5 New Netflix Original Movies to Watch This February
Don’t Be Tricked by This “Can You Hear Me?” Robo-Call Scam
Thanks to spoofed phone numbers, automated dialing software, and shaky telemarketing ethics, consumers can find it difficult to avoid invasive telephone solicitations. Now, a new, potentially dangerous robo-call scam is said to be more than just a nuisance: It might actually cost you money.
According to USA Today, consumers who pick up the phone and are greeted with a voice asking, “Can you hear me?” are potential victims of a phishing scheme in which their response of “Yes” might be recorded and later used to affirm purchases or contracts that they never agreed to. If you dispute the bill, scammers might use the recorded “Yes” as “proof” you agreed to a deal and threaten you with collection or legal action. While a voice recording is unlikely to stand up in court (and is illegal without the consent of both parties in some states), the vague threat of litigation might be enough to cause some victims to cave in.
The Better Business Bureau first warned of the calls in October 2016. While there doesn’t appear to be a documented case of fraudulent charges being levied against a consumer in this manner to date, it’s better to be safe than sorry: The BBB advises hanging up without saying anything and then carefully monitoring your credit card accounts for any suspicious charges.
[h/t USA Today]
January 30, 2017 – 11:45am
Newsletter Item for (91374): Why Are McDonald’s McFlurry Machines Always Down?
Why Are McDonald’s McFlurry Machines Always Down?
Today’s Big Question: Why are McDonald’s McFlurry machines always down?
Newsletter Item for (91538): 11 Timeless Entertaining Tips From ‘Joy of Cooking’
11 Timeless Entertaining Tips From Joy of Cooking
In addition to its classic recipes, Irma Rombauer’s beloved cookbook Joy of Cooking contains sage advice on the art of entertaining. We mined the 75th anniversary edition for 11 timeless nuggets of hosting wisdom.
Newsletter Item for (83852): How Much Weight Can a Shopping Cart Really Hold?
How Much Weight Can a Shopping Cart Really Hold?
How much weight can a shopping cart really hold?
Newsletter Item for (91594): There’s a Wire Above Manhattan That You’ve Probably Never Noticed
There’s a Wire Above Manhattan That You’ve Probably Never Noticed
There’s an 18-mile-long wire strung above Manhattan that you’ve probably never noticed.
Newsletter Item for (91547): 7 Body Language Interview Mistakes You Might Be Making
A hiring manager won’t notice your sterling resume if they’re turned off by a weak handshake or poor eye contact. Here are 7 body language mistakes you might be making at a job interview.
Newsletter Item for (91549): Your Morning Cup of Coffee Is a Chemistry Lesson in Disguise
Your Morning Cup of Coffee Is a Chemistry Lesson in Disguise
You have chemistry to thank for coffee’s mouth-watering aroma and the mesmerizing way the milk swirls when you add it. Watch a scientific analysis of what happens when you pour yourself a cup of joe.
Jack’s Email HACKED! Secret Burger Leaks, What’s Next?
Sponsored by Jack in the Box
In a breaking development, it appears that an elite group of cyber criminals have hacked Jack Box, founder of Jack in the Box restaurants. Details are still emerging, but the hackers are releasing compromising emails from Jack’s private inbox – with the most momentous revelation being that Jack has a new burger in the works, something referenced as the ‘Triple Bacon Buttery Jack’.
The hackers, a group simply known as JackiLeaks, first made the leak public by taking over a popular social video to announce they have hacked Jack’s emails and found the secret recipe for the new burger along with embarrassing photos from Jack Box’s cell phone.
The contents of Jack’s inbox are trickling out on Jackileaks.com and on the @jackileaks Twitter account.
When asked to comment, Jack Box was silent.
Beyond the secret recipe to his latest burger masterpiece, the Triple Bacon Buttery Jack, with crispy bacon strips, creamy bacon mayo, and all topped off with melty bacon butter, the hacker masterminds have teased the press about other private messages from Jack’s email. Several unsubstantiated rumors are swirling about a romance novel written by Jack, as well as an entire photo album of “definitely not incriminating” photos.
