the initial clue is when you discover that someone has accessed one of your accounts. You’re focused on your details and cannot pinpoint the issue, but you made one mistake: reusing some passwords.
Even if a password is altered to include numbers and symbols, reusing the same base word can still provide an opening for criminals to gain access to your account.
Ethical “white hat” hacker Brandin Murtagh explains that information leaked through data breaches from sites like Dropbox and Tumblr, as well as cyberattacks, has been circulating on the internet for quite a while.
Hackers often obtain passwords and check if they work on other sites, a practice known as credential stuffing.
In some instances, hackers not only attempt the exact passwords from the compromised data but also try variants of those passwords to access accounts.
A Virgin Media O2 study found that four out of five people use the same or nearly identical passwords across their online accounts.
Using slightly modified passwords, such as Guardian1 instead of Guardian, creates an inviting opportunity for hackers to breach online accounts, warns Murtagh.
Collaborating with Virgin Media O2, he demonstrates to volunteers how effortlessly passwords can be traced with just an email address, often yielding results in mere minutes.
A spokesperson from Virgin Media O2 stated: “Human behavior is quite predictable. Criminals can utilize one password and then simply add a period or exclamation point at the end.”
What does fraud look like?
Criminals utilize a series of automated processes—scripts on computers that execute password variations to attempt access to additional accounts. This can occur on an industrial scale, according to Murtagh.
“It’s uncommon to be targeted as an individual; you’re typically caught in groups of thousands being targeted. These operations scale like a business,” he explains.
You may receive a warning message indicating a change to your email address or other account details.
What to do
Change the password to something distinct from the previous variants. Murtagh suggests focusing on the four most important accounts: banking, email, work-related, and mobile.
Utilize a password manager, often integrated into web browsers. For instance, Apple provides an iCloud Keychain, while Android offers Google Password Manager, both of which can generate and store complex passwords securely.
Implement two-factor authentication or multifactor authentication (2FA or MFA), which adds an additional layer of security by requiring two steps to log into the site.
Elon Musk has remarked on the loud and public nature of money’s role in American politics, pointing out that it’s typically a quieter affair.
“Without me, Trump would lose the election, the Democrats would control the House, and Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate. That kind of dissatisfaction,” he stated on his X social media platform amid an ongoing feud with Donald Trump.
When right-wing commentator Laura Rumer mentioned Capitol Hill Republicans debating their allies in the intraparty conflict, Musk hinted at the extent of his influence. “Ah, food for thought, as they consider this: Trump has 3.5 years left as president, but I’m over 40 years old…” Musk wrote on X.
US billionaires frequently wield significant influence in politics, using their wealth to sway government actions. However, few have been as overt and impactful as Musk in the past year, demonstrating the transactions and dysfunction within US governance.
The Trump Judicial War offers a united snapshot of American politics. As the world’s richest individual, Musk has played a notable role in a new governmental initiative targeting the dismantling of unfavorable agencies after financially backing his preferred candidates.
We find ourselves amidst a clash between a billionaire president and an even wealthier Republican donor, both vying over how to reduce aid to the impoverished. As one satirical website observed: “Yeah! These billionaires are arguing over how much money they can siphon from the poor.”
Fifteen years ago, the US Supreme Court determined that corporations and outside groups could spend unlimited amounts on elections, leading to a ruling by Conservative Justice Anthony Kennedy:
Since then, it has become clear that such wealth injections are undermining democracy. Musk’s actions exemplify the already soaring levels of money’s influence in politics, with reports indicating he spent nearly $300 million to support Trump in 2024. We are now witnessing a government dominated by billionaires.
“Fifteen years post-decision, we observe the full consequences of living in a society where not just elections are for sale, but the entire government structure is for sale,” he told Bluwork earlier this year.
Musk is not alone in this arena. During election cycles, ultra-wealthy donors frequently fund candidates of their choice. This has become the standard landscape in current American politics across both parties. Bernie Sanders challenged the Democrats at last year’s convention, stating, “Billionaires in both parties cannot buy elections, even primaries.”
Earlier this year, Musk invested heavily in Wisconsin’s judicial elections but lost to a Democratic opponent. He also donated a smaller amount to Republicans seeking to oppose a judge who resisted the Trump administration. Despite an inconsistent success record, his financial threats remain significant for both parties.
