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A computerized system that calls balls and strikes is being tested during Major League Baseball spring training exhibition games starting Thursday after four years of experiments in the minor leagues. Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred is an advocate of the Automated Ball-Strike System, which potentially as early as 2026 could be used to aid MLB home plate umpires, but not replace them. Starting in 2024, MLB focused testing on a challenge system in which the human umpire makes each original call. Data from the spring training test could cause MLB to make alterations to the system for Triple-A games this season. How does the Automated Ball-Strike System work? Stadiums are outfitted with cameras that track each pitch and judge whether it crossed home plate within the strike zone. In early testing, umpires wore ear buds and would hear “ball” or “strike,” then relay that to players and fans with traditional hand signals. The challenge system adds a wrinkle. During spring training, human umps will call every pitch, but each team will have the ability to challenge two calls per game, with no additions for extra innings. A team retains its challenge if successful, similar to the regulations for big league teams with video reviews, which were first used for home run calls in August 2008 and widely expanded to many calls for the 2014 season. Only a batter, pitcher or catcher may challenge a call, signaling with the tap of a helmet or cap; and assistance from the dugout is not allowed. A challenge must be made within 2 seconds, and the graphic of the pitch and strike zone will be shown on the scoreboard and broadcast feed. The umpire then announces the updated count. MLB estimates the process averages 17 seconds. Where will ABS be tested? MLB has installed the system in 13 spring training ballparks that are home to 19 teams. The Florida stadiums, all in the Florida State League, are the stadiums of Detroit, Minnesota, the New York Mets, New York Yankees, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Toronto, plus the ballpark shared by Miami and St. Louis. Five test sites in Arizona all are shared: the Diamondbacks/Colorado, Chicago White Sox/Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland/Cincinnati, Kansas City/Texas and Seattle/San Diego. About 60% of spring training games are slated for trial, although teams could play vastly different numbers of games with ABS testing. The Diamondbacks are slated for 29 ABS games, while the Cubs have just seven. What is the technology? A Hawk-Eye pose-tracking system of cameras was installed and used to track pitches and whether they are within a strike zone based on the height of each batter, who is measured without shoes before a team’s first test game. MLB estimated the calibration process at less than one minute for each player. There are eight cameras at most of the spring training ballparks in the test and 12 at the Diamondbacks/Rockies stadium. While the strike zone actually called by big league umpires tends to be oval in shape, the ABS strike zone is a rectangle, as in the rule book. Developing a consensus on what a computer strike zone should be has been an issue. When did MLB first start using ABS? MLB started experimenting with ball/strike technology at the independent Atlantic League in 2019. A challenge system was tried in 2021 at eight of nine ballparks that make up the Florida State League. ABS was promoted to five Triple-A parks in 2022 and expanded to all Triple-A stadiums in 2023, the robot alone for the first three games of each series and a human with a challenge system in the final three. That system was in place at the start of 2024, but MLB switched to an all-challenge system last June 25. How successful were teams with challenges last year? Overall return rate over the full Triple-A season was 51%, with challenges by the defense winning 54% and by the offense winning 48%. Challenges with the two-challenge limit in place averaged 3.9 per game, including 2.2 by the offense. The success percentage has been slightly better for video reviews in the major leagues. Teams increased their success rate on video reviews to 53.7% last season, led by the Boston Red Sox at 67.9%. Just 1.6% of first pitches were challenges, but the figure increased to 3.9% for two-strike pitches, 5.2% for three-ball pitches and 8.2% for full counts. Challenge percentages were more likely later in the game. While 1.9% of pitches were challenged in the first three innings, 2.5% were challenged from the fourth through the sixth, 2.8% in the seventh and eighth and 3.6% in the ninth. How has the computer strike zone changed over time? MLB has changed the shape of the ABS strike zone several times. It started with a 19-inch width in 2022, then dropped it to 17 inches — matching the width of home plate. Narrowing the strike zone led to an increase in walks and only small changes in strikeout rates. The top of the striker zone was 51% of a batter’s height in 2022 and 2023, then raised to 53.5% in 2024 after pitchers’ complaints the top had been too low. The bottom of the strike zone has been 27% since 2022 after initially being set at 28%. A batter’s stance is not taken into account. ABS makes the ball/strike decision at the midpoint of the plate, 8 1/2 inches from the front and 8 1/2 inches from the back. The contrasts with the rule book zone called by umpires, which says the zone is a cube, and a strike is a pitch that crosses any part. Strikeout rates increased 0.5% and walk rates rose 1% in full ABS games and 0.8% in challenge games. How will ABS impact broadcasts? Concerned the strike zone box on broadcasts could tip whether to challenge and cause fans to yell at players to challenge, MLB plans to experiment with several broadcast alternatives, among them: show the box but not the ball; show the ball but not the box; and to show only corners of the box. How can players give feedback? Dugout iPads available to all teams will have an application called ProTABS that allows players to check pitches against their individual strike zone. Information will update after every plate appearance and players can give MLB comment on single pitches and the overall system. —Ronald Blum, AP baseball writer View the full article

