Recent Comments
Comment by Cindy on The Top Twenty (September 16, 2025 07:58 AM)
So if I'm supposed to be posting my comments, questions or suggestions for your article "The Top Twenty" which came in my email on 9/15/2025 why in th...
Comment by Wild Bill 99 on Smishing ALERT: What you need to know and do (September 16, 2025 03:48 AM)
Glad the scammers are moving to txt. I don't use txt and maybe I will get my land line back. Seriously, the only real defense is observational integ...
Comment by Charley on Smishing ALERT: What you need to know and do (September 15, 2025 11:05 PM)
I have used YouMail on my phone for years. It was (and still is) a better voicemail service than the carriers provide. And they also do a pretty good ...
Comment by Jonathan on A Second Line for Your Smartphone (September 15, 2025 10:36 PM)
Great info, as usual. Thanks Bob. Just checked out Magic Jack, and the following restriction makes it a no go for us, and may do so for others also. ...
Comment by Steve on Smishing ALERT: What you need to know and do (September 15, 2025 08:35 PM)
Like many others I have received unwanted texts to "Dad" from "my child" who has of course lost his phone & wants me to use his "new" phone number. I ...
Comment by Fred on Smishing ALERT: What you need to know and do (September 15, 2025 07:33 PM)
Making this even worse is Microsoft's phone link. So these messages pop up on your pc as well....
Comment by Gary Blackwell on A Second Line for Your Smartphone (September 13, 2025 09:08 PM)
You can also use *72 plus the number you are forwarding it to feature to forward calls to your phone...
Comment by bb on 17 Signs Your PC May Be Obsolete (September 13, 2025 06:28 PM)
Simple answer: if your computer is not doing what you want it to do within a reasonable time, then consider upgrading or replacing it. The same thing...
Comment by howard on A Second Line for Your Smartphone (September 12, 2025 09:43 PM)
I a note 9 ultra and now a note 20 ultra both have room for 1 sim plus another place to add memory or a 2nd sim, and just switch between sims, each wi...
Comment by Laurie on A Second Line for Your Smartphone (September 12, 2025 09:24 PM)
I have a Google voice phone number and also a Pinger phone number. Pinger offers both free and paid options. I use the free option and it’s great ...
Shopping Articles
Gripe Sites: Monetizing Your Pain?
When consumers have a complaint about a company, they often resort to the power of public opinion for support. But the Internet makes it possible to do much more than simply tell all your friends about a ripoff or poor customer service you've experienced. Online 'gripe sites' and complaint forums abound, but some may do as much harm as good. They may even be designed to malign. Here's my analysis and advice...
...Craigslist, Scammers and Schmeckpepers
Craigslist is a free online classified ads site that's been around almost 30 years. It's a popular way to buy, sell, and trade goods or services locally. It's also used as a dating service, a job-hunting and recruiting tool, and much more. Lots of people use it every day for legitimate transactions, but if you're not careful, you could end up getting scammed by a Schmeckpeper. What's a Schmeckpeper? Read on for the answer, and learn about some Craigslist traps to avoid...scam, bogus money order, Western Union scam, overpayment scam
...[SELL IT] Tips for Ebay Seller Success
Have you tried to sell some unwanted items to make a little extra money, but your attempts to sell on eBay have not worked out very well? Check out my power tips for eBay sellers to help you succeed. Read on...
...NINE Tips For Online Holiday Shoppers
In last year's holiday shopping season, spending totaled $887 billion, up over 14 percent from the previous year. Post-pandemic shoppers are back in stores, but ecommerce sales are expected to rise again. Fortunately, some tools have emerged to help consumers find the best deals. Check out these clever tips to help you save money when you shop online for the holidays...
...Should You Post on a Gripe Site?
When consumers have a complaint about a company, they often resort to the power of public opinion for support. But the Internet makes it possible to do much more than simply tell all your friends about a ripoff or poor customer service you've experienced. Online 'gripe sites' and complaint forums abound, but some may do as much harm as good. They may even be designed to malign. Here's my analysis and advice...
...Don't Get Scammed on Craigslist (watch out for Schmeckpepers)
Craigslist is a free online classified ads service that's been around since 1995. It's a popular way to buy, sell, and trade goods or services locally. It's also used as a dating service, a job-hunting and recruiting tool, and much more. Lots of people use it every day for legitimate transactions, but if you're not careful, you could end up getting scammed by a Schmeckpeper. What's a Schmeckpeper? Read on for the answer, and learn about some Craigslist traps to avoid...
...Avoid These ISP Money Grabs
The U.S. broadband market is dominated by just a handful of companies that provide high-speed Internet, TV and phone service. And most of their customers pay far more than they should for those services. Here’s why, and how to avoid money grabs from your phone company or cable operator...