However, due to his unelected status, Musk has been somewhat restricted in his ability to block Trump’s key spending bill. Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” didn’t meet Musk’s stringent expectations for budget cuts or support, and once the administration ceased to fulfill his wishes, he publicly expressed his discontent.
This reflects the volatile alliance between Trump and Musk, which began with mutual affection and a central role for billionaires during Trump’s administration. The fact that Musk has such sway over the budget process is troubling. Trump indicated that Musk was aware of the bill’s contents, suggesting that the administration sought his approval before any public fallout.
Musk has adopted a bold approach to political spending, which is rare among the ultra-wealthy, who generally let their financial contributions do the talking. A charitable expert previously noted to the Guardian that Musk’s distinctiveness lies in his “permanent discretion as a mode of political engagement.”
Now, Musk rallies his followers on X to sway Congress and halt the bill. This could prove effective as Republican lawmakers grapple with the ideological pressures of a president and a mega-donor known for his vindictive tendencies.
Within right-wing media, these conflicts have created divisions. At Breitbart, one commentator remarked that Trump “pokes a finger in the eyes of his biggest donor and it never ends well.” Another piece in American Spectator claimed Musk hadn’t picked Trump. However, the Washington Examiner praised Musk’s opposition to the bill, suggesting that Trump’s budget plan “deserves to fail.”
“I don’t care if Elon disagrees with me, but he should have voiced that a few months ago,” Trump said as he wrapped up a series of critiques targeting Musk. The president also remarked that Musk had “lost his nerve” during a recent television interview.
So far, Republican figures have rallied behind Trump, with JD Vance proclaiming, “President Trump has done more than anyone else in my lifetime to gain the movement’s trust.”
If Musk ultimately falters, he could take his wealth and seek influence elsewhere. He has floated the idea of forming a third political party, a notion that has failed in the past, but his financial clout and forceful personality might invigorate this endeavor. The Democrats already rely heavily on wealthy benefactors and would welcome a potential shift from Musk. Democratic Representative Ro Khannaproposed that the party should reach out to him.
Khanna, who represents Silicon Valley and encourages the left to embrace economic populism, faced significant backlash from his party for his comments but stood by them.
“If Biden criticized a major supporter, Trump would have embraced him the next day,” he posted on X.
oThe NA shelf between the Alexander McQueen shoes, Louis Vuitton handbags and Versace heels in the police evidence room is an 18-inch machete and a serrated zombie knife. According to DCI Paul Curtis, the tools needed to achieve that are in addition to expensive fashion purchased along with serious fraud revenue.
“These are serious criminals, and for some reason they felt the need to have these to protect themselves,” he says. Another tool is “Sim Farms” purchased from Dark Web. This is used by scammers to send many text messages at once. Laptop stack. Mobile phone and payment card reader.
The corruption of tools and crime comes from raids led by dedicated card and payment crime unit (DCPCU). observer I visited this month. Taking responsibility for revealing payment fraud across the country and charging the perpetrators, London and a group of police officers from the metropolitan police are at the forefront of the fight against fraud.
DCI Paul Curtis says fraud is “underreported and causes great harm.”
The National Crime Agency (NCA) estimates that 40% of crimes are fraud-related. It places the amount lost to billions of people each year. Revealing the criminals behind payment fraud is a difficult struggle.
There are many problems. Criminals are often based overseas and take advantage of the constant advancement in technology that dupes victims. But one difficulty is simple and common. This means that people are so embarrassed that they fell for fraud that they can’t mention it to those around them. “It’s underreported and causes great harm,” Curtis says. “And the harm is not just financial.” Victims can lose their sense of self-confidence and create mental health issues, which can even lead to suicide.
“It’s really challenging to overcome people’s own embarrassment and shame,” he says. “It’s about getting comfort and communicating to people from that network around you, like from your family. [and] From your social network. And if people have that support, it can be very empowering to them [they can] They then report and engage with law enforcement. ”
Guardian Recently, we have revealed details of sophisticated mercenary tactics used by scammers in an elaborate business based in Tblisi, Georgia. Many were called again and again by criminals, and more and more persuaded to hand over money.
Curtis says criminals in fraud cases use similar methods to criminals who are sexual predators when grooming victims. “It works exactly the same as a scammer. They have to build confidence with the victim. They have to build that trust. So this may not be a quick process to become a victim of a scam,” he says.
Louis Vuitton’s bag was seized in the assault
Technological advances present a continuing problem with the DCPCU. Money can now travel across borders at a much faster rate than before, leaving it out of reach of law enforcement, and ads for fake investment vehicles are often praised for being supported by celebrities like those that happened in MoneySavingexpert’s Martin Lewis.