Most employees will receive about 10% less equity this yearView the full article

After watching videos of a Delta Air Lines jet catch fire upon landing and flip over on a Toronto runway, it’s fair to wonder how anyone could have survived. But aviation experts said it was not surprising that all 76 passengers and four crew walked away from Monday’s disaster, with 21 people suffering minor injuries and only one still hospitalized on Wednesday. It’s a credit, they said, to advances in plane design as well as a crew that flawlessly executed an evacuation plan. “When I first saw (footage of) that aircraft upside down at the airport, I was like: ‘How can that happen? And how can anybody survive that?’” Michael McCormick, an assistant professor and program coordinator for air traffic management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, said. “It was absolutely astounding to watch the people actually climbing out.” Passenger jet design a factor McCormick and others said the fact that there were only minor injuries shows that passenger jet design and engineering have greatly improved over time. Fuel tanks are stored in the wings, so the wings are designed to break off in a crash to remove a seriously explosive hazard, he said. The tail-like fin of a plane known as a vertical stabilizer is frangible — or easily broken — meaning an aircraft that has flipped over can stay flat on the ground and passengers and crew are able to evacuate, he said. “Aviation is and remains the safest form of transportation,” McCormick said, adding that it was no fluke 80 people were able to walk away from the Toronto crash. “That is because the safety of aviation is constantly improving.” Jeff Guzzetti, an airline safety consultant and a former investigator for the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board, said the seats and seat belts also helped to prevent fatalities. He noted that passenger jet seats are designed to withstand impacts of up to 16 times the force of gravity and that the seat belts restrained the passengers who were suspended upside down as the plane slid to a halt on the runway at Toronto Pearson International Airport. “The odds of getting injured or killed in an commercial airline accident is far less than driving in your car,” Guzzetti said. Crew executed the evacuation plan Experts also credited the crew, who calmly and quickly shepherded many of the passengers off the plane before emergency crews even arrived on the scene. Deborah Flint, CEO of Greater Toronto Airports Authority, called the flight crew “heroes,” while their boss, Delta CEO Ed Bastian, praised their response as a “testament to the safety that’s embedded in the systems.” “It’s horrifying. When you look at the video you can imagine when I received the text minutes after it happened, hearing that there was a regional jet upside down on an active runway with 80 people on board, how I felt without knowing it, what was transpiring,” Bastian said in an interview with CBS Mornings. “But the reality is that safety is embedded into our system,” he said. “Air travel in the United States is the safest form of transportation and travel there is. Period. And it’s because we train for events like this.” What was it like inside the cabin? Flight 4819 from Minneapolis to Toronto, operated by Delta subsidiary Endeavor Air, crashed on landing around 2:30 p.m. Monday. Videos show the plane hitting the runway hard, bursting into flames then skidding along the tarmac and flipping over. “It was very uncomfortable, a very just solid, uncomfortable experience — forceful on the impact, sideways movement and suddenly just inverted,” Peter Carlson, a paramedic who was traveling to Toronto for a conference, told The Associated Press. ”The only mission was to get out.” Carlson was awarded at the paramedics conference for his “courageous and meritorious actions” in helping other passengers. The certificate says his actions “preserved life, reduced injury and provided calm.” “I have a laceration, abrasion, some bruises on my legs, some bruises on my ribs, but alive,” Carlson said. “Everyone is alive. I don’t know if I am deserving of going into miracle territory but it’s amazing.” Other videos appear to show passengers scrambling out of an upside-down cabin as workers assist them off the plane onto the snowy tarmac and emergency crews hose the aircraft with water. Passengers take action Some passengers “who have been harmed as a result of the crash” retained the law firm Rochon Genova, according to Vincent Genova, head of the company’s Aviation Litigation Group. “Our clients, similar to many other passengers, suffered personal injuries of a serious nature that required hospital attention,” Genova said in a statement. “With our involvement, we expect to reach a timely and fair resolution for these clients and others who reach out to us.” A spokesperson for Delta confirmed it has offered each passenger $30,000 and is “telling customers this gesture has no strings attached and does not affect rights.” A Canadian investigator refused to comment on preliminary theories, although aviation experts told The Associated Press they will likely consider weather conditions, as well as the possibility of human error or an aircraft malfunction. “At this point, it’s far too early to say what the cause of this accident might be,” Ken Webster, a senior investigator for the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, said in a video statement Tuesday. He said investigators will examine the wreckage and runway, and that the cockpit voice and flight data recorders are being analyzed. TSB announced Wednesday afternoon that crews were moving the wreckage from the runway to a hangar for further examination. —Michael Casey, Associated Press View the full article

Max's March slate includes the fourth and final season of original comedy series The Righteous Gemstones (March 9), featuring Danny McBride, Adam Devine, John Goodman, and Edi Patterson, among others, as members of the famous televangelist Gemstone family. Episodes will debut weekly on Sundays. At the end of the month, Max Original reality series Paul American (March 27) will premiere, with weekly episodes stretching into April and May. The eight-installment show gives an inside look into the lives of Jake and Logan Paul. HBO is also releasing a nine-part sports documentary, Celtics City (first episode premieres on March 3), about the NBA franchise from its origin to its 2024 championship. There are three A24 films slated for Max in March: Queer (March 28) stars Daniel Craig as an American expat who develops a relationship with a younger main (played by Drew Starkey). The film is based on a William S. Burroughs novella, and Craig was nominated for Golden Globe, Critics' Choice, and Screen Actors Guild awards. Heretic (March 7) is a horror film about two Mormon missionaries attempting to convert a reclusive man played by Hugh Grant, who also received numerous award nominations for his performance. Finally, Sing Sing (March 21) stars Oscar nominee Colman Domingo as an inmate imprisoned at Sing Sing for a crime he didn't commit who joins a theater group with other incarcerated men—the film is based on a true story. Max will also have live sports in March, including NBA and NHL games, 3x3 women's basketball, and the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament from the first round through the Elite 8. Here's everything else coming to Max in March. What’s coming to Max in March 2025Available March 1A Lost Lady (1934) A Woman's Face (1941) AEW Special Events, 2020A (2020) AEW Special Events, 2021A (2021) AEW Special Events, 2022A (2022) AEW Special Events, 2023A (2023) AEW Special Events, 2024A (2024) Along the Great Divide (1951) Arrow in the Dust (1954) Assassin’s Creed (2016) Away We Go (2009) Big Eyes (2014) Captain Horatio Hornblower (1951) Carrie (1976) Carrie (2013) Child’s Play (1988) Child’s Play (2019) Executive Suite (1954) Ghostbusters (1984) Ghostbusters II (1989) Goodbye, My Fancy (1951) GoodFellas (1990) Jeopardy (1953) Ladies They Talk About (1933) Maggie (2015) Massacre River (1949) Men in Black (1997) Men in Black II (2002) Men in Black III (2012) My Reputation (1946) Night Nurse (1931) Paddy Chayefsky: Collector of Words (2024) Stand By Me (1986) Susan and God (1940) The Babe Ruth Story (1948) The Best Man Holiday (2013) The Burning Hills (1956) The Damned Don't Cry (1950) The Descendants (2011) The Forger (2015) The Mad Miss Manton (1938) The Man with a Cloak (1951) The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) The Purchase Price (1932) The Secret Bride (1934) The Two Mrs. Carrolls (1947) The Women (1939) This Woman Is Dangerous (1952) To Please a Lady (1950) When Ladies Meet (1941) White Chicks (2004) White Chicks: Unrated (2004) Why Him? (2016) Available March 3Celtics City (HBO Original) The Nut Job (2014) The Nut Job 2 (2017) Tournament of Champions, Season 6 (Food Network) Available March 4Smallfoot (2018) Available March 5Jay & Pamela, Season 1 (TLC) Road Rage, Season 3 (ID) Available March 6Dylan's Playtime Adventures, Season 1A (Max Original) Jellystone, Season 3B (Max Original) Available March 7Heretic (A24) When No One Sees Us (Cuando Nadie Nos Ve), Season 1 (Max Original) Available March 9The Righteous Gemstones, Season 4 (HBO Original) Available March 10Home Town Takeover, Season 3 (HGTV) Naked and Afraid, Season 18 (Discovery) Oh My God…Yes! A Series of Extremely Relatable Circumstances, Season 1 (Adult Swim) YOLO: Rainbow Trinity, Season 3 (Adult Swim) Available March 11Kobe: The Making of a Legend (CNN Original Series) Spring Baking Championship, Season 11 (Food Network) Available March 12Constables On Patrol, Season 1 (Discovery) Available March 13Battle of Culiacán: Heirs of the Cartel (Culiacanazo: Herederos del Narco) (Max Original) Expedition Bigfoot, Season 6 (Discovery) Married to Real Estate, Season 4 (HGTV) The Parenting (Max Original) Available March 14Beau Is Afraid (A24) Available March 15Bugs Bunny Builders, Season 2C (Cartoon Network) Ready to Love, Season 10 (OWN) Available March 17A Body in the Snow: The Trial of Karen Read, Season 1 (ID) A Clean Sheet: The Return of Gabe Landeskog, Season 1 (TNT Sports) TNT Sports Conversations, Season 1 (TNT Sports) Available March 19House of Knives, Season 1 (Food Network) Available March 21A Decent Man (Porządny Człowiek), Season 1 (HBO Original) Sing Sing (A24) Available March 22Tiny Toons Looniversity, Season 2C (Cartoon Network) Available March 23Girl Meets Farm, Season 14 (Food Network) Available March 24Signs of a Psychopath, Season 9 (ID) Available March 25Lockerbie: The Bombing of Pan Am 103, Season 1 (CNN Original) Available March 26Naked and Afraid: LatAm, Season 3 (discovery+) Available March 27Help! My House is Haunted, Season 5 (Travel Channel) Paul American, Season 1 (Max Original) Available March 28Bargain Mansions, Season 6 (Magnolia Network) Diners, Drive-Ins, Dives, Season 50 (Food Network) Queer (A24) Reformed (Le Sens Des Choses), Season 1 (Max Original) Available March 29The Pioneer Woman, Season 38 (Food Network) Available March 31Amityville: Where The Echo Lives (2024) Camp Hell (2010) Enter Nowhere (2011) View the full article

