Hey, hi, happy Sunday to you, friend! Today’s trivia is a good one to share with a friend. An ex-Microsoft exec founded all these sites but one. Is that one … A.) Zillow, B.) Expedia, C.) Glassdoor or D.) Pinterest? Answer’s at the end!

😞 Today’s top story has been on my mind after talking to a few folks going through the awful process of resolving identity theft. If it’s never happened to you, consider yourself lucky. On to the news! — Kim

What do these things have in common: A data breach, a credit card offer in the mail, a form at the doctor’s office and a Dark Web marketplace?

If you guessed anything to do with your identity, you nailed it. All are ways someone can get their hands on your Social Security number. With just a handful of digits, they can do a lot of harm.

In 2023 alone, 2.6 million people were victims of fraud, and around 1 million were targets of identity theft. All told, Americans lost $43 billion to identity fraud. The median reported loss is $500, but it’s often so much more — not only in dollars but in time and stress, too.

Here’s the scariest part

About 416,000 of those identity theft victims only found out something was wrong after they got an alert from their credit card company, tried to apply for a card or were denied a loan. By then, the damage was done.

Who’s a target? Sorry, it’s anyone. Some cybercrimes are large-scale — think ransomware targeting huge corporations — but in the wild world of fraud, everyone with a bank account, credit card or mailbox is a potential victim.

Take the massive data breach that just happened

National Public Data collects information from nonpublic sources without consent, according to a class-action lawsuit (paywall link). Hacker group USDoD allegedly broke into one of their unencrypted databases, making off with the records of a staggering 2.9 billion people.

The hackers put the entire database, which includes Social Security numbers, full names and addresses, free for the taking on the Dark Web.

Identity theft is increasing because of the sheer amount of information scammers have access to. That’s why I wanted to tell you about Incogni.

For a few bucks, anyone can buy a whole dossier of data on you — your voter records, email address, cellphone number, utility usage, purchase history, credit score, browsing habits, job history, medical info, your family members' names and contact info, where you live, and how much you paid for your house. The list goes on and on.

There’s a way to shortcut the process

I’ll tell you from firsthand experience that you can remove records of yourself online one by one, but it’s a major pain and more frustrating than you’d believe. Remember, these sites want you to get lost in the confusing steps, to just throw your hands up and say, “Whatever.” I wasted 36 hours this way.

Then I found Incogni. Think of it as your personal privacy service. They find your info on people-search and data-broker sites, and then Incogni automatically submits removal requests on your behalf.

I regularly get emails from Incogni about its progress. So far, it's removed my personal info from 257 of these creepy databases, saving me an estimated 197 hours.

Even better, they make sure my info stays off for the long haul by forcing data brokers to put my information on their suppression lists. This means they will never recollect any personal information that could be associated with me.

✅ Right now, while you’re thinking about it, give it a try. I negotiated a deal just for you: 60% off Incogni. Stop waiting and protect your identity. It’s worth too much, so do this right now.

🚴🏼 Do you ride a bike or ski? I do and wanted to pass this along: Your helmet should include a Multi-directional Impact Protection System (MIPS). MIPS helmets are a bit more expensive, but in a crash, they absorb all the shock so your brain doesn’t.

🇷🇺 Confirm before you share: Meta says the Kremlin is the No. 1 source of AI-created misinformation ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential election. The most common trick on Facebook? Imaginary “journalists” who write bogus news stories. Meta says they’re trying to stop the Russian propaganda. Oh, Crimea river!

Your kids know what Zyn is: You need to know, too. Zyn nicotine pouches are such a popular stimulant that influencers make money promoting them to young people … even though parent company Philip Morris International legally can’t pay influencers in the U.S. Talk to your kids about not getting hooked on it.

🐓 Not the nuggets! Perdue Foods recalled 167,000 pounds of frozen nuggets and chicken tenders that might contain thin strands of metal. Check your freezer for any with a best-by date of March 23, 2025. Full list of product names here.

You’re SOL … if you bought movies through Redbox. The company filed for bankruptcy, closed down the big red kiosks, and now the app is gone, too. This is your friendly reminder that when you buy digital content, you’re buying the right to watch for now.

🧑‍🍳 They knead more dough: Smart sous vide company Anova has been a fan fave for a decade — and they must be hard up for cash. Starting Aug. 21, anyone who makes a new app account will pay $2 a month (or $10 a year). If you have one, make an account while it’s still free! Links here for iPhone and Android.

Lifesaving tech: This is something. The FDA just approved a tool first responders can use to save lives. Traumagel is a syringe filled with algae- and fungi-based hemostatic gel that stops bleeding in seconds. Total game-changer for gunshot wounds.

Size matters: Jeff Bezos took a break sailing around in his $435 million yacht to show off New Glenn, one of the largest rockets ever built. At 320 feet tall, it’s bigger than the Statue of Liberty! Watch this vid at Bezos’ Blue Origin factory in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

😸 Meow you’re talking: Earn $50 and contribute to scientific research just by playing with your cat. I’m not kitten you. Researchers at the Animal Welfare Epidemiology Lab at the University of California, Davis, are looking for two-minute videos. Apply here.

🚀 Houston, pass the popcorn: NASA's free streaming app, NASA+, is awesome. Watch it for free on NASA’s website or download the app on your phone, TV or favorite streaming device. All programs are family-friendly and ad‑free.

It’s not just your phone snooping: Check your computer, too. On a Mac: Open the Apple menu and choose System Settings > Privacy & Security. On Windows: Go to Start > Settings > Privacy, and under App permissions, select an option like microphone or location.

Big deal alert! Raycon earbuds are up to 40% off right now. They’re so much more affordable than AirPods, have studio-quality sound and fit securely in every ear. Score free shipping and a 30-day happiness guarantee right now at BuyRaycon.com/kim.*

🖥️ PC slo-o-o-o-wing down? Click Start > Settings > System > Storage. You’ll see how much storage is being used. how much is still free and a breakdown of what’s taking up the space. Bet you don’t need anything under Temporary files.

Make sure you get my emails: Sometimes, spam blockers filter out safe messages you really want to see — like The Current! The good news is it takes just a minute to fix it.

⭐ Using a different provider? I’ve got your back. Check this list of other email providers here.

Plus, Dan needs to make calls overseas, Randy looks to cash in on YouTube, Anna wonders if Temu is legit, Amber tracks down old classmates, Hayden gets USPS alerts from TikTok, and many more!

Eat: Salmon cooked my favorite way — on a salt block. So dang good and easy! Oh, and it’s 29% off.

Play: “Jeopardy!” at home. Easy-peasy with this free custom game maker.

Contribute: Your own pics to Google Street View. Great way to promote a small business, just sayin’.

Hear: Your loved ones, the TV and conversations in loud places with hear.com’s breakthrough tech.*

Browse: Amazon’s bestselling books for your last summer read.

What do priests and cabbage perfumes have in common?

Lettuce spray.

The answer: D.) Pinterest. Rich Barton helped launch Expedia in 1996, Zillow in 2004 and Glassdoor in 2007. Yeah, he’s been busy.

🐬 Speaking of ZIllow, my first real estate investment involved campers and dolphins. You could say it was for all in-tents and porpoises. (Oh, come on, that was good!)

Glad you’re here. Otherwise, I’d just be writing this email for myself. While you have time this weekend, catch up on my video podcast. Hit this link to visit YouTube. Subscribe, watch a vid or two, and leave a comment to support me. Back here tomorrow with more tech smarts so you’re never left tech‑behind! — Kim