No, a real IRS agent will not call you out of the blue demanding payment or threatening you. These calls are almost always scams designed to scare people into sending money. This guide is for seniors and beginners, and most people can learn to recognize a scam call in...
If you keep getting scam calls that look “local” — the same area code as your phone number, or even your town — you’re not imagining it. Scammers do this on purpose because people are much more likely to answer a call that appears nearby. This trick is called neighbor...
If you’ve ever talked about something near your phone or Alexa and then saw an ad for it later, you’re not alone. Many people ask: “Is my phone listening to me?” or “Is Alexa always listening?” The short answer is: your devices can listen for a “wake word” (like “Hey...
Have you ever talked about something — maybe a vacation, a new appliance, or a health product — and then suddenly started seeing ads for it? It can feel unsettling. Many people immediately think, “Is my phone listening to me?” This guide explains what is really...
Have you ever wondered which apps on your phone can access your microphone? Many people worry their phone is listening to them without permission. The good news is your phone shows you exactly which apps can use your microphone — and you can turn access off in...
Many people wonder: Is Alexa always listening to me? If you have an Amazon Echo device in your home, it can feel uncomfortable knowing there is a microphone in the room. The truth is simpler than most rumors suggest. Alexa devices listen for a wake word like “Alexa,”...
