Love, Lies, and Algorithms
Modern romance scams aren’t powered by love. They’re powered by psychology, technology, and increasingly, artificial intelligence.
Consumer Protection
I Went Looking for My Missing Money. The Missing Money Search Was Missing.
I followed the official advice to search for unclaimed money. The result? A 404 error, access denied messages, and a growing appreciation for how many people probably give up before they ever find out what they’re owed.
The Unclaimed Money Racket: When Government Becomes the Lost-and-Found Owner
More than $100 billion in unclaimed property is currently being held by state governments. Is it consumer protection, or has forgotten money become too useful to return quickly?
Love, Lies, and Algorithms: Online Dating Safety in 2026
Online dating safety requires vigilance against common threats like scams, catfishing, and the emerging challenge of AI-generated personas. Scammers use emotional manipulation and increasingly sophisticated technology to build trustāthen exploit victims for money or personal information. This isnāt ābad luck.ā Itās a system. And like any system, it has tells. Case Files for Online Dating … Read more
Scamoholics Anonymous
A fictional recovery program for people who just can’t stop scamming. Satire, humor, and a few uncomfortable truths about fraud.
Pepsi, Whereās My Jet?ā (1996): When Fine Print Went Missing
When Pepsi jokingly offered a military jet in a 1990s commercial, one customer took the offer seriously. The resulting lawsuit became one of the most famous consumer cases in advertising history.
Pepsiās āNumber Feverā (1992): Why Some Shops Still Say No
In 1992, a national bottle-cap promo promised big cash to lucky numbers. Then the nightmare: due to a numbering/printing fiasco, tens of thousands of people believed theyād won. What shouldāve been a feel-good campaign turned into street protests, factory blockades, and reported injuriesāalong with news reports citing five deaths tied to the chaos.Courts and regulators … Read more
Extended Warranties: The Pre-Existing Scam
TL;DR: They sell āpeace of mind,ā then deny claims with magic words: āpre-existing,ā āwear and tear,ā āimproper maintenance,ā or āunauthorized repair.ā The business model is delay, deny, and hope you quit. Hereās how to beat itāor better, avoid it. What They Promise vs. What the Fine Print Does The āPre-Existingā Trick (How They Say No) … Read more