What other juicy details will be released from Jack’s inbox? Only time will tell.
January 30, 2017 – 10:30am
Amazon Is Running Some Can’t-Miss Monday Deals
As a recurring feature, our team combs the Web and shares some amazing Amazon deals we’ve turned up. Here’s what caught our eye today, January 30.
Mental Floss has affiliate relationships with certain retailers, including Amazon, and may receive a small percentage of any sale. But we only get commission on items you buy and don’t return, so we’re only happy if you’re happy. Good luck deal hunting!
GADGETS, TOYS, AND MEDIA
NETGEAR AC750 WiFi Range Extender (EX3700-100NAS) for $39.99 (list price $44.99)
Munchkin Deluxe for $22.49 (list price $29.99)
Snap Circuits Snap Circuit Beginner Electronic Discovery Kit for $19.01 (list price $24.99)
Baby Einstein Play Gym, Nautical Friends for $55.99 (list price $69.99)
Aurora World 12″ Emperor Mama And Baby Penguin for $11.66 (list price $15.99)
Uno Card Game for $4.99 (list price $12.42)
Canon SX530 HS 9779B001 PowerShot for $279.00 (list price $379.00)
LEGO City Police Police Station 60141 Building Kit for $86.99 (list price $99.99)
LEGO STAR WARS AT-ST Walker 75153 for $31.00 (list price $39.99)
LEGO Star Wars Wookiee Gunship 75129 for $7.93 (list price $9.99)
KITCHEN
Gotham Steel Tastic Bundle 7 Piece Set Titanium Ceramic Pan, Copper for $79.99 (list price $199.99)
Hamilton Beach Electric Kettle, Cordless 1.8-Liter, Black (K6080A) for $15.00 (list price $22.99)
Oster TSSTTVPZDS Convection Oven with Dedicated Pizza Drawer, Silver for $66.40 (list price $99.99)
Oster Cordless Electric Wine Bottle Opener with Foil Cutter, FFP for $15.95 (list price $19.99)
KitchenAid KSM150PSBU Artisan Series 5-Qt. Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield – Cobalt Blue for $273.02
Calphalon Classic Nonstick Sauce Pan with Cover, 2.5-Quart, Grey for $32.32 (list price $44.99)
Thermos Stainless King 24 Ounce Drink Bottle, Stainless Steel for $27.84 (list price $32.99)
FoodSaver V3240 Vacuum Sealing System with Starter Kit for $84.99 (list price $106.24)
Contigo Autoseal Fit Trainer, 20-Ounce, Dazzling Blue for $15.99 (list price $19.99)
Hamilton Beach FlexBrew 49983A Single Serve / Full Pot Coffee Maker for $64.56 (list price $75.05)
Tovolo Sphere Ice Molds – Set of 2 for $7.26 (list price $11.00)
Calphalon 10 Piece Classic Nonstick Cookware Set, Grey for $161.33 (list price $199.99)
Sommelier Rose Wood Professional Corkscrew by True for $6.97 (list price $12.00)
Wilton 6 in. Cast Iron Skillet for $4.04 (list price $11.99)
Oster Simple Blend 100 10-Speed Blender with Blend and Go Cup, Black for $19.99 (list price $24.99)
Stella Artois Chalice Glass, 33 cl for $5.35 (list price $10.99)
Soma Sustainable Carafe & Plant-Based Water Filter for $35.99 (list price $49.99)
Joyce Chen 21-9972, Classic Series Carbon Steel Wok Set, 4-Piece for $30.41 (list price $34.25)
Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Coffeemaker, Black, SK13 for $19.99 (list price $24.99)
Nutri Ninja Ninja Blender Duo with Auto-iQ (BL642) for $167.99 (list price $199.99)
