Retailers are getting really creative in how they get us to fill our carts. When I say creative, I don’t necessarily mean in a good way.

An estimated 79% of us shop online at least once a month, and 91% make purchases from our smartphones. Yes, me too. But how many of those purchases were manipulated?

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Whenever something new that can help protect your security pops up, you can count on me to make sure you know about it. Good news. Amazon just got on board the passkey train. Passkeys replace your (probably not that strong) password with something no one can hack: Your fingerprint or face ID.

A weak password brings all the hackers to the yard … and your Amazon cart, so this is a welcome addition to our cybersecurity arsenal. I’m not gonna lie, there are a few steps involved to get ‘er done — but follow the guide below and you’ll be up and running in no time.

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Well, it looks like Aunt Sue bought you yet another ugly sweater for Christmas. Hey, it’s the thought that counts, right?

Some of us tuck unwanted things away in a closet, and some return them. If that’s you, check the fine print. Many retailers are doing away with free shipping on returns. I did some digging to help during this busy season.

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Ask anyone who knows me and they’ll say I’m frugal. Heck, you can call me cheap — I won’t be offended.

I’ll let you in a little secret, too. Sometimes, buying used is totally the way to go. There are some things I would only buy new, but tech isn’t one of them. There are some darn good deals out there if you’re willing to find them, from Apple, Amazon, eBay, you name it.

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Heads up, folks! YouMail just issued an important warning about a new wave of robocalls pretending to be from big names like Amazon, Apple, Visa and Chase Bank. They’re trying to freak you out about bogus purchases and get you to spill your personal info.

Here’s how it works

You get a call that sounds like it’s from Amazon. A robotic voice says, “Hello, this is an automated message from Amazon. Your card has been charged $2,253 for the purchase of an Apple MacBook Pro with Order ID312106. If you did not place this order and would like to speak to one of our representatives, please press 1 or please call back.” 

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You no longer have to wait for Black Friday or Cyber Monday to save. Yep, Amazon’s holiday deals are here now.

Plus, you don’t have to change out of your jammies. 

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If you’re like me, you scan online reviews before adding that big “something” to a shopping cart … choosing a new plumber or finding a place to get sushi — OK, you get the idea. And you probably are like me: Up to 99% of buyers look up online reviews before purchasing, well, anything.

But here’s the fly in the ratings soup: Reviews have never been less trustworthy. We’re surrounded by brigading (engineering lots of positive posts) and review bombing (engineering lots of negative posts). 

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While warranties can last a few years, recalls can occur anytime. Some defects are harmless and only affect functionality, but others can be dangerous. Tap or click here for three recalled products putting your safety at risk.

When you buy a TV, blender or smartphone on Amazon, you’ll see a message asking you to purchase an extended warranty. Sure, you can, but should you?

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Our devices are packed full of settings that keep us safe and secure. You just need to know which ones to adjust. Tap or click for Windows and Mac security settings to check now.

The same goes for the software and apps we use day in and day out. Google Chrome is safe, but you can make it even safer. Tap or click for five steps you can take.

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Dr. Cindy Smith started getting so many random packages from Amazon that they blocked her front door. We’re talking over 100 Amazon boxes filled with random stuff like 1,000 headlamps, 800 glue guns and dozens of pairs of kids’ binoculars. Everything was addressed to Lixiao Zhang.

A case of mistaken identity? Nope. A third-party seller picked a random address to send its unsold merch to instead of paying Amazon to get rid of it. Yes, the Virginia woman gets to keep all of it.

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Shopping on Amazon can be a great way to save money on otherwise expensive tech. Tap or click here for quick and easy ways to save money when filling your cart. Just avoid the most common mistakes people make when buying electronics on Amazon.

For example, you might be so wowed by a great deal that you snap it up before it sells out. Hasty buying habits can be incredibly costly in the long run, so rein in your impulses. When you’re about to buy from Amazon, read product reviews from a trusted source like Consumer Reports.

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Even if you’re not an Amazon fan, you can’t deny how easy it is to find just about anything you want. That includes, of course, gifts.

There’s also account security to consider. You should remove your Amazon public profile, for one. Tap or click for five security steps every Amazon shopper should take.

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Making money online is not just for big brands, e-commerce store owners or niche entrepreneurs. Almost anyone can become a profitable influencer with the right content and an engaged audience. 

Lately, a new player has entered the influencer arena: Amazon. Capitalizing on this modern way to sell products, Amazon has cut out the middleman and is attracting influencers from social platforms into their consumers’ shopping experience. It’s called Amazon Inspire, and it’s only been available to the public since May 2023.

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It’s no surprise anymore that social media companies like Meta gather a lot of information about you. Tap or click here for 10 Facebook privacy and security settings you need to change right now.

When you create an account with Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, you’re asked if you’d like to sync your contacts. It seems harmless, but it’s not. Here’s why you need to stop doing this.

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The CDC says millions of Americans are skipping doses, delaying refills and taking other measures to save on meds. Add that to everyone who puts off visiting the doctor when they know something is wrong because it’s too expensive.

Healthcare and insurance talk aside, it’s always the right time to find other ways to save cash. Check your phone for monthly charges you can stop now.

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As a national radio host, I’ve heard all the tech questions over the years. “Is Facebook always listening to me?” They don’t need to — since they collect so much info about you.

“How do I know if someone is snooping on my computer?” Not all snoops realize they leave tech breadcrumbs. You can outsmart them.

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I use my voice to get a lot done. Siri sets meetings for me, silences my phone and lots more. Tap or click for five simple voice commands you’ll use all the time.

An Amazon Echo can help find your phone, lock the front door and drop in to chat with loved ones. Tap or click for the things I always ask Alexa to help with.

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If the long wait times and hard-to-find numbers don’t make it clear enough, I’ll say it: Tech companies don’t want to talk to you.

Here’s a secret I bet you didn’t know. You can have Amazon call you if you have a problem with an order or anything else. Tap or click here for the secret spot on Amazon’s website.

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When shopping on Amazon, eBay and Walmart, it’s hard to distinguish between good and bad sellers. Heck, even I’ve bought junk from third-party sellers … companies that use major e-commerce platforms to sell their products.

You’d think that Amazon, eBay and Walmart would vet folks selling on their sites. Nope. That’s why a new federal requirement is going into effect.

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I thought this stat was interesting: The National Retail Federation reports for every $1 billion in sales, the average retailer incurs $165 million in merchandise returns. You know what this means: Say goodbye to free shipping and free returns when buying stuff online.

The big dog, Amazon, is starting to charge a $1 fee if you return items to a UPS store when there is a Whole Foods, Amazon Fresh or Kohl’s closer to your delivery address. Now, we’re seeing a waterfall effect across competitors.

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