According to Bendaldson, managing director of economic crime for the UK Finance Association, a banking organization that funds the DCPCU, artificial intelligence can use patterns to create text, images or videos on existing data – the development of a generation AI that gives criminals new opportunities.
“I think it gives [criminals] There are a variety of features they didn’t have before, and… some of this technology is easy to use and easy to use.
“It’s much easier to do that [fraud] In a very convincing way [as] There are now a variety of capabilities available to criminals, changing the nature of the threat. Admission bar [with] That type of technology is always low,” Donaldson says.
Which of the UK’s finances and consumer groups this month? I wrote a joint letter to the British government They ask technology companies to “robust action” to offset the increased costs of fraud.
Donaldson says the majority of approved push payments (APP) scams involve training someone to voluntarily send money from a bank account. The decision announced in January to remove fact checkers and reduce censorship by Facebook raises concerns that it will make it even easier for criminals to exploit people, he says.
Police are seeking more effective user verification to prevent criminals from operating anonymously, and to share more information that can identify them.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, says it has begun mutual exchanges of fraudulent information. This allows banks to share information about fraud. This has deleted 20,000 accounts. Tiktok says each request for data from police will be investigated and evaluated before data is disclosed.
So, when scams swell and come to people through emails, texts, WhatsApp messages, and many social media channels, what can people do to stay safe?
Donaldson handles your personal information the same way you handle keys in your home. “Please do not hand over any aspect of your personal information unless you trust someone with the door key.”
Back in 2018, the former lieutenant governor of Sweden’s central bank made a prediction that by 2025, Sweden would likely become a cashless society.
Fast forward seven years later, and that prediction has largely come true. Cash transactions have significantly decreased, with cards being the most popular form of payment followed closely by Swish, a mobile payment system introduced in 2012. Other mobile phone payment services are also gaining popularity.
A recent report from the Central Bank indicates that Sweden and Norway have the lowest cash circulation as a percentage of GDP globally.
However, given the current geopolitical tensions and security concerns, the idea of a completely cashless society in Sweden may not be as appealing as it once seemed.
Authorities are now urging citizens to keep and use cash for civil defense purposes. The Ministry of Defense has distributed pamphlets to households, advising people to maintain a supply of cash in various denominations for emergency situations.
The Central Bank emphasized the importance of ensuring everyone can access money in times of crisis, shifting the focus from efficiency to safety and accessibility.
Recently, the government recommended that both public and private entities continue to accept cash, a suggestion that should be implemented by central banks.
As cash usage declines, central banks have been exploring their own digital currencies. However, the focus has now shifted to monitoring the global development of digital currency.
Norway, a neighboring Scandinavian country, has also been moving towards a cashless society, introducing mobile payment systems and imposing fines on retailers who do not accept cash. The government advises citizens to keep some cash on hand due to the vulnerability of digital payment solutions to cyberattacks.
Ultimately, in terms of emergency planning, having a balanced approach between digital and cash payments seems to be the way forward.
Feedback is the latest science and technology news of new scientists, the sidelines of the latest science and technology news. You can email Feedback@newscientist.com to send items you believe readers can be fascinated by feedback.
NDCS TBC
In the fun world of international climate negotiations at this point, everything is a bit quieter. The final big news was the COP29 conference in Azerbaijan in November. This was a huge success for a fossil fuel company promoting bystanders' products. Donald Trump then returned to the White House as President of the United States. He immediately ordered the country to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, which governs international climate action. Negotiators can make excuses that they are a bit shell shocked.
Nevertheless, the wheels of the climatic bureaucracy are crushed. This year, signers of the Paris contract must submit renewals Nationally determined contributions (NDC). This is essentially a list of promises to take action to address climate change. The deadline is February 10th, and most countries missed it. Climate strategist Ed King He's getting attention Newsletter “Three small hill countries with many sheep” (UK, New Zealand and Switzerland) managed to submit theirs, but “we will have to wait until the second half of 2025 for China, India and the EU ”.
No one is in a hurry. It will take time. It's not like half of Los Angeles got burned to the ground. Drink tea, lift your legs and live your best life. It will be done when it is complete.
V-word
Reporter Matthew Spark draws our attention to one experience David Burchwho discussed savings accounts online with virgin money and asked the chatbot: The chatbot responded: “Don't use such words. If you use that language, I won't be able to continue chatting.”
