Happy Tuesday, my flock of techies! Let’s start with some low-tech trivia you can use to stump your friends. A phillumenist is a collector of what? Is it … A.) Beer mats, B.) Matchbooks, C.) Teddy bears or D.) Coins? Think you know the answer? Find out at the end!

☎️ Today is a special day. You and me, let's talk! I’m taking calls for my show today at 12 p.m. Pacific (3 p.m. Eastern). I’d love to chat with YOU! Call me at 1‑888‑825‑5254, and we'll talk tech, your business, making money or whatever ails you! Let’s dive into today’s newsletter, in partnership with Philmore Video Voicemail. More on that below! — Kim

It happens every year. We need to file our taxes, and scammers come out to steal from us. Here’s what you need to know right now.

I find the IRS taxing

Before each filing season, the IRS releases a list of scams to watch out for. These are the biggest ones this year:

• Fake comms: The IRS will never initiate contact by email, text or social media about a bill or tax refund, and they’ll never ask you to send financial information via text or email.
• Fake charities: You donate to a charity you think is real, but your money and details go to a scammer. And your charitable tax deduction? It won’t count.
• Fake “helpers”: If a friendly stranger offers to help you set up an online account at IRS.gov or get your refund faster, they’re scamming you.
• Fake tax preparers: If a tax preparer is unwilling to sign your tax return, they’re breaking the law. Check your preparer’s credentials here.
• Fake tax advice: If someone encourages you to file false tax credits, claim false wages or otherwise lie on your return, it’s not a “smart” hack — that’s illegal. You won’t look good in jail.

Protect yourself

Get an Identity Protection PIN: An IP PIN is a six-digit number that replaces your SSN or ITIN on your tax return. Getting one is an extra step every year but so worth it — no one can file a fraudulent return on your behalf, even if they have your SSN. Victims of identity theft are automatically enrolled in this program. Everyone else can apply online.

Use Direct File if you can: Cut out the middleman and file your taxes directly with Uncle Sam. The IRS is piloting a new program in 12 states that will let you do just that if you have a simple tax return. Check here to see if you qualify.

File using vetted tax software

For Pete’s sake, please don’t Google “cheapest way to file taxes.” Use software that’s tried, tested and approved by the IRS. The top dogs are TurboTax, H&R Block and TaxAct. Get the version that suits your needs, and don’t forget about your state return!

Quick hits

If you only retain one thing from this email, let it be this quick list:

• Reminder: The IRS won’t call, text or email you to demand payment.
• Never click on a link in an email from the “IRS.”
• If you get a call from someone claiming to be the IRS, hang up and call back using the number on the official website. Here’s the number for individuals: 1‑800‑829‑1040.
• Beware of anyone (besides a registered tax preparer) who says they can save you money when dealing with the IRS.

Folks, even the most savvy can be scammed. Share this with someone who could use a reminder about these types of scammers right now. Let’s keep each other safe.

One last thing: Ever wonder why the IRS calls it a Form 1040? Because for every $50 you earn, you get $10 and they get $40.

Stuck in a jam away from home? Next time, travel prepared like a good little scout. Bring these nifty gadgets to fix:

• Hiccups, with a straw that stops them instantly (need this for the studio).
• Bad breath, with pre-pasted disposable toothbrushes.
• Glasses, with this all-in-one pocket repair kit.
• A dead phone battery, with a battery-powered charger.
• Everything else, with pocket-sized, go-anywhere duct tape. It just works. Sure wish I invented that!

👀 Car-tracking shocker: Automakers are sharing our driving habits with insurance companies. With help from data brokers (NY Times, paywall link) like LexisNexis, insurers know every move we make — speeding, hard braking, rapid acceleration, you name it. The kicker? This could spike your insurance bill. I suppose we should’ve known this was happening.

Airbnb’s losing money to hotels: We’re tired of dealing with crazy hosts and hidden cameras. Starting April 30, indoor cameras are a no-go — no matter where they're located or what reason you give. As for outdoor security cams and noise decibel monitors, you've gotta let potential renters know upfront. I’m over the Airbnb craze and would rather stay at a hotel.

👑 How come it’s OK for Kim K to edit a photo? Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, showed up in a public photo and … what a mess. Eagle-eyed folks pointed out some weirdness in the pic: Strange cuffs, misaligned zippers and twisted fingers. The photo’s metadata revealed it was saved in Photoshop twice. Kate apologized for her bad editing job.

