SRT.COM

Featured Articles

TUTORIAL/FAQ

TUTORIAL/FAQ

Short Tutorial/FAQ – Is It Safe to Use Mobile Payment Apps Like Venmo


Download Graphics to View
Question: Many people I know use mobile payment apps. Do I need to worry about security?

Answer: Mobile technology and peer-to-peer (P2P) payment apps like Venmo, Cash App, and Zelle make it easy to split a dinner bill with friends or send money to a family member. But being able to transfer funds quickly also comes with risks, including potentially getting scammed or having your financial information stolen. That’s why it’s important to be careful when using these or other P2P apps.

The Federal Trade Commission warns of scams where someone impersonates a customer service rep from your payment service. The scammer says there’s something wrong with your account and asks you to transfer money or give them your account information to fix the problem.

Recognizing this type of scam can help you avoid becoming a victim. In addition, take these precautions:
  • Only use these apps with friends or family you trust.
  • Set up extra security. Be sure to opt-in and enable PIN or fingerprint confirmation.
  • Make sure to get all recipient details correct. App servicers don’t issue refunds for money sent to incorrect recipients.
  • Do NOT use peer-to-peer payments for business purposes.
  • Learn the app’s customer service contact information and procedures before using the app.
  • Keep your app updated. Older versions are more susceptible to hackers.
For even more security tips, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s consumer information page.

CUSTOMER ALERT

CUSTOMER ALERT

Stay Alert – Rental Scams Can Ruin Your Party

Watch Out For Charity Scams If you need to rent party supplies such as chairs, decorations, or a bouncy house, be cautious when searching for vendors. BBB Scam Tracker continues to receive reports of party hosts being tricked by rentals that never materialize.

Here’s how the scam typically works: The “vendor” promises to reserve your rental for the date you need it — if you pay a deposit first. They may also require you to fill out a contact form with personal details. However, the party supplies don’t arrive on the specified date. The “vendor” may claim they’ve had an emergency and can’t deliver on their promise. When you ask for your money back, they’ll disappear completely and prevent you from contacting them by blocking you on social media or deleting their account.

To avoid rental scams, the BBB recommends the following:
  • Do your research before you rent. Take a good look at the rental company’s website and ensure it has accurate contact information. Then, read consumer reviews about the company on third-party websites, such as BBB.org. Also, search the business name plus the word “scam” to ensure you don’t find any reports of fraudulent business dealings.

  • Think twice when renting from listings only advertised on social media. Be suspicious if you find party rentals on social media but can’t find the company’s website or confirm their contact information anywhere else. If the rental business only contacts you and facilitates the rental transaction through social media and refuses to talk on the phone or in person, that’s another red flag.

  • Be careful with your personal details. You may need to fill out a contract with personal information, but make sure you’re dealing with a legitimate, professional company before handing over sensitive information.

  • Carefully review your contract. It’s common to have a contract in place when you order rentals from a company. Ensure that your delivery date and time are accurate, as well as the final cost and payment details. Save a copy of the contract that is signed and dated by both you and the company.

  • Consider how the company is asking you to provide payment. Oftentimes, scammers will ask you to provide payment through a digital wallet app or a wire transfer. Don’t ever hand over money or your payment information to a stranger or someone you haven’t met. If you do pay, remember that it’s much easier to dispute fraudulent charges using your credit card. If you pay with a debit card, digital wallet, or cash, you may not get your money back if you find out you were scammed.
If you spot a party rental scam, report it to BBB.org/ScamTracker to help build consumer awareness.

TUTORIAL/FAQ

TUTORIAL/FAQ

Short Tutorial/FAQ – Are More Seniors Using Tech?


Download Graphics to View Question: Is the gap closing in tech usage between young people and senior citizens?

Answer: Yes, the use of the internet and consumer tech among older Americans is rising, closing the gap between them and younger adults.