Online assistants appear to have been programmed to avoid certain words and phrases that were considered discriminatory or offensive, including “virgin.” After Birch I posted it angrily There were a few things about this on LinkedIn Media reporting and virgin money I apologized I've taken down the chatbot (it was an outdated model anyway).
This was yet another example of a recurring problem with online discussions. Context is important. It is certainly possible to use it to insult the string virgin, but it is also the name of a multinational corporation. Tools that simply filter specific strings are obligated to block many harmless messages, but also lack the obvious slur-independent abuse.
The issue dates back at least to 1996 when AOL refused to allow residents of Scunthorpe, UK, to create accounts. The town's name contains a string that many people find offensive.Scunthorpe problem“For such a technical disaster.
The “virgin” incident is just the latest example. The Wikipedia page for Scunthorpe questions is a treasure trove of careless toilet humor and, more importantly, surprises. Perhaps we can speculate on the problems faced by certain mushroom promoters with Japanese names, but why is the New Zealand town of Facatane, a similar context-blinded foul, similar? Ignore the reader to predict whether the situation has become blinded. control.
Readers are welcome to submit their stories, but feedback cannot guarantee that email filters will pass through them.
Is it finally happening?
January 26th, website Daily Express The newspaper issued a big warning:Yellowstone warning as Survercano “preparing for an explosion”“. Good gravy, we thought. Will the Super Orcano under Yellowstone stop that perennial rumble and eventually tear it and cover North America with ashes and suck the sun?
In a thorough examination, the story merely reported the existence of a short YouTube document. What happens if the Yellowstone volcano erupts tomorrow? It was released in March 2020 on a channel called What. Feedback may be felt and readers may agree. ExpressHeadline.
Going back further back in time: On July 23rd last year, there was a small hydrothermal explosion in the Biscuit Basin area of Yellowstone, essentially trapped steam escaped the ground and escaped. Queue the headlines”Is Yellowstone going to erupt?“This was answered to an affordable answer by geophysicists. Geophysicists only say that the volcano erupts when there is “enough magma and pressure that can be erupted,” and that “either state is in yellowstone He explained that it will only erupt if it is not present.
We tried to go back further, but after the 50th post with almost the same headline, the feedback brain broke. At this point there were so many stories that declared the Yellowstone eruption imminent. When we see it off on live TV, we don't know if we believe it or not.
Have you talked about feedback?
You can send stories to feedback by email at feedback@newscientist.com. Include your home address. This week and past feedback can be found on our website.
Hello, and welcome to TechScape. ELON MUSK NEWS has already been a few days. Look forward to our news. In my personal news, I deleted Instagram from my mobile phone and tried a month there. Instead of scrolling, I’m listening Shoe girl and Lady Gaga’s new music。
The advantage of American AI?
Last week, DeepSeek has developed a US stock market by suggesting that AI should not be so expensive. The proposal was very wonderful and wiped off about $ 600 million from NVIDIA’s market capitalization in one day. According to DeepSeek, I trained a flagship AI model. This is the top US app store, almost $ 5.6 million, almost equal to the performance of the US top model. (It has been discussed how accurate the numbers are.) For some time, there were no co-announcements of Stargate, a $ 500 million-dollar AI infrastructure project in the United States joining Oracle, Softbank, and Open. It seemed to be a huge overpire. I know what they are talking about. Same as META and Microsoft’s huge ear mark. Hey, large-scale spender: Investors want to see this cash flow in reverse.
In MANIA, META, and Microsoft, two high-tech gifts who bet on artificial intelligence have reported a quarterly revenue. Next year, we promise to build hundreds of billions of dollars and build artificial intelligence infrastructure. META promised $ 600 billion and Microsoft $ 800 billion.
Mark Zuckerberg, who was asked about DeepSeek on a phone call with an analyst, refused to suspect.
Satya nadella states: Microsoft has accepted DeepSeek so that Azure customers can be used.
The whole property will live or die with the advantage of American AI: Sam Altman. He responded to Deepseek Mania by announcing that Openai will release a new version of Chatgpt for free for free. Previously, chatbot paid users (some of them pay $ 200 a month) first access to the most advanced features. What Altman did not say was as much as much attention. He did not announce that Openai would reduce a huge amount of spending, and did not say that Stargate needed less cash. He is committed to a large gold game, like Zuckerberg and Nadera.