Oster DuraCeramic Panini Maker and Grill for $23.99 (list price $39.99)
HOME
Beurer Daylight Lamp, with Natural Sunlight Simulation for $47.20 (list price $59.63)
Seville Classics Expandable Closet Organizer System for $99.99 (list price $149.99)
Winsome Wood Beechwood End/Accent Table, Espresso for $54.97 (list price $75.00)
Cosco Dorel Industries Lightweight Folding Steel Step Stool, Two Step for $19.88 (list price $29.99)
Hoover FH11300PC Spotless Portable Carpet & Upholstery Spot Cleaner for $88.34 (list price $99.99)
ClosetMaid 5432 Cubeicals Fabric Drawer, Red for $4.16 (list price $5.99)
Whitmor Extra-Wide Portable Clothes Storage Closet / Wardrobe, White for $27.54 (list price $53.18)
Holmes Lil’ Blizzard 8-Inch Oscillating Table Fan for $16.99 (list price $19.99)
Pinzon 300-Thread-Count Percale Sheet Set – Queen, White for $33.14 (list price $38.99)
Hoover FH50150 Carpet Basics Power Scrub Deluxe Carpet Cleaner for $129.99 (list price $219.99)
Star Wars Saga Vader Shaped Bath Rug for $18.38 (list price $19.99)
Beatrice Home Fashions Medallion Chenille Bedspread, King, Ivory for $72.17 (list price $89.99)
Bedford Home 2 Piece Memory Foam Shag Bath Mat – White for $34.41 (list price $44.99)
Hosley Metal Bowl, 13-Inch, Brown for $8.29 (list price $24.99)
BONECO/Air-O-Swiss Warm or Cool Mist Ultrasonic Humidifier 7147 for $124.99 (list price $169.99)
Pinzon Seersucker Duvet Cover Set – King, Dusty Blue for $70.54 (list price $82.99)
HEALTH AND BEAUTY
Gillette Fusion Manual Men’s Razor Blade Refills, 12 Count for $34.89 (list price $47.99)
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion, 18 Fl. Oz for $8.46 (list price $9.41)
Majestic Pure Lavender Essential Oil, Therapeutic Grade, 4 fl. Oz for $13.95 (list price $18.50)
Dermal Korea Collagen Essence Full Face Facial Mask Sheet, 16 Combo Pack for $8.99
Amopé Pedi Perfect Electronic Foot File with Diamond Crystals for $28.21 (list price $44.99)
Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge (2 sponges in each pack) for $8.24 (list price $10.99)
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser, 12 Ounce for $10.39
O’Keeffe’s Working Hands Hand Cream, 3.4 oz., Jar for $7.65
Dove Beauty Bar, White 4 oz, 14 bar for $13.57 (list price $13.85)
Colgate Slim Soft Charcoal Toothbrush (Pack of 3) Ultra Soft for $4.30
Neutrogena T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo Original Formula, 16 Fl. Oz for $11.64 (list price $16.39)
Colgate Wisp Portable Mini-Brush Max Fresh, Peppermint, 24 Count for $3.99 (list price $7.99)
Kikkerland Hand and Foot Nail Clippers Set, Silver for $5.00
Kikkerland Woodlands Dental Floss (Orange Fox) for $9.99
Fred ATOMIC TRIMMER Nose & Ear Hair Trimmer for $13.80 (list price $20.00)
Johnson’s Buddies No More Tangles Detangler, 10 Fl. Oz for $7.84 (list price $10.12)
St. Ives Even & Bright Face Scrub, Pink Lemon and Mandarin Orange 6 oz for $2.99 (list price $4.99)
Dove Men+Care 2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner, Anti Dandruff 12 Ounce for $3.97 (list price $5.39)
AXE Body Wash for Men, Excite 16 oz for $3.97 (list price $5.21)
OFFICE, SCHOOL, AND CRAFTS