Fully 95% of adults in the U.S. reported using the internet as of last year, up from 90% in 2019, according to a study from the Pew Research Center. Internet use is unsurprisingly almost universal among younger age groups, but that’s also the case for the 50-64 age group and increasingly so for adults ages 65 and older.

Internet usage remained constant among the 50-64 bracket in 2023 relative to 2021 (96% each), though up from 88% in 2019. However, it’s the oldest age group that has made the biggest strides in internet usage: Fully 88% in the latest Pew Research Center survey said they use the internet, up markedly from 75% in 2021 and 73% in 2019.

AARP’s 2023 Tech Trends and Adults 50+ shows that over the past four years, older adults have made technology an integral part of their lives, with 78% using it frequently to connect with loved ones — 94% text, 88% email, 74% are on social media, and 67% video chat. The survey also finds 86% own a smartphone, 70% have a smart TV, 59% use a tablet, 31% have a home assistant, 28% own a wearable device, and 24% have a smart home-tech device.

CUSTOMER ALERT

CUSTOMER ALERT

Stay Alert – Beware of Online Shopping Scams
Watch Out For Online Shopping Scams
Scammers will try to trick you into buying fake or counterfeit items, or paying for items you never receive, by creating websites that look like popular online stores. They may also contact you directly through email or social media, offering great deals on popular items that are hard to find.

Here are some of the most common online shopping scams:

  • Auction Scams – You find a great deal on an auction site, but after you pay, they never send the product, or they send a fake one.

  • Counterfeit Goods Scams – You’re sent counterfeit goods instead of the real thing. Fake products may not work properly and can pose a safety hazard.

  • Fake Online Stores – These scam websites look like a legitimate online store, but they’re just trying to get your payment information. The website may disappear altogether after a short time.

  • Payment Processing Scams – You’re asked to pay by gift cards, wire transfer, or a prepaid debit card. Once you make the payment, you never receive the product or service.

  • Phishing Scams – These usually come in the form of an email that looks like it’s from a legitimate online store. The goal is to get your login credentials or credit card number.

  • Social Media Shopping Scams – Scammers will often pose as a seller on sites such as Etsy, Poshmark, or Facebook Marketplace. When you reach out to inquire about an item, they ask for too much personal and financial information.
When you shop online, watch for red flags that indicate it’s a scam. They include a website or ad that looks unprofessional, a seller asking for personal information before you make a purchase, and no contact information provided for the website or business. Be especially wary of deals involving designer items, weight loss products, and vacation packages.

If you become the victim of an online shopping scam, act right away to protect yourself and your finances. Keep all documentation related to the scam, including any emails, messages, or receipts. You may need to provide this information to law enforcement. If the scammer got your credit card number or bank account information, contact the financial institution immediately. It may be able to help you cancel the transaction or get your money back.

TUTORIAL/FAQ

TUTORIAL/FAQ

FAQ/Tutorial – What Does the New Apple Vision Pro Do?

Download Graphics to View QUESTION: I’ve heard buzz about the new Apple Vision Pro. What exactly is it and what does it do?

ANSWER: The new Apple Vision Pro is described as a spatial computing headset, which means it blends digital content with your physical space. So, for example, if you’re wearing the Apple Vision Pro headset, your FaceTime video tiles will be life-size and appear to be floating in the room, along with screens showing selected apps like Safari or Prime Video. You navigate everything simply by using your eyes, hands, and voice.

Want to feel like you’re somewhere other than your home or office? Apple Vision Pro lets you transform the space around you. Choose from a selection of landscapes including Yosemite and the Moon, or turn your living room into a personal movie theater with the Cinema Environment.

OpenAI’s CEO and co-founder Sam Altman posted on X (formerly Twitter) that he considered Apple Vision Pro to be the “second most impressive tech since the iPhone launched in 2007.” (Presumably, behind OpenAI’s own ChatGPT.) Even though most of us won’t be in the market for the $3,500 device any time soon, the technology is fascinating and something to watch in the years ahead.