I will see Google’s profits tonight for Sundar Pichai’s opinion about what DeepSeek means for his company and its huge spending.
AI philosophy and corporate governance are on the stage
Photo: Guardian
I attended my premiere last Thursday Domer A new play set in an open-rit office office on the weekend when Sam Altman was fired as CEO. If I was incomplete and frustrated, it seemed motivated and interesting. We recommend that you look at it if possible.
The play occurs in two acts. First, Altman Analogue’s set is sitting on a long table with executives of other companies. As they talk about, Alina, the company’s safety and consistency…
what Some O2 customers Maybe I wanted it for Christmas It was the phone number I had always dreamed of. thing I had a habit of going the wrong way. Whether they got lucky is another question, as O2’s customer service is as hard to pin down as Lord Lucan.
J.D.‘s number was taken from her when a fraudster pretending to be her tricked O2 into transferring it to a SIM obtained from another provider.
This allows customers to receive a text containing a two-factor authentication code sent by their bank to verify that they are who they say they are. As a result, more than £4,500 was instantly stolen from her credit card. O2 explained that she was a victim of “.SIM exchange scam”, the criminal transfers your phone number to your SIM to receive calls and text messages from your bank.
They promised to block the stolen number and send a new card. Once this arrived, JD’s phone was back to life, but only for a few hours. Incredibly, the scammers were able to repurpose the number into their own SIM. O2 admitted that it failed to report the first SIM swap as fraud, which meant the second SIM swap was ignored without question.
JD said he was repeatedly told the fraud team would contact him, but never heard back. When she managed to catch them five days later, they solved the case.
She was told that compensation should not be paid because O2 had done nothing wrong. By then, she had gone nearly two weeks without a phone. Her bank refunded the stolen £4,500, but she was unable to access any of her bank accounts as she did not receive the security code needed to log in.
O2 claim it was a coincidence that the number was restored on the day I contacted them, but they admit they had poor communication and are offering me £350 as a gesture of goodwill.
when A.W.‘sMy 91-year-old mother lost her dependable pay-as-you-go (PAYG) number. O2 told her that the mother’s SIM did not match the number in question. AW sounded. “I was asked to wait 48 hours as I needed to fill out paperwork,” she wrote. “Six days later, I was told that my account could be compromised and that it would take 10 business days to fill out two more forms.
“Then 10 business days later I was transferred to the retention department and was told that nothing could be done because the number and SIM did not match.I was connected to the fraud department and reached a recorded message. But then it was disconnected.”
O2 determined that the only way they could restore their number was to switch their account from PAYG to a monthly contract. This was done, a new number was provided and AW canceled the contract within the cooling off period.
So O2 sprang into action. Not to resolve the complaint, but to demand and chase an unexplained fee of £9.35. Nothing was said about the £24 credit left on my old PAYG account. O2 told me that they tried contacting AW’s mother multiple times to resolve the issue. I asked when and how the company became aware that calls were being made to a number that had been unreachable for a long time.
It later claimed that the delay was due to the PAYG account not being fully set up. I asked why, since it had been working fine for years. What O2 meant was that customers setting up a monthly contract would need to provide all the details. This is irrelevant because the account in question is not on a monthly contract.
We belatedly determined that AW’s mother may have been a victim of SIM swap fraud, but we could not be sure as not enough information was kept on PAYG customers.
Now the company has offered to refund the credit, pay £110 in goodwill for the poor service and restore the lost number after 5 months of delay, but of course AW’s mother changed providers. did.
AF Alerted O2 after receiving unrequested PAC (Portability Authorization Code). This allows you to keep your old number even if you change service providers. O2 told him they needed 10 business days to investigate. His phone number then stopped working and was said to have been ported. More than two weeks later, he called O2 three times and visited the branch, but on his third attempt he was told the case was closed when the phone went unanswered.
O2 told me he was responsible because they tried to contact him three times just before the case ended. It was confirmed that he was also a victim of SIM swap fraud and his phone number was subsequently returned, but as O2 predictably declares, he will not be compensated as it was all his fault.
Telecommunications regulator Ofcom requires customers to verify their identity before porting their number. The company said it was monitoring complaints about SIM swap fraud involving O2, which ranks among the lowest in the world. Latest performance table Due to insufficient complaint handling.
