My friend text me this text she got on her phone - it is from a company called Plaid. She had no idea what it was - so I did a little research and found out that it is a service that connects your financial accounts to — and shares their information with — an app, website or service. She freaked out and said she does non of her banking on her phone what so ever and deleted. Does anyone else see other potential issues with this?

Oh I would definitely be in if this is legit. Should I found out?

It is just probably this time of year - but my hunch is that there are more data leaks of phone records that are selling like hotcakes on the black market. There are all work scams - Im sure will cost me something to engage in "employment." Each cell carrier gives tips on how to stop the spam text and calls. Who remembers the stop spam calls reporting system that would require marketers to stop using your number? But do people with criminal intent abide by theses rules?

I had a young lady call me today to ask me what to do about her elderly grandmother messaging with a younger man, who is probably scamming her. Like a love scam. The grandkids have seen text that she would do anything for this man (if not a bot) and are very alarmed. I told her that they could lock her credit with the 3 credit agencies to make it harder for this scammer to open accounts in her name. It is a tough situation as she controls all the finances in this home. Any other suggestions to curb the harm this scammer is bound to do to this family?

This one came in today. The Paypal portion approximates legitimacy, but 1) the return email address does not match the name. 2) "Call to cancel" is not how iPhone purchases work. For the practice of it, what else are you spotting?