SPECIAL REPORT: Outwit Scams While Protecting Your Money

Venmo Urged To Protect Users From Scams Again | 10 States Where Fraud Is Rampant. Is Yours on the List? | QR Code Scams: What To Know Before You Scan That Little Box Created for {EMAIL} | [Web Version]( December 29, 2023 CONNECT WITH KIPLINGER  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [X]( [Youtube]( [Instagram]( Kiplinger Today [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [SHARE]( [] Top Story [] [Venmo Urged To Protect Users From Scams — Again]( [Venmo Urged To Protect Users From Scams Again]( (Getty Images) Using PayPal and Venmo makes exchanging money so easy, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t drawbacks. Venmo scams do exist, and they’ve become such a threat, members of the Senate Banking Committee are pushing the company’s CEO to change its policies. [Here’s what to know about the dangers associated with cash apps](. [] Do You Live Here? [] [10 States Where Fraud Is Rampant. Is Yours on the List?]( [10 States Where Fraud Is Rampant. Is Yours on the List?]( (Getty Images) When a state ranks high in a category, you hope it’s for something positive: affordability, education quality, and overall happiness. Unfortunately, for people in these states, they’re more vulnerable to identity theft and fraud. If one of your states is on this list, [here are things you can do to protect yourself](. [Do You Know Your Net Worth?]( See what retirement might look like for you and get a feel for what our award-winning free dashboard can do. Want a more accurate assessment? [READ MORE]( ADVERTISEMENT [] Safe Spending [] [QR Code Scams: What To Know Before You Scan That Little Box]( [QR Code Scams: What To Know Before You Scan That Little Box]( (Getty Images) Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, QR codes are everywhere. While they may be convenient for businesses, they can be annoying for consumers and worse, they can make you vulnerable to scams. Luckily, there are [warning signs a QR code isn’t worth scanning](. [] Personal Finance [] [Scammers Are Pretending to Be From Your Utility Company. Here's How To Shut Them Down]( [Scammers Are Pretending to Be From Your Utility Company. Here's How To Shut Them Down]( (Getty Images) Everyone needs heat and electricity to withstand the colder months, which is precisely why the winter is a prime time for fraudsters to pose as your utility company and threaten to cut your services. It’s a scary notion when it’s below freezing, so many people don’t ask the right questions. If you’re being contacted by your utility company, [here’s what to know](. [] Financial Planning [] [Phone Scams: Five You Need to Beware Of Now]( It’s not just Gen Z that’s avoiding picking up the phone now. The rise in spam calls (a study shows 14 per month on average for Americans) means everyone is more reluctant to answer the phone for an unknown number these days. But while some spam calls are a mere nuisance, many aim to deceive you for financial gain. [Read More]( [Monitor Your Retirement Investments in Real-Time]( Compare scenarios to see what impact today’s changes could have on your retirement tomorrow. [READ MORE]( ADVERTISEMENT [] In Case You Missed It [] [Expert Tips To Avoid Identity Theft]( Our lives are moving further online, which makes many things — shopping, paying bills, contacting friends — simpler and more convenient. But it’s also made us increasingly vulnerable to identity theft, a terrifying but all-too-real threat these days. Kiplinger spoke with an expert to learn everything people need to know about avoiding identity theft and keeping their information secure. [Read More]( ABOUT KIPLINGER When we write about money, we get it right. So the decisions you make with your dollars are also right. Kiplinger is a trusted provider of unbiased financial advice, objective business and economic forecasts, and practical help to millions of business professionals, investors, and individuals seeking to make more profitable decisions with their money. Our [flagship publications]( include [Kiplinger Personal Finance]( magazine, [The Kiplinger Letter]( [The Kiplinger Tax Letter]( [Kiplinger Retirement Report]( and [Kiplinger Investing for Income.]( All are regarded as the leading publications in their respective fields. Every day, millions of readers rely on our [free e-newsletters]( for help on everything from getting the best rate on a mortgage or car loan, to managing their businesses in an uncertain world, avoiding an IRS audit, building wealth for a secure retirement, or investing wisely in any kind of market. Now it’s your turn to reap all the rewards Kiplinger has to offer. Visit [Kiplinger.com](, your gateway to all of the above and much more. Check in any time for our latest advice on how to make more money, and keep more of the money you make. Stay right on the money, with Kiplinger. [Kiplinger]( [Sign Up]( | [Print Publications]( | [Unsubscribe]( [Privacy Policy]( | [Cookies Policy]( | [Terms and Conditions]( CONTACT US: [FEEDBACK](mailto:kiplingertoday@smartbrief.com) | [ADVERTISE]( [Future]( Future US LLC © Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10036