...[ALERT] Watch Out For Gray Market Goods
Do you know the difference between the black market and the gray market? Somewhere between Walmart’s everyday low prices and that sketchy guy in Walmart’s parking lot who’s selling brand-new Nikon cameras for $150, lies a vast gray area appropriately called the “gray market.” Here you’ll find prices lower than those of any mainstream merchant but not quite low enough to scream “stolen” or “counterfeit.” How do gray markets work, and are they legal?
...Here's How to Spot A Fake Product Review
Amazon has launched an offensive this year against sellers on their platform that post or solicit false, misleading, or inauthentic reviews. Dozens of vendors, including a few high-profile ones, have been banned. Read on for some tips on spotting fake reviews at online shopping sites...
...SEVEN Tips and Tools For Online Shoppers
In last year's holiday shopping season, spending totaled $789 billion, up over 8 percent from the previous year. Not surprisingly, the pandemic drove shoppers online, and ecommerce sales are expected to rise again. Fortunately, some tools have emerged to help consumers find the best deals. Check out these clever tips to help you save money when you shop online...
...[SELL IT] Power Tips for Ebay Success
Are you trying to sell some unwanted items to make a little extra money, but your attempts to sell on eBay have not worked out very well? Check out my power tips for eBay sellers to help you succeed. Read on…
...Here’s How Creepy Marketers Get Your Email Address
Have you ever visited a website, and later got an email from that site, even though you never provided your email address? I find this disturbing, and you probably will too, when you learn how and why this is happening. Read on to learn the source of mystery marketing messages…
...[OUTBID?] Here's How to Win on eBay!
If you’ve ever participated in an eBay auction, you’ve probably suffered the agony of seeing defeat snatched from the jaws of victory. Do you want to find out how they keep outbidding you at the last second, every time? Would you like to start WINNING some eBay auctions? Read on to learn the secret to success with eBay auctions...
...[ALERT] Are You Buying Gray Market Goods?
Somewhere between Walmart’s everyday low prices and that sketchy guy in Walmart’s parking lot who’s selling brand-new Nikon cameras for $150, lies a vast gray area appropriately called the “gray market.” Here you’ll find prices lower than those of any mainstream merchant but not quite low enough to scream “stolen” or “counterfeit.” How do gray markets work, and are they legal?
...[SELL IT] Power Tips for Ebay Sellers
A reader asks: 'I am trying to sell some of my unwanted items on eBay to make a little extra money, but my previous attempts to sell on eBay have not worked out very well. Can you give me some power tips for eBay sellers to help me succeed?' Well, yes! Read on...
...The Dark Side of Amazon Returns
Easy, no-hassle returns of online purchases have been critical to Amazon’s success. The e-commerce giant does not publish returns figures, but analysts estimate the MSRP value of returns runs into billions of dollars annually. So what happens to all that returned merchandise? The answers may surprise you... read on!
...Money Saving Tips For Online Shoppers
Last year, an estimated 2 billion people purchased something online, and ecommerce sales totaled $3.5 trillion dollars. In the 2020 holiday shopping season, those numbers will skyrocket. As online sales have soared, a number of tools have emerged to help consumers find the best deals. Check out these clever tools to help you save money when you shop online...
...How NOT to Get Scammed on Craigslist
Craigslist, the free online classified ads service, is a popular way to buy, sell, and trade goods or services locally. It's also used as a dating service, a job-hunting and recruiting tool, and much more. Lots of people use it every day for legitimate transactions, but if you're not careful, you could end up scammed by someone you meet through one of these online marketplaces. Here are some traps to avoid...
...Here's How to Sell Handmade Goods
Handmade one-of-a-kind goods are all the rage these days. If you make anything all by yourself, whether it’s jewelry, baby clothes, or a custom wood carving, someone out there wants to buy it. But finding that buyer can be difficult, and closing a deal successfully is hard work. Read on to learn about the best places to sell your hand-crafted items...
...Penny Auctions: Legit or Scam?
You've probably seen those ads, offering popular electronic gadgets for insanely low prices. You know, the lady who brags about getting a 60-inch HDTV for thirty bucks? These so-called 'penny auction' websites offer products for pennies on the dollar. Are they a big scam, or a legitimate way to save money? Let's take a look at how penny auctions work...
...Here's How to Win on eBay
If you buy stuff on eBay, you have probably suffered the agony of seeing defeat snatched from the jaws of victory. Do you want to find out how they keep outbidding you at the last second, every time? Want to start winning some eBay auctions? Read on to learn all about eBay sniping...
...See My Tips For Online Shopping
Every online shopper loves a bargain, but how can you tell when you really have one? The games that sellers play with prices are as old as commerce itself. Bargain-hunting is particularly confusing online, where prices from all over the world are available. And do you know how to spot a fake review? Here are some tips for sorting bogus bargains from trustworthy transactions, and some tools to help you find the best prices online...
...Jet and Other Alternatives to Amazon Shopping
It’s obvious that Amazon is the 800-pound gorilla of e-commerce. Recent ecommerce stats show that Amazon captures about HALF of all online sales. But it’s not the only digital department store. Let’s look at some of the others to see how they compare to Amazon...