Bill would require lenders to inform the government if they found evidence of overpayment View the full article

The chief executive of streaming giant Netflix on Thursday announced a $1 billion investment to produce some 20 films and TV series in Mexico annually over the next four years. Speaking at President Claudia Sheinbaum‘s morning press conference in Mexico City, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos said he looked forward to entering more partnerships with producers in the Latin American nation. Sheinbaum said the investments in the film industry should produce many jobs beyond immediate production needs, such as hospitality for actors and crew members, fashion designers and also spur tourism. “It’s an industry that gives a lot of mileage to the economy,” Sheinbaum said. “It’s not only important for Mexico to be seen in the world, but also because of the economic development and jobs generated by a production.” Netflix has invested in Mexican productions such as “Club de Cuervos,” a comedy-drama about the politics of a local soccer club, 2018’s “Roma,” the first Mexican entry to win the Oscar for best non-English language film, and last year’s “Pedro Paramo.” “Pedro Paramo,” an adaptation of Juan Rulfo’s classic 1955 novel, required the support of hundreds of artists and musicians and the production of some 5,000 traditional textile items, Sarandos said, adding that the book’s sales later tripled. Netflix has already agreed to collaborate with Mexico City’s Estudios Churubusco, one of Latin America’s longest-running film studios, Sarandos said. He added that Netflix plans to fund programs to help talent behind the camera break into the industry, and that Mexico’s geographical variety makes it a good location for filming. Last year, Netflix bought the rights to Oscar-nominated “Emilia Perez,” a French-made musical about a trans Mexican drug lord, which garnered much criticism in Mexico over cultural stereotypes, poor Spanish, lack of Mexican actors and a light treatment of the issue of forced disappearances – and spawned a Mexican-made parody in retaliation. “Emilia Perez” began screening in Mexican cinemas nearly half a year after its European release date, and Mexico’s consumer watchdog had to order a top cinema chain to clarify its guarantee refund policy after many spectators walked out of the movie. ($1 = 20.3374 Mexican pesos) —Sarah Morland and Aida Pelaez-Fernandez, Reuters View the full article

Paramount+'s March slate is anchored by a new original crime series Happy Face (March 20), which tells the true story of Keith Jesperson, a serial killer known as Happy Face. The drama stars Dennis Quaid as Jesperson and Annaleigh Ashford as his daughter, who discovered his identity at age 15 and must decide if she wants a relationship with him after decades of no contact. Also in true crime is a three-part docuseries Sin City Gigolo: A Murder in Las Vegas (March 4) about the criminal investigation into a former reality TV star arrested in 2020 for murder. March brings a handful of music features to Paramount+, including a remastered version of the 80s film Tom Petty: Heartbreakers Beach Party Extended (March 11), which originally debuted on MTV, as well as the two-hour taped special Ringo & Friends at the Ryman (March 10) featuring performances from Ringo Starr and guests ranging from Sheryl Crow to Emmylou Harris. Here’s everything else coming to the service in February. Note that titles with an asterisk are exclusive to Paramount+ With Showtime; everything else is also available to subscribers on the ad-supported plan. Those with two asterisks are available to Paramount+ With Showtime users streaming live on CBS and to all subscribers the following day. Paramount+ Originals and premieres coming in March 2025Available March 1Strange Darling* Available March 3Rumours* Available March 4Sin City Gigolo: A Murder in Las Vegas, premiere Available March 10Ringo & Friends at the Ryman,** special Available March 11Tom Petty: Heartbreakers Beach Party Extended, premiere Available March 20Happy Face, series premiere TV shows coming to Paramount+ in March 2025Available March 5The Amazing Race (season 37 premiere)** The Fairly OddParents: Abra-Catastrophe Special The Surreal Life (season 2) Available March 12Air Disasters (season 20) The Fairly OddParents: A New Wish (season 1) Available March 19Teen Mom: The Next Chapter (season 2) Available March 26Basketball Wives (season 11) Movies coming to Paramount+ in March 2025Available March 1A League of Their Own Annihilation Becoming Jane Blue Crush Boys on the Side Cloud Atlas Continue Crawl Dune (1984) Edge of Tomorrow Elizabethtown Ex Machina Face/Off Failure to Launch Foxcatcher Foxfire Frozen River Good Will Hunting Harlem Nights Inglourious Basterds* Julie & Julia Jungleland Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Love, Rosie Marie Antoinette Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life* Million Dollar Baby Motherhood* Mulholland Drive Only the Brave Pan's Labyrinth Practical Magic Pulp Fiction Rat Race Room Run All Night Searching For Bobby Fischer Serpico Shutter Island Sicario: Day of the Soldado Sleepy Hollow Snake Eyes Son of a Gun Staying Alive Sugar & Spice The Abandon The Fifth Estate* The Glorias The Heartbreak Kid (2007) The Hurt Locker The Ides of March The Kite Runner The Lodge* The Machinist The Manchurian Candidate The Other Boleyn Girl The Queens of Comedy The Sum of All Fears The Terminal The Virgin Suicides The Warriors The Way Of The Dragon The Weekend The Women There Will Be Blood Trail of Justice Up In The Air Wayne's World Wayne's World 2 Witness Available March 3The House with a Clock in Its Walls* Available March 8Babylon India Sweets and Spices* Available March 16Bridge of Spies* Available March 18The Last Manhunt* Available March 21The Hunting Party* Available March 23The Free World* Available March 26Mass* Available March 31American Psycho* American Psycho II: All American Girl* View the full article

The potential impacts of import tariffs cloud the outlook, though, and could lead mortgage rates to surge and fall throughout the coming year. View the full article

When Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, there was a lot of focus on the price tag ($599 is cheap for a new iPhone, but not that cheap), the lack of MagSafe support, and Apple's decision to finally kill off the Home button. But there's an interesting discussion surrounding the 16e's processor: the A18. At first glance, it seems like the same chip as the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. The phones also have the A18, which makes it sound like the iPhone 16e offers the same performance as its more expensive sibling devices, for at least $200 less. The thing is, these aren't the same chips: The A18 in the iPhone 16e is "binned." What is a "binned" chip?"Binned" chips don't just apply to Apple products. All computer chip makers can bin their chips. It has to do with the manufacturing process: Chips are extremely complicated products, and they don't all come out exactly the same. Samples are tested for quality assurance purposes, and the chips that aren't quite up to snuff are separated from the ones that perform to standard. The former are then "binned," and won't be used as high-end chips, since they aren't able to hit the performance levels manufacturers are looking for. That doesn't mean binned chips won't be used at all, however. On the contrary, binned chips are often used, especially as mid- and lower-tier options. Manufacturers will often disable different "cores" of these chips to keep their performance in check. They're still perfectly capable chips, especially when they have this ceiling in place. Intel does this with its line of chips, for example, which is why you have different performance variants, like i5, i7, and i9. Apple does this, too: For the iPad mini 7, the company used binned A17 Pro chips. Now, Apple is using binned A18s for the iPhone 16e. How the iPhone 16e uses binned A18sSo, Apple makes a batch of A18 chips, originally intended to ship with the iPhone 16 series. During testing, some of these A18 chips aren't totally up to snuff, so they're set aside and not used for iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus devices. However, Apple has a new iPhone they want to sell for less than its flagship line—one that strips out "premium" features to keep costs down, but also offers incentives for users to actually buy their new iPhone over other options. It does have some binned A18 chips lying around: Why not use those instead? The iPhone 16e, then, uses the "same" chip as you'd find in the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus—but we know it doesn't perform as well, and thus can't be pushed as far. Apple, then, disables one of the GPU cores to keep performance in check. The 16e's CPU has the same six cores as the 16 and 16 Plus' (two performance and four efficiency), and the NPU has the same 16 cores across all devices. But where the GPU in the 16 and 16 Plus has five cores, the GPU in the 16e only has four cores. That's because these chips are binned. We won't know exactly how the binned A18 compares to the A18 found in the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus until reviewers get their hands on the iPhone 16e. However, my guess is the differences will be minimal. The CPUs and NPUs are the same, and the 16e's GPU still has four cores, which means performance for most tasks on the iPhone is going to be high. However, where the difference might show is in graphically demanding apps, such as AAA games. Developers could push the iPhone 16 a bit further than the iPhone 16e, because it has that extra GPU core. That will likely extend to the longevity of these devices, too: As software advances and becomes more demanding, the extra GPU core on the iPhone 16 could help keep it running smoother for longer. That said, it's just one extra core. In all likelihood, it's not going to amount to that great a difference. We'll see the numbers once reviewers run their benchmarks, but I think Apple's choice here was more about saving the company money than offering users a noticeably worse experience. View the full article

Private equity firms Apollo Global Management and Sycamore Partners are among the bidders who are competing to acquire Family Dollar, a discount retail chain operated by Dollar Tree, according to people familiar with the matter. Investment firm Brigade Capital Management has also expressed interest in buying Family Dollar, the sources said, requesting anonymity as the discussions are confidential. A deal for Family Dollar, which could value the retailer at several billion dollars, is not imminent, the sources said, cautioning that Dollar Tree could choose not to sell the business. It is also possible that a different suitor for Family Dollar could emerge, the sources added. Shares of Dollar Tree, which has a market value of about $16.5 billion, jumped more than 5% on the news on Thursday, before paring some gains. Dollar Tree did not respond to a request for comment. Apollo, Brigade and Sycamore declined to comment. Chesapeake, Virginia-based Dollar Tree has been working with investment bankers at JPMorgan Chase to explore options, including a potential sale or spinoff, for Family Dollar since June last year. The move marked a reversal for Dollar Tree, which acquired Family Dollar in 2015 for about $9 billion after outbidding its biggest rival Dollar General. Since the takeover, Family Dollar has struggled with its performance and its growth has stalled as the discount retailer has been unable to attract new customers. Its performance has lagged larger retailers such as Walmart and Target, as consumers cut back on discretionary spending due to high inflation. As of November 2, Dollar Tree operated 16,590 stores across 48 states and five provinces in Canada under the brands of Dollar Tree, Family Dollar and Dollar Tree Canada. Family Dollar generated roughly $13.7 billion of net revenue in the last 12 months, according to Reuters calculations. Sycamore, which has raised about $10 billion in aggregate committed capital, is an experienced retail investor that owns retailers like Staples, Loft, Ann Taylor, Talbots and Belk. In recent months, Sycamore has also been attempting to pull off a takeover of pharmacy chain Walgreens Boots Alliance. Apollo Global Management, which had about $70 billion of assets under management under its private equity strategy as of December 31, has acquired and invested in retailers including Michaels and PetSmart. Brigade Capital manages around $27 billion of assets and is primarily known as a credit investor. Last year, Brigade partnered with investment firm Arkhouse Management in its failed attempt to acquire department store Macy’s. —Abigail Summerville, Reuters View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Apple released the latest iMac in late 2024, using their all-powerful M4 chip with their all-in-one desktop. If you've been keeping tabs on the iMac, this is a good opportunity to pull the trigger. You can get the M4 iMac for $1,149 (originally $1,299) after a $150 discount, the lowest price since its recent release according to price tracking tools. Apple iMac (2024, M4) $1,149.00 at Amazon $1,299.00 Save $150.00 Get Deal Get Deal $1,149.00 at Amazon $1,299.00 Save $150.00 The latest iMac comes with the M4 chip, which is about 1.5 times faster than the M2, and of course, comes better prepared to handle AI than previous models. You'll get 16GB of RAM, 256GB SSD of storage, an 8-core CPU, and an 8-core GPU. If you want to double your Thunderbolt 4 ports to four and get a 10-core CPU and GPU, you can upgrade to this even more powerful M4 iMac, which is also at its lowest price of $1,374 (originally $1,499). Some other improvements include the 12MP Center Stage webcam and USB-C charging ports for the Magic Mouse, Magic Keyboard, and Magic Trackpad. The “nano-texture display" option makes the 4.5K Retina display a bit less prone to glare or reflections. The design is essentially the same since 2021, according to PCMag's "excellent" review. One cool new feature that might be useful to you is the ability to mirror your iPhone and your MacBook's display to the monitor. While it's not a true external monitor, it sure beats spending more money for the 2022 Studio Display. The M4 iMac can handle heavy workloads, making it a capable workhorse computer for those looking to work on demanding software for media editing or similar work. Like older iMacs, you can expect the M4 to last many years and get support for Apple well into the future (M1's still get major updates). View the full article

Letitia James and 22 other attorneys general have filed an amicus brief in a Maryland case challenging the dissolution of the consumer protection agency. View the full article