“We have discussed the steps they are taking to protect their customers,” the document said, adding: “It is important that all telecommunications providers protect their customers and that they have no evidence of widespread harm.” “We have shown that we will not hesitate to take action if we find out.” as needed. ”
Email your.problems@observer.co.uk. Include your address and phone number. Submission and publication are subject to our Terms of Use
When it comes to buying something you love, planning ahead is key. Take the time to carefully consider and prepare before making a purchase, especially when buying something second-hand. Monica Marriott Mills, a TikTok user who shares insights on vintage clothing styles, suggests starting by creating a detailed list for each person you need to buy gifts for.
“I create a profile for each person, noting their preferences, favorite colors, and any items they have mentioned wanting, like a photo frame for their wedding anniversary,” she explains. “By jotting down this information on your phone, you can stay focused while shopping at thrift stores or antique shops.”
Marriott Mills, like many others her age, buys 50% of her Christmas presents second-hand. According to a report from the resale app Vinted, more than half of people under 45 buy used items at least once a month, compared to 43% of all consumers.
If you’re short on time, online second-hand marketplaces like eBay, Vinted, and Vestiaire Collective are convenient options to explore. You can browse and shop from the comfort of your own home.
Shopping for second-hand items can potentially allow you to purchase gifts that may have been out of reach if bought new. For example, a beginner in sewing might appreciate a sewing machine. While John Lewis sewing machines start from £135 when new, you can find similar working models on eBay starting at just £10 through bidding or £45.99 for an instant purchase, complete with a box.
Please Wake Up Early
Shoppers at the Red Brick Market in Liverpool, England. Keep an eye out for bargains in charity shops and markets. Photo: Chris Hellier/Alamy
If you know someone is selling household items or electronics, consider checking charity shops, flea markets, antique stores, car boot sales, and online marketplaces for hidden gems.
Marriott Mills suggests researching the delivery schedules of used furniture stores as a strategy to score great deals. “The second-hand furniture store from British Heart Foundation in my area opens on Tuesdays, so I try to visit on that day,” she shares.
“Being one of the first shoppers can be advantageous, but consider going early on Saturdays or during your lunch break.” If you can’t shop in person, many of these stores have online platforms as well.
Also Look for Children’s Gifts
eBay, Vinted, and Facebook Marketplace are excellent sources for finding gently used toys that make perfect gifts for children. Some items are even new and still in their packaging.
For example, LOL dolls typically cost around £25 each when new, but you can find bundles of dolls in good condition on eBay for as low as £4. If you’re looking for larger items like playhouses or kitchens, check out Facebook Marketplace where prices range from £10 for brand new items that normally cost between £60 and £200.
However, be mindful of the seller’s location when purchasing larger items, as they may only be available for local pickup. Shipping costs could offset any savings you make.
Designer Goods Search Filter
“You’ll find a plethora of designer items on Vinted and Depop,” Marriott Mills suggests. “Sometimes, it’s hard to tell if a gift is brand new or gently used.”
You can refine your search by specifying “New with Tags” in the search bar to find brand new items. For instance, Ralph Lauren beanies typically cost between £80 and £110 when new, but you can snag one in like-new condition on Vinted for as low as £25.
Check for Safety
When purchasing a used toy, it’s important to check for loose parts or signs of damage. Photo: PhotoAlto/Alamy
For electronics and lighting products, try to test them out before purchasing to ensure they are safe and functional. Luke Osborne, Deputy Technical Director at Electrical Safety First, recommends performing checks like verifying the presence of a genuine safety certification label on the product.
“Also, check if the product comes with a 3-pin UK plug containing a fuse. Foreign plugs and adapters may not offer the same level of protection as a 3-pin plug,” he adds.
When buying a used toy, inspect for loose or damaged parts, wear and tear, and signs of damage. While many charity shops sell battery-operated and electric toys, they may not always be tested for safety. Watch out for obvious signs of damage, such as battery leakage, that could pose a safety hazard. If you’re satisfied with the item, check the return policy before making a purchase and test it out once you get home. Keep your receipt handy, as returns are typically allowed within 28 days.
Shopping online from platforms like Vinted or eBay requires sellers to disclose the working condition of the toy. If the item arrives and doesn’t function as described, buyers are usually protected by a warranty that offers a refund.
Parents can refer to a used toy buying guide to ensure the safety of toys, as some older toys may contain traces of harmful chemicals like chromium, selenium, and lead. Look out for recalled toys, which can often be identified through a quick online search. Safety and quality marks like the Lion Mark and CE Mark indicate compliance with safety standards.
