Tag Archive for FTC

Your Phone May Be Stalking You

You may have a stalker and not know it lurking on your phone, following you physically or through your data. You may have downloaded the app, or someone with access to your phone could have. They’re sold as legal ways to monitor your kids or employees, but they don’t stop abusers from tracking you on line or physically.

The FTC is cracking down on them. The first three they’ve officially banned are these: Phonesheriff, Teenshield, and Mobilespy. If you see one of these in your list of apps, delete it. Don’t depend on the icon, because someone with access to your phone could download it then just delete the icon but leave the program running in the background.

Keep a look-out, too. If you have a stalker who knows specific information about you, or you see unexplained charges on your phone bill, or even if you have trouble turning off your phone, you may be a victim. Be safe.

Are YOU Paying for Someone Else’s Vacation Accommodations?

If you rent your home, you may indirectly be doing just that.  Is your rent high and getting higher?  But you can’t move (or find a a place to live in the first place)?  It could be a result of what property owners are doing to make money through such as Airbnb.

Read about the situation at Credo’s “Stand with Sen. Warren: Investigate Airbnb-style rentals.”  If the details, with back-up documentation sources, make you feel that you or your friends or relatives are being taken advantage of, sign the petition at that site and let the FTC know your concerns.