When Apple announced the iPhone 16E yesterday, it also confirmed that the new budget phone will get Apple Intelligence’s “Visual Intelligence” feature, marking the first time the AI trick will come to a phone without a “Camera Control” button. While the other iPhone 16 series phones use their Camera Control buttons to access Visual Intelligence, the iPhone 16E can instead map it to its Action Button, a simple change that raises the question: why not the iPhone 15 Pro, too? Personally, as an iPhone 15 Pro owner, I’ve been asking that question for months now, as I’ve long suspected my phone’s internals were definitely capable of it—it can run every other Apple Intelligence feature without issue. It instead seemed to me like Apple was arbitrarily holding the feature back because it wanted to tie it to a specific button press I didn't have. Well, with the iPhone 16E adopting the Action Button workaround, it seems like Apple’s finally listening. Apple representatives have now confirmed that Visual Intelligence will be coming to the iPhone 15 Pro as well, using the same strategy. Speaking to Daring Fireball’s Jeff Gruber, an Apple spokesperson said that the iPhone 15 Pro will indeed get Visual Intelligence “in a future software update,” and that users could map it to the Action Button. Sweet vindication. There’s no word on when exactly that software update will come, and to be honest, I’m not sure if I’ll use Visual Intelligence much, but it’s encouraging to see my phone’s software not get held back by an arbitrary push for hardware cohesion anymore. For the uninitiated, Visual Intelligence brings AI to your iPhone’s camera. You can point your camera at a foreign language menu, for instance, to get a translation, or point it at a book to get a summary of what’s on the page, or point it at a dog to try to find out what breed it is. It can also surface information about businesses simply by looking at their storefront or signage (in the United States only), and works with Google and ChatGPT for extended search queries. In other words, it's similar to Google Lens, but puts AI first and is built into your operating system. Again, I’ve been prevented from playing around with it much, but hey, at least I now have the option. View the full article

Another food recall is underway: “Berry Buddies, berries & pancakes” breakfast snack packs sold at Kroger and Meijer supermarkets in 13 states have been recalled after it was discovered that packaging failed to list wheat and eggs as ingredients on the label, according to an announcement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The item includes fresh blueberries and mini pancakes, and is generally found in the refrigerated section, produce aisle, or deli departments of the stores. Not including these ingredients on the label poses a risk of serious reactions to those allergic to either or both wheat and eggs. Here’s what you need to know about the recall. What’s happened? Naturipe Value Added Fresh LLC is recalling 694 of its bento box snack packs and is coordinating with regulatory agencies. According to the recall, which was first published on the FDA’s website on Wednesday, February 19, “people who have allergies to wheat and/or eggs run the risk of serious allergic reactions if they consume these products.” The FDA announcement also stated that no illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this recall. Which Berry Buddies, Berries & Pancakes products are part of the recall? The products included in the recall can be identified by the following details, which are printed on the back of the package, near the barcode: Size: 2.1 oz (60 grams) packages Lot Number: 1097901 Best By Date: 02/25/2025 Dates sold: Between early February 2025 and February 18, 2025 What states are affected by the recall? The affected products were distributed in the following states: Arkansas Michigan Ohio Tennessee Virginia Minnesota Kentucky Indiana Illinois Missouri Mississippi West Virginia Wisconsin What should I do if I bought the recalled snack pack? Consumers can return the products to their place of purchase for a full refund, according to Consumer Affairs. If it’s not possible to return the item, it is recommended to discard the snack pack. What should I do if I ate the recalled snack pack? Individuals who have wheat or egg allergies and have consumed the product should watch for signs of an allergic reaction, which may include difficulty breathing, hives, swelling, or gastrointestinal distress, according to the FDA recall notice. Seek medical attention if symptoms appear. How can I get a refund or replacement? Contact Naturipe by phone, 239-598-6045, or by email at info@naturipefarms.com. Customer service is available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m ET. View the full article

Whenever I have a carb emergency I make one of two things: cookies or quick bread. Lately I’ve been leaning toward the latter—like banana bread, lemon poppy muffins, or biscuits—because they’re less sweet compared to cookies, and I enjoy the ritual smear of salted butter. I’ve been making this Irish soda bread on repeat and I think you’ll like it too. Quick-bread satisfactionThe quick breads category is pretty wide. They can be sweet and cake-y like banana bread, barely sweet like scones, or savory like cheddar cheese and thyme biscuits. Unlike yeast-raised breads, quick breads are raised with chemical leaveners (baking soda or baking powder), which means they require absolutely none of the long proof times. What’s more, something like Irish soda bread requires very few ingredients. The Dutch oven is my vehicle of choice for this lofty, tender Irish soda bread. Similar to baking a sourdough loaf, humidity is your soda bread’s friend. Encasing your soda bread in a small space allows humidity to build up as moisture evaporates from the dough. The moist air keeps the surface of the loaf flexible for longer than if you bake it open on a sheet tray. The extra flexibility means the loaf can rise taller, uninhibited by a hard crust. How to make Irish soda breadI slightly modified this simple recipe, which has only four ingredients: flour, salt, baking soda, and buttermilk. It’s very similar to biscuit dough (minus butter or oil). While traditional soda bread is the simplest—no raisins—I choose to toss them in. You can substitute in other mix-ins if the mood strikes you: Try dried cranberries, chopped dried apricots, or chocolate chips. The dough is relatively plain so any flavor profile you choose will work just fine. I have two notes before you set out to make your loaf. Most importantly, don’t overwork your dough. You’ve heard it before, but with shaggy doughs like this it’s hard to resist kneading it until smooth. Don’t do it. Leave it a bit shaggy and you’ll have a more tender loaf. About preheating your Dutch oven: The conventional oven should be preheated no matter what, but I’ve made this recipe with a cold Dutch oven before. I actually made a whole Irish soda bread YouTube video using a cold pot. It comes out perfectly and well-risen. However, I've recently been preheating the Dutch oven as the conventional oven heats up, and the loaf comes out perfectly there too. In the recipe below, I preheat the pot. You can do either—the only difference I detect is a faster bake by 10 minutes if you choose to preheat. Any other Irish soda bread questions you have might be answered here. Otherwise, the dough takes mere minutes to put together. Irish Soda BreadIngredients: 12 ounces all-purpose flour ¾ teaspoon salt ¾ teaspoon baking soda 10 ounces buttermilk 2 ounces raisins (optional) 1. Put the Dutch oven inside the oven and preheat to 425°F. Mix the flour, salt, and baking soda together in a large bowl. 2. Pour in the buttermilk all at once and combine the ingredients by pressing and stirring. I use a plastic bowl scraper to do this. 3. When the dough starts to become clumpy and shaggy, add the raisins (if using) and continue pressing and stirring. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann 4. When it’s mostly combined but there is still loose flour at the bottom of the bowl, pour the dough out onto an un-floured countertop. Pat and press the dough to pick up the dry bits. Use any sticky areas to target the loose flour. Once you’ve collected most of the loose parts, pat the dough into a (roughly) two-inch thick round. Use a serrated knife to score a half-inch deep plus sign into the dough. Place the loaf on a piece of parchment paper. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann 5. Carefully take the Dutch oven out and use the parchment to lift and lower the loaf into the pot. Put the lid back on and return the pot to the oven. Bake for 25 minutes, then remove the lid and bake for another 10 minutes until golden brown. Cool the soda bread on a wire rack before noshing. View the full article