It’s not him: The internet is filled with scammers pretending to be Elon Musk — everything from tricking a grandpa into buying $1,500 in Apple gift cards to bogus crypto investments linked to the Cybertruck event. If anyone “famous” asks you for money, crypto or gift cards online, run away.

👽 Keep your tin hat on: The Pentagon's UFO unit, AARO, says it hasn't found any evidence of alien tech in the skies, space or desert. Turns out, most unidentified flying objects folks tend to record could be our top-secret tech, not E.T. phoning home.

Up in smoke: In Oregon, a home camera caught an Elf Bar vape turning into a fireworks show right next to a baby in a high chair. Good news: The kiddo is OK. These lithium battery-powered e‑cigs are ticking time bombs if they overcharge or heat up. Check your brand, or, better yet, stop vaping. It’s not good for you.

Double-edged search: Researchers at Imperial College London found women with ovarian cancer Googled symptoms like weight loss and bladder problems a year before their diagnoses, hinting at early detection. It's a breakthrough against the "silent killer.” Remember, you know your body better than anyone. Listen to its signs and see a doc.

Yoda one for me: You’re scrolling through Facebook Marketplace and bam — you spot Michael, a software engineer putting himself out there in the quest for love. Yup, this dude is buying ads to send ladies to a Google Form loaded with his specs: “6-foot-3, major nerd, not a Joe Rogan fan.” Clever guy.

Check the DPI. That’s dots per inch, a measurement of photo resolution. Most web photos are 72 DPI because it’s faster to display. For printing, though, you want 300 DPI or higher. Anything else will look grainy.

• On Windows: Right-click on the file and select Properties. Look for Details, then Dimensions.
• On a Mac: Open your image. While in preview, select Tools and Show Inspector. Ta-da! There’s your image DPI.
• Or use this site: https://image.pi7.org/dpi-checker.

🔏 What if you want to print a webpage without the ads and photos? Paste the web address into PrintFriendly to strip out all the extras.

Direct route: Google Wallet’s latest upgrade will automatically add your boarding pass (or movie ticket) for most big companies, no manual work required. Just make sure you use the same email address when you book your tickets, and it’ll fly on through.

Find your focus: Got a bunch of windows cluttering your screen? Maximize the one you’re using and ignore the rest. On Windows, hit the Windows key + up arrow. On a Mac, just move your mouse to the top left of the window and click the green button.

🧠 Photographic memory: What was the name of that sightseeing stop? Upload your photo using the photo icon on the desktop or Google app, and Google Lens will refresh your memory. Ah, now I remember the name of that park — turns out, all I needed was focus!

How do you say “coffee” in Japanese? Translate your next conversation or coffee order using the Translate app on an iPad. Tap the Show Sidebar button > Conversation. Tap Text or use the microphone to speak the words you want to translate. Hit the play button to hear it out loud. Pro tip: Tap View and then Face to Face so each person can see the convo from their side. Kōhī, please!

😎 Natural light, camera, action: Need an updated headshot for your job search? Skip the low-lit selfie and do this: Sit somewhere with natural light and a neutral background. Make sure the flash is off. Use your camera’s Portrait mode. Smile! You look marvelous, darling!

If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video can go even further. Showcase what your business can do and add a more human touch with Video Voicemail from Philmore Productions.

Your customers can watch videos of your product or service — or just see your face — and leave you a video message of their own. Think FaceTime for business.

The setup is simple. Download the Video Voicemail app, create your profile and upload a video up to 5 minutes long. Now, callers can reach your company’s video mailbox and watch everything from a product demo to you introducing yourself. You can even call right back from the app. So easy!

Why is it called the Secret Service if everyone knows about it?

The answer: B.) Matchbooks are the object of choice for phillumenists. The others also have official names for their collectors — tegestologists collect beer mats, arctophiles collect teddy bears and numismatists collect coins. But what do you call a person who collects tech tips? A Kim‑ist! 🤓

Just a reminder to follow me on all your social media for fun and know-how. Hit these links now while you’re thinking about it: Instagram, X, YouTube, Facebook.

🦺 Tomorrow, I’m covering how you can get emergency help from your smart speakers. You def don’t want to miss that. See you right back here — same time, same place — with the best tech newsletter in the USA! Have a great day. I’m glad to be a part of yours! — Kim