Paper Mate InkJoy Gel Pens, Fine Point, Assorted Colors, 8 Count for $8.50 (list price $15.47)
Strathmore STR-405-11 50 Sheet Tape Bound Calligraphy Pad, 8.5 by 11″ for $6.49 (list price $16.99)
Mead Composition Notebook, Wide Ruled, 100 Sheets, 12 Pack (72936) for $14.24 (list price $19.99)
Epson Value Photo Paper Glossy, Letter, 50 Sheets (S400031) for $6.69 (list price $13.39)
Pacon Classroom Keepers 15-Slot Mailbox, Blue (001308) for $24.00 (list price $33.86)
Mr. Sketch Scented Twistable Gel Crayons, Assorted Colors, 12-Count for $11.34 (list price $12.99)
Sharpie Accent Gel Highlighters, Colored, 4 Highlighters (1780477) for $5.91 (list price $8.49)
Paper Mate InkJoy Gel Pens, Medium Point, Black, 10 Count for $11.22 (list price $13.20)
AmazonBasics Ballpoint Pens 1.0mm – Pack of 100 for $5.49 (list price $7.49)
OUTDOORS, GARDEN, AND SPORTS
LED Lenser – M1 Flashlight, Black for $32.31(list price $49.99)
Repel Easy Touch Umbrella DuPont Teflon Travel Umbrella, Black for $23.95 (list price $50.00)
Spoga 1/4-Inch Anti-Slip Exercise Yoga Mat with Carrying Strap, Gray for $11.90 (list price $15.98)
Gaiam Stainless Steel Water Bottle, Wave, 17 oz for $15.98 (list price $19.98)
Personalized Monogrammed 500 11.5 Gram Suited Poker Chips in Case for $65.55 (list price $87.40)
Wagner’s 62059 Greatest Variety Blend, 16-Pound Bag for $19.98 (list price $24.99)
Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade 10 Lb for $22.02 (list price $29.99)
Luster Leaf 1601 Rapitest Soil Test Kit for $12.59 (list price $14.44)
Stalwart ECO Friendly Utility Boot Tray Mat, 20″ x 15″/Small, Black for $9.95 (list price $19.99)
D-Con Ultra Set Mouse Trap (pkg of 5) for $21.74 (list price $32.95)
Suncast SSW1200 Mocha Resin Wicker 22-Gallon Storage Seat for $37.00 (list price $39.49)
Char-Griller 3001 Grillin’ Pro 40,800-BTU Gas Grill for $199.99 (list price $279.99)
ELECTRONICS
Singing Machine STVG-519 CDG Karaoke Player for $39.99 (list price $59.98)
LG Electronics 34UC87M-B 34-Inch Screen LED-lit Monitor for $672.50 (list price $799.99)
Lexar JumpDrive P20 128GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive – LJDP20-128CRBNA for $49.99 (list price $72.53)
Razer Diamondback – Chroma Ambidextrous Gaming Mouse for $41.99 (list price $89.99)
TOOLS
Stanley 10-778 Fatmax Retractable Knife for $8.79 (list price $16.10)
PORTER-CABLE PC60THP 6-Amp Hand Planer for $59.99 (list price $67.75)
PORTER-CABLE PC60TAG 6.0-Amp 4-1/2-Inch Angle Grinder for $24.99 (list price $36.39)
PORTER-CABLE PC1500HG 1500-Watt Heat Gun for $29.99 (list price $39.97)
Slice 10503 Auto Retractable Box Cutter with Ceramic Blade for $72.41 (list price $119.94)
DEWALT DCF885C1 20V Max 1/4″ Impact Driver Kit, for $99.00 (list price $169.00)
TEKTON 37521 1/2-Inch Capacity Tongue and Groove Pliers, 5-Inch for $7.46 (list price $11.89)
PORTER-CABLE PCCK602L2 20V MAX Lithium 2 Tool Combo Kit for $159.99 (list price $269.00)
Yost MAV-3.5 Multi-Angle Vise, 3.5″ for $53.13 (list price $60.00)
CyberPower DS806MYL Heavy Duty Power Strip 8-Outlets 6-Foot Cord for $15.95 (list price $18.95)
January 30, 2017 – 12:28pm