Android, unlike some phone operating systems, allows users to install software from outside the default app store (even if you don't live in Europe). And that's good, because there's all kinds of great software that you can't get on Google Play. The game Fortnite is a prominent example—that game's developer, Epic, doesn't want to pay Google a cut of sales and as such isn't available on Android's main app store. Other apps aren't available because of Google's interests—for example, there's an ad-free, privacy respecting YouTube client that you can't find on Google Play. If you've never installed Android software without using Google Play, however, you might not know where to start. The good news is that sideloading is not hard. Sideloading comes with security concernsBefore you go too wild, though, know that there are security implications—you should be careful about sideloading Android apps. While it's not always perfect, Google Play has a system to keep malware out of their app store. Installing apps from outside that ecosystem means that you, yourself, need to do that vetting. Only sideload applications if you trust where they're coming from. F-Droid, which I'm highlighting in this article, is maintained by a community of open source developers and I'm inclined to trust it. Don't install APK files unless you've done your due diligence and have a good reason to trust the source. Getting started with sideloadingFirst, you'll need to download the APK file for the app you want to install. I'm going to use F-Droid, an alternative app store that only carries free and open source applications, to demonstrate how this works. I downloaded the APK file from the website, then I tried to open it. I was told that I was not permitted to install unknown apps from my download manager—in your case the warning may name Chrome, or whatever browser you use. In any case you can tap Settings to adjust the setting to allow installing apps. Once you've enabled the setting, you can now go back to your browser and reopen the file. You will be asked if you want to install the app—tap Install. You'll see the installer for a few moments, after which the application will be installed. Credit: Justin Pot Note that you'll have to repeat these steps for any other sources of software. For example, if you try to install an APK using your phone's file browser, you'll need to enable the file browser as a source for software. The same goes for F-Droid and any other alternative app store—you need to give the application permission to install apps. The exact steps are going to vary depending on your specific model of phone and operating system—that's the norm for Android. And in some cases your phone might be locked down to prevent such software from being installed—a lot of company-issued phones, for example, are locked down by IT departments. All that aside, though, you should now be able to install APK files. Enjoy the freedom! View the full article

Potential policy changes, a growing product niche, new thinking about whether to outsource and technology innovations are transforming the industry. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. I've been a fan of Ultimate Ears (UE) outdoor speakers since I first got the Megaboom 3 back in 2018, and I'm still using it as my personal go-to portable speaker. The Megaboom 4 is its newer version, which came out last year, but it's already 32% off, bringing its price down to $135.44 (originally $199.99). This is the lowest price it has reached according to price-tracking tools, and it's cheaper than the Megaboom 3. Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 4 Protection: Water and dustproof, Sound: 360-Degree, Battery Life: 20-Hour, Range: 147Ft. $135.44 at Amazon $199.99 Save $64.55 Get Deal Get Deal $135.44 at Amazon $199.99 Save $64.55 UE is well-known in the portable speaker market for making some of the best outdoor speakers. Its Megaboom series is the brand's flagship speaker, and the fourth reiteration of the speaker was long overdue. The upgrade brings USB-C fast charging, a longer battery life of up to 20 hours, a skip-back media control on its physical buttons, more sub-bass range, and a better sound with more balance. Because of the way UE designs its speakers, you get 360-degree sound, which is ideal for outdoor use (but it sounds great indoors as well). This speaker, and like many in its lineup, floats on water and has a water- and dust-proof IP67 rating. The companion app lets you fully customize the EQ and connect your speaker to other UE speakers to create a stereo sound. The speaker itself already offers stereo, but since it's a single speaker, it'll be hard to notice. Despite the upgrades, the Megaboom 4 doesn't get as loud as its predecessor, maxing out around 83 dBs, and the audio quality will sound a bit compressed at those levels, but unless you like to blast your music, this won't be much of an issue. If you're looking for a great portable speaker with modern tech, the Megaboom 4 will not disappoint, especially at this price. View the full article

HubSpot and Canva have announced a new partnership aimed at simplifying content creation for small and medium-sized businesses. The collaboration integrates Canva’s design tools directly into HubSpot’s platform, enabling users to create, edit, and publish on-brand content without leaving the HubSpot environment. The integration introduces a “Design with Canva” button within HubSpot, allowing users to access Canva’s full suite of design tools, including Magic Studio AI, without switching between platforms. Marketers can now create visuals for email templates, social media posts, and landing pages while maintaining brand consistency. “Visual storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to show, not tell, your story to customers—one image can do the work of a thousand words,” said Karen Ng, Senior Vice President of Product & Partnerships at HubSpot. “By bringing together Canva’s creative platform with HubSpot’s customer platform, we’re making it fast and easy for teams to create professional designs at scale. Whether you’re a team of one or hundreds, this integration empowers you to meet the growing content demands of today’s market.” How the Integration Works The partnership enhances both creativity and efficiency by enabling teams to: Add Canva Pro Elements directly into their HubSpot designs. Collaborate seamlessly by commenting and sharing designs within HubSpot. Access Canva projects created in HubSpot from their Canva homepage. Users can design content by selecting the “Design with Canva” option when uploading an image within HubSpot’s content editor. First-time users will be prompted to log into their Canva account before proceeding. Once a design is completed, it can be saved and immediately used in marketing campaigns. Global Availability The HubSpot-Canva integration is available worldwide at no additional cost for all HubSpot users, regardless of tier, with a Canva subscription. By embedding Canva’s creative tools directly into HubSpot’s marketing platform, the partnership aims to give businesses a competitive creative edge in an increasingly visual and fast-paced digital landscape. Image: Hubspot This article, "HubSpot and Canva Partner to Streamline Design and Marketing Integration" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