It’s crucial to sanitize toys before gifting them. Soft toys can be washed in the washing machine, while plastic and wooden toys can be cleaned with soap and water.
Beware of Scams
Shopping online comes with risks of potential scams, but there are precautions you can take to avoid falling victim. “Before making a purchase, always check reviews,” recommends Marriott Mills. Be cautious if a seller has few reviews or if the reviews are negative. Positive reviews can provide assurance of a legitimate transaction. For designer items, consider using authentication websites like Legit Grail.
Look out for sellers who include the original receipt with the item, as this can help verify authenticity. Familiarize yourself with hallmarks and engravings to authenticate jewelry or tableware. “I gave my mom a silver bracelet stamped with 925. I knew it was genuine,” says Marriott Mills. “Don’t hesitate to double-check. You can even Google it right there in the store or at an antique shop.” Depop, eBay, and Vinted offer buyer protection guarantees, ensuring a refund if the item significantly differs from the description.
Present Them Well
Cardboard gift boxes make any gift look great. Photo: Purestock/Alamy
While many second-hand gifts may not come in their original packaging, you can present them beautifully with some extra care and thoughtful wrapping. Cardboard gift boxes are a versatile option to elevate the presentation of your gifts. Additionally, consider repurposing items you have at home, such as a shoebox for a makeshift basket or an old perfume box for stocking stuffers.
MIles, a 37-year-old NHS doctor from London, has been trying to convince friends to buy cryptocurrencies for years. In recent weeks, the “Trump pump” on crypto prices has made them envious. “They watched in frustration as my gamble paid off,” he says.
Despite cashing out around £600,000 to buy a house earlier this year, Miles’ crypto portfolio is now worth £2.3 million. Miles, who invested £4,000 in Bitcoin in 2012, said: ‘It’s defined my life. My pot fluctuates by hundreds of thousands every day and I’ve been through periods of volatility over the years.” he says.
A number of Miles told the Guardian why they became private investors in cryptocurrencies (regular people who buy digital blockchain currencies) and how their investments have paid off over time. I was one of ten people.
Investors see Donald Trump’s return to the White House as a harbinger of a crypto-friendly climate. Photo: Mark Humphrey/AP
Bitcoin’s price has fallen to $97,000 (76,500 sterling) and hit a new all-time high. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has revealed that 12% of UK adults own cryptocurrencies.
The majority of respondents said they entered the crypto market within the past four years, with some using the extra funds they saved during the coronavirus lockdown to jumpstart their previous blockchain currency acquisition process. Some people also purchased coins via user-friendly apps and platforms.
A large number of middle-class respondents lost faith in the existing system and turned to cryptocurrencies in the hope that it would help them achieve life goals such as having children, buying a home, and traveling. He said that he aimed at
Julian, a 57-year-old draftsman, homeowner, and father of four from Nottingham, was one of several respondents who said they bought Bitcoin in anticipation of a spike in inflation.
Since November, I have been using my boss’s car for work and after crossing the Dartford junction of the M25 for the first time, I attempted to pay the Dart toll. The website clearly stated, “there are no crossing fees payable.”
I assumed that this meant my boss had the car registered to his Dart account, so I did not add it to my account.
Three months went by, and I started receiving penalty charge notices (PCNs). I currently have 23 PCNs totaling £2,230 for crossings between November 2023 and February 2024. I appealed, but all were rejected.
If the first PCN had been sent sooner, I would have accepted my mistake and paid the fee. However, I do not agree with the rest and it seems like a consequence of a management failure. I have since learned of others facing the same struggle. Can I be of assistance?
L.S., Tonbridge
In the weeks following our previous coverage of the Dart fee issue, we have received numerous letters from frustrated users, and yours is one of the most severe cases.
It seems that the chaos in the payment system resulted from a new company, Conduent, taking over in July.
Reports indicate that thousands of fines have been imposed, affecting over 2,500 vehicles per operator.
Figures obtained by Fleet News through a Freedom of Information request in May revealed a 50% increase in PCNs issued for non-payment.
We reached out to National Highways, who manage the crossing, regarding your case. They have agreed to waive the notices if you pay the £65 in crossing charges owed. The company also apologized for any inconvenience caused and stated they have improved their procedures to prevent similar issues in the future.
Always make sure to obtain and keep receipts for all payments when using a crossing to avoid issues.
