Welcome aboard the Komando Tech-tastic Thursday Express! Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, worth $170 billion and change, owns 98% of the Hawaiian island of Lanai. On the island, was he upset because … A.) He couldn’t get dinner reservations, B.) Ticketed for running a stop sign or C.) Stranded because there wasn’t enough gas for his jet? The answer’s at the end!

🤬 Big Tech’s algorithms control your email; they decide what you can see. Reply to this newsletter and tell me “Hello.” That simple action tells Big Tech and your internet provider you want my emails. Crazy, I know. It makes a huge difference. Thank you for the help! All right, on to the top story that will keep you safe. — Kim

You’ve heard the stories … A CEO conned out of $233,000 when someone copied the voice of his parent company’s boss. A 75-year-old woman who nearly lost $27,500, thinking her grandson was in trouble.

With as little as $4, anyone can copy a voice with super-cheap, super-powerful AI software. I’ve got the inside scoop on tricks these scammers use.

5 popular tactics

In the age of TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, LinkedIn and YouTube, where we broadcast our lives (and voices) to the world, scammers are having a field day.

They’re extracting voice samples, feeding them into their AI machines and producing chillingly accurate voice clones. With that, the stage is set for a scam that’s as emotionally brutal as it is ingenious.

🛑 Here’s a rundown of popular scams so you can spot this crap before you get taken:

1. Kids’ summer camp upset: There’s been a gas leak and they need to evacuate immediately. The camp counselor wants you to pay for a hotel room and bus ride for your child.
2. Charity request: A voice you’ve definitely heard on TV called you, looking for cash to help disaster victims. What’s your credit card number?
3. Neighbor needs help: She’s crying that your dog was hit by a car and she took him to the vet. You’ll pay the bill now, right?
4. Auto parts emergency: Your trusty mechanic calls with bad news: Don’t drive your car, because there’s been a major recall and you need to buy the parts now!
5. Help me now: It’s someone you know and they’re in jail/selling an heirloom/diagnosed with a terminal illness. You’ll help out, won’t you?

These are just a few examples. There are thousands more where these came from.

Your plan of action

Before you consider selling the family silver or clearing your savings account, let’s talk strategy. You need to know about this now, before something scary happens, so you’re prepared.

• Check the caller ID: If the call’s coming from a number you don’t recognize or, even worse, a blocked or hidden number, that’s a big red flag. Even if it sounds like your kiddo or mom on the other end, hang up, then dial them on their cell.
• Verify with video: In high-profile cons like those involving a business, scammers have used AI video, too. But most low-budget cons won’t go that far.
• Buy time: If the voice on the other end claims they’re in a jam — say, an accident or they’ve been detained — tell them you’ll help but want to check things out first. Immediately try to reach that person through other means or contact someone who might know their whereabouts.
• Money talks: If someone’s demanding a wire transfer or bitcoin payment, your scam alert should be blaring. Authentic emergencies don’t come with specific, shady payment demands.

🎤 I promise, people fall for this stuff every day. Take care of the folks in your life by sharing this story using the links below. It could save someone’s financial future.

• Reusable “water bombs” have a light, magnetic reseal, which means endless hours of water fights without the balloon mess. An 8-pack is 25% off.
• Forget the lame inflatable tube. This pair of floating chairs is 20% off.
• It’s a drink holder, a snack holder, a rainbow and it lights up. It’s your new favorite pool accessory.
• Bring your playlist to the pool with a floating light-up speaker, a deal at 44% off.
• Don’t want your bum on the hot concrete? Use a poolside mat to cushion your tush. This one is 12% off.

America’s water systems are a cyber target: Systems in Kansas, Texas and Pennsylvania have already been hit by hackers in China, Russia and Iran. Blame outdated tech and poor cybersecurity. No joke, some water systems still use default passwords. This scares me and it’s why I keep extra water on hand.

Like the plot for 1990’s Schwarzenegger’s flick, “Total Recall”: A scientist wants to implant prisoners with memories of their crimes from the victims’ perspectives. The Cognify system uses a brain implant and VR-like device to induce emotional trauma and physical pain. Ahem, what if the prisoner is a psycho and would enjoy those memories?

Major slipup in Cleveland: A man accused of aggravated murder was accidentally released from jail due to a court typo. His case number, 685908, was mixed up with case number 685909. Now, police and U.S. marshals are scrambling to find him. Lock your doors.

📸 Sayonara, snoops: A Japanese sportswear brand just launched infrared-blocking fabric to protect athletes from creepy photographers looking to take naked pics. Clothes already block visible light, but this new material stops thermal cameras from capturing heat signatures. Neat, right?

Wait on a new iPhone or Pixel: Google announced a surprise event for Aug. 13. Rumor has it we’ll see the Pixel 9 (and Pixel Watch 3) in action. I’ll update you on all the particulars, but just know the current Pixel model will get cheaper as soon as this one is announced. The same goes for the new iPhone with iOS 18 that’s slated to drop in September.

New travel term to know: Some men are bragging about “rawdogging” flights. This means they forgo all forms of entertainment while in the air. For some, it’s a form of meditation; for others, it’s a challenge to deprive themselves of all creature comforts, including free snacks. Movies and champagne for me, please.

🎬 Media milestone: The first ad made with about 85% of OpenAI’s Sora AI model just debuted at the Cannes Film Festival. The one-minute vid shows a young Charles Lazarus dreaming up Toys R Us. You can watch it here. When you do, look at all the AI … and the jobs replaced.

Have a YouTube channel? Make yourself a backup of all your videos in one swoop. Visit takeout.google.com, then select only YouTube and YouTube Music. Follow the instructions to create an archive of your videos. Good to do if a loved one with a channel passes away, too.

A buck is a buck: If you stream music on Spotify, you’re most likely on the $11.99-a-month plan that includes 15 hours of audiobooks a month, too. Don’t use ‘em? Go into your account and downgrade to “Basic” ($10.99 per month). Hey, it all adds up!

Switch up your search: By default, there’s a search box on your iPhone home screen. You can hide it via Settings > Home Screen & App Library. FYI: Whether it’s visible or not, you can search your iPhone with a swipe down from the middle of your home screen.

You’re my fave: Get quick links to your four favorite contacts on your Android home screen. Tap and hold on a blank spot on the home screen, then pick Widgets to find the list.

A big thanks to all of you who let me know you were having trouble opening a link to my favorite ad blocker. The site is up and running, so head there now if you want to stop annoying and invasive ads for $19 a month.

In every place I’ve lived, a security system is a must. It’s super easy to configure the best system for your home in just a few clicks.

Take SimpliSafe’s helpful quiz to find out exactly what you need to protect your home. Then, you can order everything online and install it yourself — or SimpliSafe will send out a pro to do it for you if you’d rather someone else handle that part.

• Professional monitoring for under $1 a day, with the first month free.
• No contracts and no cancellation fees.
• No risk — Get a 60-day money-back guarantee with free return shipping.

You don’t need to live in fear. Take advantage of this limited-time deal.

🛑 The answer: Larry Ellison was ticketed for running a stop sign while driving his bright orange Corvette. Imagine the convo with the police officer and his buddies afterward. You know, I’ve been to Lanai several times. It’s incredibly beautiful!

🌸 While doing a crossword, a cyclops asked his wife, “How do you spell Hawaii?” She replied, “You need two i’s.” The cyclops growled, “My life is just a big joke to you, isn’t it?” (I heard you laugh!)

Share me! Hit that “Forward” button and tell one person they need tech smarts. I’ll be back tomorrow with another issue of the best tech newsletter in the USA! — Kim