HubSpot and Canva have announced a new partnership aimed at simplifying content creation for small and medium-sized businesses. The collaboration integrates Canva’s design tools directly into HubSpot’s platform, enabling users to create, edit, and publish on-brand content without leaving the HubSpot environment. The integration introduces a “Design with Canva” button within HubSpot, allowing users to access Canva’s full suite of design tools, including Magic Studio AI, without switching between platforms. Marketers can now create visuals for email templates, social media posts, and landing pages while maintaining brand consistency. “Visual storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to show, not tell, your story to customers—one image can do the work of a thousand words,” said Karen Ng, Senior Vice President of Product & Partnerships at HubSpot. “By bringing together Canva’s creative platform with HubSpot’s customer platform, we’re making it fast and easy for teams to create professional designs at scale. Whether you’re a team of one or hundreds, this integration empowers you to meet the growing content demands of today’s market.” How the Integration Works The partnership enhances both creativity and efficiency by enabling teams to: Add Canva Pro Elements directly into their HubSpot designs. Collaborate seamlessly by commenting and sharing designs within HubSpot. Access Canva projects created in HubSpot from their Canva homepage. Users can design content by selecting the “Design with Canva” option when uploading an image within HubSpot’s content editor. First-time users will be prompted to log into their Canva account before proceeding. Once a design is completed, it can be saved and immediately used in marketing campaigns. Global Availability The HubSpot-Canva integration is available worldwide at no additional cost for all HubSpot users, regardless of tier, with a Canva subscription. By embedding Canva’s creative tools directly into HubSpot’s marketing platform, the partnership aims to give businesses a competitive creative edge in an increasingly visual and fast-paced digital landscape. Image: Hubspot This article, "HubSpot and Canva Partner to Streamline Design and Marketing Integration" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage of 6.85% is just five basis points lower than the same time last year, following wider swings in the past 12 months. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Many of us have stairs in our home that could use a bit of a makeover, either due to wear and tear over time or because they’re builder-grade basic and didn't have much style to begin with. If you don't want to spend a lot of money upgrading a space meant to simply get you from one floor to another, though, there are ways to jazz your existing stairs without spending a lot. If you’re suddenly thinking that your boring stairs need a glow-up, here are some ways to accomplish that without cleaning out your bank account. PaintPaint is always the easiest and cheapest upgrade you can do, and that applies to your stairs as well. You can easily paint the risers a bold contrasting color that will transform even the most basic stairs into a design element. You can also grab a gallon of floor paint and transform the treads. Doing both together allows you to create a classic black and white look or get creative with a palette that complements the rest of the home’s design. And don’t forget the railing, balustrades, and newel post—giving these a gleaming new coat of paint is an instant transformation that doesn’t break the bank. Wallpaper or tileYour risers offer an incredible design opportunity—they’re essentially tiny canvases that you can dress up in a variety of ways. Applying wallpaper to your risers can give your stairs a punch of color and pattern that will make them pop, and you can probably do the entire staircase with just one roll of paper—or buy some contact paper pieces designed just for this purpose. If you have some leftover tile from another project or a line on some cheap tile, you can also tile your risers just like you’d tile a backsplash, instantly giving them a finished, stylish look. You’re not limited to the risers, either. You can wallpaper the wall, either covering it completely or creating a “skirtboard” effect that outlines the rise of the steps along the wall. Just bringing color and design into the space will class up your stairs. TrimStair brackets are trim pieces that are attached to the exterior of the stairs, adding some dimension and design to the part of your stairs that people will be staring at when they’re not actively walking on them. They’re pretty easy to install (you can use construction glue if you’re not comfortable with a nail gun or hammering in trim nails) and instantly upgrade the look of the staircase. You can also add trim to the staircase wall without splashing out. If you’re a decent carpenter, you can create and install a skirtboard along the wall, adding dimension and depth to your stair design. Alternatively (and much more easily) you can grab some stick-on wall trim and create a design on the wall to accent the stairs. LightingLighting can be a dramatic element in any space, but it’s extra dramatic on stairs—especially at night. Adding some simple stick-on lights to the wall close to the treads not only increases safety, it adds an artistic element, and rechargeable led strips under the lip of the treads turn your boring stairs into a focal point. Key things to consider when choosing lights are the brightness and warmth of the lights—you want them to be bright enough to increase visibility, but not so bright that they’re distracting. The warmth level should be tailored as much as possible to the palette of your home’s other design features. This might require a bit of experimentation before you land on the perfect combination. RunnersIf your stairs are fine but could use a little nudge of style (and maybe a nudge of safety), adding a carpet runner down the center is an easy project that adds a pop of color and design while increasing the grip. Installing a runner is a pretty straightforward DIY job that shouldn’t take more than a few hours, but you can simplify the task by using stick-on carpet treads instead—not quite as dramatic, but they still add dimension and safety to your stairs. If you go with a full runner, you can add stair rods pretty easily for an extra pop of design. Stair rods are a classic touch that also helps hold your runner in place so it doesn’t slip and pull over time, which can be both a safety issue and ugly as heck. Tread capsYou can jazz up builder-basic treads without tearing them out or sanding and staining them by using tread caps. These are thin veneers that slip over your existing treads, instantly hiding defects and changing the whole look and feel of your stairs. This is a fairly easy DIY job, though you’ll need to cut the caps to fit your stairs. View the full article

Calabria left the free-market think tank Cato Institute and is said to be at the Office of Management and Budget, reviewing multiple agencies. View the full article

Trade body said it would work with Defra and other parties to ensure ‘robust’ standardsView the full article