...[CYBER MONDAY] Geekly Holiday Gifts
Cyber Monday is here, and the holiday gift giving season is in full swing. Whether you are a geek who’s looking for some hints to drop, or you know a geek who you’d like to delight, here are some of the best gifts for tech fans. Read on for the deals…
...[ALERT] Beware The Recurring Charge Scam
A college freshman bought some lingerie on an ecommerce site called “Adore Me.” Several months later, her debit card was declined at a brick-and-mortar store; she was overdrawn. When she reviewed her bank’s records, she discovered monthly charges of $39.95 from “Adore Me” which she did not recall authorizing. That was just the beginning of this outrageous scam. Here's what holiday shoppers need to know about this and other recurring credit card charge scams...
...Money Savers For Online Shoppers
In 2017, an estimated 1.6 billion people purchased something online. Online sales totaled $2.3 trillion dollars worldwide, up more than 16% from the previous year. As online sales have soared, a number of tools have emerged to help consumers find the best deals. Check out these clever tools to help you save money when you shop online...
...Cash In On Unwanted Gift Cards
Remember that gift card you got from Aunt Tilly for your birthday last year? The one for that steakhouse that's 2 hours away? You know you'll never use it. But rather than throw it away, here’s how to convert it and other unwanted gift cards to cash. Read on for details, and some bonus tips on how to buy gift cards at a discount!
...Price Busters For Online Shoppers
Shopping online is a two-step process; first, find the product you want, and then find the best price for it. A lot of factors may come into play, including sales tax, shipping fees, and the availability of discount coupon codes. Read on to learn about three nifty tools that will help you get the lowest price when shopping online...
...Alternatives to Amazon Shopping
It’s obvious that Amazon is the 800-pound gorilla of e-commerce. Amazon captured 37% of online holiday season sales in 2016, and 53% of all growth in online sales for the full year. But it’s not the only digital department store. Let’s look at some of the others to see how they compare to Amazon...
...[MONEY] Tips for Online Bargain Hunters
Every shopper loves a bargain, but how can you tell when you really have one? The games that sellers play with prices are as old as commerce itself. Bargain-hunting is particularly confusing online, where prices from all over the world are available. Here are some tips for sorting bogus bargains from real deals...
...How Secure Are Shopping Apps?
Retailers are encouraging shoppers to download their smartphone apps with the promise of extra savings, convenience and other benefits. But do those benefits outweigh the potential privacy and security hazards? Let's take a look…
...12 Things Not To Buy In 2016
This time of the year is a good time to set goals for next year. A perennial favorite is, “I will not buy everything I want.” But even better might be “I will not want everything I see.” Some highly-touted products are outright scams, while others have alternatives that are much less expensive. Some are available for free! Read on to see my list of things NOT to buy in 2016...
...10 Tips for SAFE Holiday Shopping
With less than three weeks left until Christmas, it’s time to kick your online shopping into high gear. But think about shopping safely, not just early. Along with the e-commerce boom has come an explosion of related scams, frauds, and outright thefts of goods, identity and financial data. Before you go shopping online for deals, take these steps to protect yourself...
...10 Tips for Online Holiday Shoppers
Shopping online for Christmas, Hanukkah (or any time of year) is easy and convenient, but when you use the right tools, you can also save a lot of cash. Here are some money-saving tips for the smart online shopper...
...The Best Black Friday Deals
Thanksgiving Day is just around the corner (November 26), and for most U.S. residents that means a day of rest and gratitude with family, turkey, and football - followed by Black Friday, the greatest consumer feeding frenzy of the year. Every store, online or at the mall, will be offering deals galore. Here's my guide to finding the best Black Friday deals…
...The Drones are Coming!
Are you ready for aerial drones to replace the UPS truck and the friendly Fedex guy? Walmart petitioned the FAA on October 27 for permission test drones outdoors, in residential neighborhoods, to deliver packages to customers. But they're not the only ones with delivery-by-drone plans. Read on to learn how soon the drones will be arriving in your neighborhood...
...Can You Spot A Fake Product Review?
Amazon has launched a lawsuit against 1,114 “John Doe” defendants, charging they damaged the company’s reputation by posting “false, misleading, and inauthentic” reviews. Read on for some tips on spotting fake reviews at online shopping sites…
...Buying Prescription Eyeglasses Online
Online optometrists claim they can save you “up to 70%” on prescription eyeglasses. Some even advertise free lenses. The savings sound tempting, but is it wise to buy online something that is so complex, subjective, and critical as eyeglasses? Read on...
...Online Grocery Delivery Services
Everybody knows that Google delivers search results to your computer screen. Now Google is experimenting with the concept of delivering groceries to your front porch. But they're just one of many online grocery delivery services. Read on to learn how to get your bananas and frozen pizza delivered with just a few clicks…
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