Podcast Summary
Exploring Airbnb as a profitable side hustle: Hosting a space on Airbnb can generate income and make underutilized spaces worthwhile, but beware of potential scams.
The speaker, who is a podcast host, author, and Airbnb host, emphasizes the ease and potential profit of hosting a space on Airbnb as a side hustle. She shares her personal experience of writing in remote cabins and the concern of leaving her house empty. Airbnb allows her to monetize her existing space and make it worth more than she thought. Meanwhile, she warns about a scam email that appeared to be from Walmart, urging vigilance against potential fraud. The email looked authentic with a shipping confirmation, a photo of an expensive laptop, and a Walmart logo. However, the email was sent from a notification-only address and could not accept incoming emails, revealing it as a scam. Overall, the speaker encourages listeners to explore side hustles like Airbnb hosting for its convenience and potential income, while also staying cautious of potential scams.
Be wary of unexpected emails and charges: Always verify suspicious emails and charges from unfamiliar sources before reacting, as they could be attempts at fraud.
It's important to be cautious when receiving unexpected emails or charges, especially if they appear to be from unfamiliar sources. In the given situation, the receiver received an email about a gaming computer purchase they didn't make, and the email contained a personal Gmail address instead of a company domain. This raised a red flag, and the receiver wisely investigated further before reacting. Companies like Walmart would never send shipping confirmations from personal email addresses. The receiver's quick thinking and investigation prevented potential fraud. It's crucial to be aware of such tactics and to verify any suspicious emails or charges before taking action.
Verify identity to cancel Walmart online order: To cancel a Walmart online order, verify identity, don't share card details, log into account, and consider using AnyDesk for assistance.
To cancel an online order placed on Walmart's website, the person trying to cancel must verify their identity by providing certain information, such as their name and the last four digits of the card used for payment. However, the person attempting to cancel should not share their credit or debit card number over the phone. Instead, they should log into their Walmart account to cancel the order from their end before it gets confirmed in the next 24 hours. Additionally, to ensure security, the representative suggested downloading an application called AnyDesk for a remote session to guide the user through the process.
Companies allow personal emails for work during pandemic, but beware of scams: During the pandemic, some companies allow employees to use personal emails for work. However, be cautious as scammers can exploit this situation to send fraudulent emails with links to download spyware or steal sensitive information.
During the pandemic, some companies, including Walmart, have allowed their employees to use personal email accounts, such as Gmail, for work-related communication. However, be wary of suspicious emails, even if they appear to be from reputable sources or seem to come from company employees. In this case, a scammer used a Gmail account to send a fraudulent shipping confirmation email, which contained a link to download spyware. The scammer attempted to gain remote access to the victim's computer to steal sensitive information. Although the use of personal email accounts by employees for work purposes might be common in some organizations due to the pandemic, it's important to remember that scammers can still exploit such situations to deceive unsuspecting individuals. Always double-check the authenticity of emails, especially those that ask for personal information or contain links, and be cautious when sharing sensitive data online.
Verify caller identity, check email addresses, and avoid clicking on links: Stay safe from scams by verifying caller identity, checking email addresses carefully, and avoiding clicking on links before confirming their authenticity
Staying vigilant against scams requires being proactive and verifying the authenticity of communications from companies and individuals. Here are three key actions to help protect yourself: 1. Verify the caller's identity: If a company calls and asks for personal information, hang up and call the company back using the number on their official website. Legitimate representatives will be able to help you with your inquiry. 2. Check email addresses carefully: Be wary of emails that appear to be from companies or individuals you know, but with suspicious email addresses. Look for typos, non-company domains, or personal email servers. Delete or flag these emails as spam. 3. Avoid clicking on links: Before clicking on links, even those that seem to be from reputable sources, take an extra step to verify their authenticity. Contact the company directly to confirm any information or promotions before clicking. By following these steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to scams and protect your personal information.
