Why Clark shuns safe deposit boxes, Clark reviews Spirit’s new “first class”

March 06, 2025 | Read Online

Two-way fraud is a major problem in the delivery business. Find out what’s happening later in this email.

💵 Today’s Top Stories

Why Clark Doesn’t Use Safe Deposit Boxes

If you want to keep your valuables safe, you may want to secure them in the same place Clark does – and that’s NOT in a bank safe deposit box. Read more.

Clark Howard Tries, Reviews Spirit Airlines First Class

Clark booked a recent flight from Atlanta to Los Angeles and found that a Spirit Airlines first-class ticket was exponentially cheaper than Delta and American for coach. Here’s his review. Read more.

12 Things You Never Knew You Could Get From Your Local Library

Your local library’s resources extend far beyond books. See some of the wide-ranging things you can borrow right in your community. Read more.

Is This Clark-Held Credit Card Worth the Annual Fee?

Excellent rewards for frequent travelers and a generous welcome bonus are staples of this Clark-held credit card. But is it right for you? Read more.

📣 Today’s Top News

Tracfone Deal: Get a Phone and a Year of Service for $50

💻️ Tech Tip From Kim Komando

You look fabulous, dahling: The flash on most cameras and phones makes harsh shadows. Bright idea: Diffuse the light through something like a white plastic shopping bag for a softer look. Just don’t cover the lens! Join 575K people who get tech smart with my friend Kim Komando’s free newsletter, The Current.

🛍️ Delivery Industry Contending With Two-Way Fraud

You order DoorDash for your family. A delivery driver brings you bags of food – just what everyone wanted.

You smile and wait. That’s it. Thank you, they say as they get back in their car and drive away. Before you can say “uncle,” you realize they didn’t bring the drinks.

What a bummer.

Thankfully, you can go onto the app, explain what happened, flag the drinks as “missing” from the delivery and get a refund or an in-app credit.

You’ll notice, though, that your refund request depends on the honor system. Unfortunately, not everyone is honest. Refund fraud accounted for roughly 48% of fraud on delivery apps. And retailers faced $103 billion in fraudulent returns in 2024.

Speaking of DoorDash, though, the app recently paid $16.8 million to New York couriers (as much as $14,000 per driver). It turns out DoorDash promised a guaranteed payout level regardless of customer tips – even if the tip is $0.

DoorDash drivers are supposed to keep 100% of tips. But DoorDash was simply paying the minimum it promised and pocketing any overages. DoorDash has paid $11.3 million in Illinois and $2.5 million in Washington D.C. over the same issue.

Seems like fraud is an issue with food delivery apps, potentially both directions.

📊 Stat of the Day

💳️ $523,000: The amount that thieves won in the French lottery by using a stolen credit card. The credit card’s owner offered to split the winnings with the thieves, provided they return his wallet. The thieves, apparently homeless, have vanished and have not cashed the ticket.

💰️ Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals

🎙️ Podcast

YouTube video by Clark Howard: Save More, Spend Less

Full Show: How Long $1 Million Lasts in Retirement in Each State and Clark’s Take on Tariffs

Have you ever wondered how long $1 million will last in retirement? Where you live makes a difference! Clark shares data on the most and least affordable states, including his insights on why affordability is so low or high. Also, tariffs are all over the headlines. Clark has several predictions of how tariffs will impact the economy – and most importantly, our wallets.

Watch the Full Episode

☎️ Need Money Help?

The Team Clark Consumer Action Center is a free helpline that can help you navigate your money questions. Call 636-492-5275. Visit clark.com/cac for more information.