It’s best to double-check and not assume everything is fine if you encounter an error message when paying for your trip.
If you have received a PCN, please contact the Dart Rate Enforcement Team at 0300 1313 120.
Letters are appreciated, but we are unable to respond individually. Please reach out to us at consumer.champions@theguardian.com or send correspondence to Consumer Champions, Money, the Guardian, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Kindly provide a daytime telephone number where you can be reached. Submission and publication of letters are subject to our terms and conditions.
Kneeling in the snow outside the King’s house with a man named Harald and an electric car, imitating a heartthrob from the 1980s is quite an unconventional situation that definitely needs some explanation.
The King of Norway is also named Harald, but the man with me outside the monarch’s mansion in Stavanger is not a king. I’m here to explore Norway’s prominence in adopting electric cars as a solution to combat CO2 emissions from transportation. Norway has emerged as a global leader in this field with a significant percentage of electric cars being sold in recent years.
On the other hand, the UK has extended its ban on new petrol and diesel cars, while the situation in the EU regarding electric car sales remains below par. Stavanger, Norway’s third-largest city, stands out as an oil hub that has made significant strides towards zero-emission transport through initiatives like electric buses and vehicles.
The man accompanying me, Harald Nils Rostvik, an architect and urban planning professor, has been a driving force behind Norway’s electric vehicle revolution for decades. His pioneering efforts date back to the introduction of one of Norway’s first electric cars in 1989, marking the beginning of a journey towards sustainable transportation.
IIn 1983, former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland spearheaded the Brundtland Commission, which laid the foundation for sustainable development and environmental awareness. Rostvik’s advocacy for electric vehicles and civil disobedience campaigns with environmental activists like Morten Halkett and Mags Furholmen, members of the iconic pop group a-ha, reshaped the narrative around electric cars in Norway.
Their efforts, including importing one of the country’s first electric cars, paved the way for a shift towards greener transportation methods. Despite facing challenges and fines for their activism, their perseverance and innovative spirit contributed to Norway’s evolving landscape of electric mobility.
(from left) Morten Halkett, Harald Nils Rostvik, Frederik Hauge, Mags Furholmen.
The legacy of their early advocacy continues to shape Norway’s EV landscape, with ambitious goals of achieving 100% electric car sales by next year. The collaborative efforts of individuals like Rostvik and prominent figures like Halkett have been instrumental in driving Norway towards a sustainable future of zero-emission transport.
The technology industry is one of the most valuable sectors globally, heavily relying on the unpaid efforts of a small number of enthusiasts.
This reliance is both a boon and a bane for open-source software projects, which are freely available for public use. Some of these projects efficiently solve simple problems, saving unnecessary repetition of work. Others tackle complex tasks that push boundaries.
This dependency is not a secret. In August 2020, webcomic xkcd highlighted this issue by portraying modern digital infrastructure as a delicate tower depending on a project maintained by a random person in Nebraska since 2003.
Moreover, a satirical tweet by Druthers Haver humorously emphasized the importance of unsung heroes like Ronald, who maintains critical technical tools like the UNIX tool called “Rank.”
The most crucial figures in technology are a mix of well-known personalities like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, as well as lesser-known individuals like Ronald, the caretaker of “Rank,” a vital tool that manages calculations for machines worldwide.
These anecdotes reflect reality. A software developer faced a crisis in 2016 when his left-pad code, included in numerous programs, unintentionally caused widespread failures due to a simple name dispute.
Similarly, OpenSSL, a widely used encryption tool, had a severe bug unnoticed for years, compromising online security. The story repeated with Log4j seven years later.
While distributing free software offers many benefits, sustaining its development poses challenges. Various models like paid support and corporate funding have been attempted, with mixed success.
Recently, projects like tea.xyz attempted to reward open-source contributors with crypto tokens but inadvertently attracted spam and low-quality contributions, illustrating the need for better solutions.
The Curious Case of $100
Apple receives its first fine from the EU. Photo: Donisle/Alamy
Apple recently faced a significant fine from the EU, underscoring the regulatory scrutiny on tech giants abusing their market dominance.
The substantial fine indicated the EU’s commitment to curbing anticompetitive behaviors that harm consumers, particularly in the online services sector.
Apple’s hidden rules negatively impacted consumers, leading to higher costs and limited choices in music streaming services.
This incident sheds light on the complex relationships between tech companies, regulators, and consumers, emphasizing the need for fair competition and consumer protection.
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