The IRS Won't Text You, and Other Tax Scams to Avoid

January 19, 2023

Tax season is officially underway, and unfortunately, that means that the scammers are out in force. If you fall prey to their schemes, you may end up in deeper financial woes than if you owed the federal government on April 15th. In our top story, Cory goes over some of the most common tax scams out there. He gives you some great tips, such as that the IRS will not send you text messages, and goes over the agency’s official communication methods with taxpayers. He also lets you know how to report an IRS scam to the feds if you spot one.

Other Highlights:

• A Tesla engineer testified that the company staged a 2016 self-driving car video.
• Apple brings back the original HomePod.
• Chevy’s hybrid electric Corvette still packs the power you crave.
• …and more!

— Danny

It’s time to round up your 1099, W2s, or other forms to see if you owe Uncle Sam or are getting a big fat refund. That also means tax scams will be everywhere. The IRS will never text you, and even though criminals will try sending texts, emails, and more, don’t fall for it. Read More »

Western Razor Co's premium razors are made with high-quality materials that are designed to give you a smooth, and comfortable shave every time. Say goodbye to your gross disposable razors and start saving up to $110 every year using a better, longer-lasting razor. Plus, they are 100% made in the U.S.A.Check them out!

There are lots of different wrist-wearables out there, from cheap and simple fitness trackers that do little more than count your steps to full-on smartwatches that can make phone calls and program your workouts. Put simply, with so many different options touting different features it can be hard to know what kind of device is right for you. Here’s how to decide. Read More »

The electric bike market is getting more crowded by the day, and many options look the same, which is why I was excited to try the new RadTrike. A three-wheeled ebike from Rad Power Bikes that promises a stable, comfortable, yet enjoyable ride. Read More »

Wordle was just too easy, wasn’t it? You probably left that behind and moved on to Quordle, the true “hard mode” of the word-guessing game format. But now you’re stuck and so close to failing. Don’t worry, we’re here to help with a hint—and if you really need it, today’s Quordle Answers. Read More »

Are you a huge fan of Wordle and absolutely stuck today? Let me guess; you’re hanging out on guess four or five and feeling the pressure. We get it entirely: nothing feels worse than losing your streak. If you’re not ready to outright cheat, we have you covered with hints and today’s Wordle answer. Read More »

Warming up your car before you take off down the road is an excellent way to stay warm. But you don’t always have that option when you need to get out and go. Another great option is to install a heated seat cushion. This model by HealthMate sits right on top of your either of your car’s front seats. It features a heating element that draws power through the car’s 12V outlet. It heats up to about 114 degrees. It has a nice plush finish and is half an inch thick for maximum lumbar support.

Back in 2016, Tesla published a video promoting the “Full Self-Driving” capabilities of its vehicles. But in a recent testimony, Tesla’s director of Autopilot software claims that this promotional video was staged. Tesla simply preprogrammed a route for the car, and humans intervened whenever things got dicey. Read More »

Thanks to their convenient design, cordless vacuums are a popular alternative to bulky traditional vacuums. But you should avoid cheap cordless vacuums. They aren’t great at cleaning floors, and when all is said and done, a corded vacuum is a more cost-effective and long-term investment. Read More »

Two years after unceremoniously ditching the original HomePod, Apple is backtracking. The company just revealed its second-gen HomePod, a smart speaker that looks identical to its predecessor. It even carries the same $299 price tag! But this “new” speaker offers a few improvements that could entice you. Read More »

We knew a hybrid electric Chevrolet Corvette was coming this year, and now it’s officially here. The new 2024 Chevy Corvette E-Ray is not only the fastest Vette yet, but it packs all-wheel drive and pairs its powerful V8 engine with electrified motors in the front. Read More »

Apple may never release a pair of augmented reality glasses. So reports Mark Gurman of Bloomberg this week. Gurman often delivers Apple rumors—with a mixed track record of accuracy. According to Gurman, technical challenges to creating affordable AR glasses are too much for the computer giant. Read More »

Now that Stadia is dead and gone, Google is offering a self-service tool that enables Bluetooth functionality on Stadia controllers. But this self-service tool will disappear after December 31st, 2023. If you want to save your Stadia controller from a landfill, you should enable Bluetooth mode today. Read More »

Having an organized home feels fantastic. Stress levels seem to drop when your space is clutter-free, and everything is in the right place. But when our demanding life takes priority, that house can quickly become disorganized. Read More »

Samsung will reveal the Galaxy S23 series on February 1. You can already reserve them today, and they will almost certainly be some of the best smartphones once they are available. This year, we’re hoping the regular and Plus models won’t be yet another iterative improvement. Read More »

We’ve all done it. We had the best of intentions to fold our clothes as soon as they came out of the dryer, but it just didn’t happen. Now, two days later, you’ve got a wrinkled jumble of clothing. But before you pull out your iron, you might want to grab some ice. Read More »

Everyone knows the importance of cleaning out their dryer’s lint trap. Keeping it clean can help prevent house and apartment fires; people usually toss their dryer lint into the trash. But if you’ve got plants, you might want to hold onto them. Read More »

Sure, a lot of people are participating in Dry January, but if you’re not—or if you’re doing more of a moist January—there’s an unmissable Amazon deal. You can get an electric wine opener for 60% off right now! Read More »