Technology has made our lives easier in so many ways, but it has also created opportunities for scammers. They take advantage of unsuspecting people using a technical support scam. In this article, we’ll discuss twelve tech support scams you should be aware of. Knowing about them can help you protect yourself and your computer and help keep you from getting scammed online. Let’s get started! What are Technical Support Scams, and How Do They Work? Technical support scams have existed for years and are designed to steal your personal or financial information. Here’s how they operate: tech support scammers reach out to you, pretending to represent a reputable tech company such as Microsoft or Apple. They assert that there is an issue with your computer and that they require your assistance to resolve it. They might ask you to install malicious software that will give them access to your system, or they might try to get your credit or debit card information. Either way, they’re trying to steal your money. Don’t fall for it! Hang up the phone and report the scam to the proper authorities. READ MORE: Do You Need IT Support for Your Small Business? Common Tech Support Scams Businesses Face Businesses that both offer and use technical support services are often the targets of scammers. Let’s take a look at some common scams businesses face and should be aware of. Online Ads & Listings in SERPS Scammers will place online ads and listings on search engine results pages (SERPS), often using the name of a legitimate company. They may also create a fake website that looks like the real company’s site. When potential customers click on the ad or listing, they’re taken to the scammer’s site or given a fake phone number to call. The scammer then tries to sell the customer unnecessary support services or software or convince them to give up their personal or financial information. Scam Programs Scammers will create fake versions of legitimate software programs and offer them for download. These programs may contain malware that can infect your system, or they may be completely useless. Either way, the scammer is trying to get you to install their software so they can either steal your information or sell you unnecessary support services. Suspicious or Unknown Pop-up Window While browsing the web, a pop-up window suddenly appears, prompting you to call a phone number for tech support. The message may claim that your computer has a virus or that there is an issue with your account. Don’t call the number! These fake alerts are a scam designed to get you to give up your personal or financial information. Phishing Emails or Text Messages Scammers will send a phishing email or text message that appears to be from a legitimate company. They may say there’s a problem with your account or that you need to update your information. The message will often include a link to a fake website that looks like the real company’s site. Don’t click on the link! If you do, you may be taken to a site that will ask you for your personal or financial information. Or, the link may download malware onto your computer. Scam Websites Scammers often set up counterfeit websites that closely resemble legitimate ones. They might use a domain name similar to the authentic site or introduce a minor misspelling. Alternatively, they may establish a subdomain of the actual site (for instance, support.example.com). When you access the site, you may be prompted to provide your personal or financial details. You might also be presented with phony support services or software to download. In any case, the goal of the scammer is to steal your information. Tech Support Phone Scams This scam works by the scammer placing unsolicited phone calls to a business and pretending to be a computer technician from a tech support company. The scammer will then tell the business that they are experiencing problems with their operating system and that they need to take action immediately. The scammer then provides the business with one of the scam phone numbers to call. The business calls the number and reaches a person also pretending to be from tech support. The person on the other end of the line will then tell the business that they need to pay for tech support in order to fix the problem. The business will then be scammed out of money. Remote Desktop Software Scams Scammers frequently instruct victims to download and install remote desktop software, claiming it will fix a computer problem. After the software is installed, the scammer obtains complete access to the victim’s computer, which can lead to the theft of sensitive information or the installation of malware. Additionally, they may request payment for the “service” they offer. Social Media Tech Support Impersonation Scammers are increasingly using social media platforms to impersonate tech support from well-known companies. They respond to your tech queries or complaints on social media and then direct you to fraudulent websites or phone numbers. Through these channels, they might offer to fix nonexistent problems for a fee or install malware on your device. Fake Tech Support Job Scams These scams target individuals looking for tech support jobs. Scammers post fake job listings, and when applicants respond, they are asked to pay for training, certification, or a startup kit. The job doesn’t exist, and the scammer walks away with the money and personal information provided during the application process. Voicemail Phishing (Vishing) In this scam, victims receive a voicemail purportedly from a legitimate tech support company, warning them about a security breach or software issue. The voicemail includes a callback number, and when the victim calls, they’re pressured into providing sensitive information or allowing remote access to their computer. Overpayment Tech Support Scam In this situation, a scammer impersonating a customer reaches out to a tech support service provider for assistance. Following the service, they deliberately overpay—often by a substantial sum—using a stolen credit card or a fraudulent account. They subsequently request a refund for the overpaid amount, typically directing it to a different account, which allows them to launder money through the business. Fake Antivirus Software Alerts Scammers use pop-up alerts on websites that warn you about viruses supposedly found on your computer. These alerts look legitimate and prompt you to download antivirus software, which is actually malware. Alternatively, they may direct you to a fraudulent website where you’re asked to input credit card information to purchase the fake antivirus software. How Bad is the Problem? Tech support scams are a problem that is increasingly becoming more significant. Elderly adults are especially vulnerable to these scams, as they are often targeted by tech support scammers who pose as legitimate tech support staff. Victims of tech support fraud lose an average of $200, though some have lost thousands of dollars. Tips for Avoiding Tech Support Scams Here are four tips to help you avoid tech support scams: Initiate Communication Caution: Remember that legitimate tech companies never initiate unsolicited calls for tech support. If an unknown caller claims to be from tech support, it’s wise to hang up. Scammers often employ this tactic to catch you off guard, so remain vigilant and skeptical of uninvited communications. Research Reputable Companies: Go the extra mile by conducting research before engaging with a tech support provider. Visit the official company website to identify authorized phone numbers. In the digital age, caller ID can also aid in verifying the authenticity of incoming “tech support” calls. This diligence ensures you deal exclusively with trusted entities. Guard Your Personal Information: A cardinal rule in navigating tech support is never to share sensitive data like passwords or credit card numbers. Genuine tech support will never request such information. Exercise caution when divulging personal or financial details to unfamiliar individuals, thereby mitigating potential risks. Fortify with Updated Antivirus Software: Staying one step ahead is paramount. Regularly update your antivirus software and perform routine scans. This proactive approach guards your system against malware that scammers may attempt to implant. By maintaining an active line of defense, you enhance your computer’s resilience against cyber threats. StrategyDescription Initiate Communication CautionLegitimate tech companies never initiate unsolicited calls. Beware of unknown callers claiming to be tech support. Hang up on suspicious calls to protect yourself from scammers using surprise tactics. Stay vigilant and skeptical of unsolicited communications. Research Reputable CompaniesConduct thorough research before engaging with a tech support provider. Visit official websites to find authorized phone numbers. Utilize caller ID to verify the authenticity of incoming "tech support" calls. Ensure interactions only with trusted entities. Guard Your Personal InformationNever share sensitive data like passwords or credit card numbers with tech support. Authentic providers will never ask for such information. Be cautious when disclosing personal or financial details to unknown individuals. Fortify with Updated Antivirus SoftwareProactively protect your system by keeping antivirus software up-to-date and performing regular scans. This approach thwarts attempts by scammers to implant malware. Strengthen your computer's defenses against cyber threats. Incorporating these expanded insights into your cybersecurity practices equips you with the knowledge and tools to thwart tech support scams. By nurturing a culture of caution, diligence, and continuous learning, you empower yourself to navigate the digital landscape with confidence and security. How Do You Tell if it’s a Tech Support Scammer? Knowing what legitimate tech companies do versus what scammers do is very important in avoiding becoming a victim of financial fraud. Be aware of requests for payment by cash reload card or wire transfer. These are both red flags that you’re dealing with a scammer. Also, remember that you can always proactively seek out tech support from a reputable company rather than waiting for someone to contact you. What To Do if You’ve Already Been Scammed? If you’ve already been scammed, the first thing you should do is call your credit card company. Explain the situation to the financial institution and ask them to cancel the charges. You should also change any passwords that you may have given out. Finally, be sure to run a scan of your computer with antivirus software to remove any malware that may have been installed. How Do You Report a Tech Support Scam? Reporting tech support scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is one way to help put a stop to these fraudulent activities. You can also report tech support scams to your state attorney general’s office. How Do You Recover from a Remote Access Scam? If you’ve been the victim of a remote access scam, recovering from the experience can be a challenge. The first thing you should do is change all of your passwords. You should also run a scan of your computer with antivirus software to remove any malware that may have been installed. Finally, be sure to contact your financial institution and explain the situation. They may be able to help you recover any money that was stolen from you. Conclusion Technology’s transformative power has changed how we live, but it has also created opportunities for scammers to take advantage of unsuspecting individuals through tech support scams. In today’s digital age, it’s essential to be aware of the different tactics these fraudsters use to safeguard both yourself and your computer. Understanding the mechanics of technical support scams and their operational tactics is paramount to safeguarding your personal and financial information. Recognizing that these scams often involve impersonating reputable tech companies like Microsoft or Apple and falsely claiming computer issues is a critical first step in avoiding falling victim. The rise of tech support scams, especially among vulnerable groups, highlights the critical need for awareness. As these scams become more sophisticated, it is essential to remain informed and to educate family and friends about the associated risks, particularly those affecting elderly adults. This article has offered insights into various common tech support scams, such as online ad and listing scams, phishing emails, suspicious pop-ups, and fraudulent websites. With this knowledge, you are now better prepared to identify the warning signs and safeguard yourself against these deceptive tactics. Staying proactive is key: initiate communication with tech support rather than responding to unsolicited calls, verify the legitimacy of companies, refrain from sharing personal information, and keep your antivirus software updated. These practices collectively serve as a robust defense against potential threats. In the unfortunate event that you do encounter a tech support scam, remember that taking swift action is crucial. Contact your financial institution, cancel unauthorized charges, change passwords, and use antivirus software to rid your system of any malware. By reporting tech support scams to authorities like the Federal Trade Commission and your state attorney general’s office, you contribute to the collective effort in curbing these fraudulent activities. Combining vigilance, education, and proactive measures, you can navigate the digital landscape with confidence, ensuring your safety and security online. Image: Envato Elements This article, "Tech Support Scams You Should Know About" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article