall: Over 250 types of canned coffee could contain a deadly botulinum toxin. They’re sold under various coffee roaster names, but you can spot them with a “Produced and distributed by Snapchill LLC” label below the nutritional facts. If you have any, return it to the store for a refund. Full list of affected products here. Java nice day!

A close call: An Arizona woman’s worst nightmare came true when her Tesla Model Y trapped her 20-month-old granddaughter on a hot morning. After she strapped the toddler in and shut the door, the car’s battery died. Firefighters broke the car window to get her out. Thankfully, the little one’s OK.

🤖 AI comes to Alexa Intelligence: But it’s going to cost you up to $10 a month. Amazon is updating its smart assistant with an AI-powered Remarkable Alexa. The paid version will do a few fun tricks like handling emails and ordering food from Uber Eats. When Alexa can do the laundry, I’ll be impressed.

⛔ Senior scam alert: Two Florida seniors were duped out of $400,000 in gold by a phone scam. Someone called pretending to be a government agent, warning there were illegal activities on the seniors’ Amazon accounts. The con artists said the victims could avoid jail by buying gold bars and taking them to a dropoff location. Folks, the feds will never ask for gold, crypto or secret payments.

No, getting low-cost streaming content isn’t legit: Five guys behind Jetflicks, one of the largest illegal streaming services in the U.S., got busted. They charged $9.99 a month for more content than Netflix, Hulu, Vudu and Amazon Prime Video combined. They could face years in prison for the millions they raked in from subscriptions. If you subscribed to it, you might be fined for copyright violations, too.

Underwater drone: An UUV (uncrewed underwater vehicle) called Manta Ray just underwent testing off the coast of California. Shaped just like its namesake, the massive Manta Ray can glide below the waves with almost zero wake. It can also be taken apart and reassembled in the field, Ikea-style, for easy transport. Check it out in action!

Burglars, life is short – don’t make it shorter: Keep an eye out for hidden cameras in your front yard, folks. South American gangs are placing them in bushes, disguising them in leaf-covered camouflage, to see your comings and goings. Trim your foliage and get a security system. My pick is SimpliSafe.*

🤝 I want to be your secret helper and mentor: If you have an issue, problem or question about your tech, digital life or business, I would love to help you. Ask me your questions here on my site. I read every single note.

I’m surprised so many people don’t know this: On Zoom, Google Meet and most other video-chatting platforms, you can hit the spacebar when you’re muted to talk again. You have to hold it down. You’re welcome!

👊 Look, Ma! One hand! Make your Android easier to use with one hand by enabling One-handed Mode. Open Settings, and search for One-handed Mode. Turn it on and you’re good to go.

See the forest for the trees: The free Forest app helps you stay off your phone by growing a virtual tree while you focus on your tasks (get it for iOS or on Android). If you leave the app to do something else, your tree dies. It’s a pretty cute visual reinforcement to keep you focused.

🤐 No one needs to know: Archive Amazon orders you don’t want someone else to see. On a computer, hover your cursor over Account & Lists and click Orders. Find the order you want to hide, click View order details, and tap Archive Order. Click Archive Order again to confirm.

Tighten up: Smartwatches track most accurately when the strap fits well. Swap the loose-fitting band that slips around on your arm for an adjustable model.

⚡️ Check how much you’re paying: Everywhere you turn, it’s a buck or more a month. Check your subscriptions for increases with what I use: Rocket Money.*

Amazon has a hidden overstock outlet section. Items up to 70% off? Yes, please!

• Nice power strip with four outlets, four USB ports, a 6-foot cord and a wall mount, if you’re feeling fancy, for 50% off.
• Mount your phone in the car with this holder that goes right into the air vent (just $13). Works with bigger phones or your chunky case.
• Sweet laser distance-measuring tool that’s 26% off. It works up to 328 feet!
• Set of six mini box cutters for packages and envelopes for 50% off (only $4).
• Big, bright flashlights (990,000 lumens!) with impressive battery life. A two-pack is 50% off.

The answer: A.) Reddit. Dang, that makes the self-proclaimed “front page of the internet” 19! Check out the unofficial Komando subreddit here and drop a post. Here’s a primer if you’re new to Reddit.

🙄 Reddit should rename “share” to “Spreddit,” “delete” to “Shreddit” and “karma” to “Creddit.” They still haven’t. I don’t geddit. (Yeah, I groaned, too.)

See you back here tomorrow, my friend. In case you missed my national radio show this weekend, try the free version of the podcast or go ad-free for a couple of bucks a month on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Appreciate you! I’ll be back tomorrow with the best tech newsletter in the USA. — Kim