Hot showers, like electricity, are a luxury that’s easy to take for granted. That all changes after a few nights camping at a music festival, a week toiling at a backcountry job site, or overlanding all summer in the great unknown. An itchy scalp and the vague smell of warm clams suddenly make the idea of spending hundreds on a portable shower seem less absurd.
Technology
6 sneaky scams that could ruin your holiday season
The holiday season is a time filled with joy, festivities and cherished moments with family and friends. However, amidst the hustle and bustle of shopping, cooking and celebrating, it’s easy to overlook a lurking danger: scams. Scammers thrive during this busy time, preying on our excitement and stress to trick us into revealing personal information or losing money. We’re going to discuss six sneaky scams that could ruin your holiday spirit and provide you with essential tips on how to protect yourself from these deceptive tactics.
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Scam alert illustration (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
1) Package delivery scam
With the holiday season in full swing, the end-of-year sales have begun, and you probably have already started your holiday shopping and are expecting packages coming via different types of delivery services like FedEx, UPS or USPS. So, if you receive a text that mentions a package delivery, you may be likely to easily fall for a scam. I was expecting a package recently and received this text out of the blue (see image).
Fake package delivery scam text (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Even though the text says the sender is not in my contact list and that it may be junk, I almost clicked the link because I was so focused on the fact that there may have been a typo in my delivery address. But once I looked a little closer, there were a few red flags in this text message that tipped me off to it being a scam.
- First, the link does not lead you to usps.com. It’s a fake link that scammers hope you won’t notice. Notice it is uspsts.top and not usps.com. This is a common scam going around called typosquatting wherein a scammer uses a domain that looks close to a real website. Next, the text says “pls,” which is lingo for “please” that you likely wouldn’t see in correspondence from the USPS. Scammers often make typos or use poor grammar when communicating, so always double-check.
- Scammers are sending emails, texts and even occasionally there could be a phone call that is regarding an issue with package delivery. It may be something like this text I received that has a link where they’ll end up asking for information, or you may be asked to pay a “shipping fee” to get your package.
- Be sure to always have strong antivirus software running on your devices to prevent any disasters from happening if you were to click on a malicious link. See my expert review of the best antivirus protection for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.
How to avoid package delivery scams
If you are expecting a package, and you’re wondering if you’ve received real information or not about it, the best way to check is to go to the original confirmation you received about shipping. You most likely received an email regarding your package, and if you go to that email to get your order number, you should be able to look up the status of your order directly on any website.
A woman shopping on her laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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2) Charity scams
Sadly, charity scams aren’t new, but they are way more prevalent during the holiday season since scammers are hoping you’re feeling more generous during this time of year. Sometimes, scammers may create fake names of organizations to get you to donate money, or they may reach out to you via phone/email/text posing as someone working for a legitimate charity. Social media has also become a popular place for charities to market themselves and reach more eyes in hopes of donations, so scammers may try to pose as fake charities. These schemes will try to appeal to your emotions during this season, so be sure to check where you donate your money so you don’t fall for a scam.
How to avoid charity scams
Never give your money to anyone immediately who approaches you or reaches out on behalf of any organization without doing your own independent research. Either do a little googling or check with a family member to see if it’s real, and if it is, you should be able to donate to an official website or an official address. You can always mention this to anyone who asks you to donate somewhere. Don’t fall into the pressure of donating right then and there. Also, always double-check the name of an organization. Sometimes (especially online), scammers will alter the name of a known organization slightly to trick you into donating.
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3) Social media gift exchange scam
The Better Business Bureau is warning about a gift exchange scam with a new twist, which has been occurring during recent holiday seasons. It’s an online version of the popular “Secret Santa” gift exchange. However, the BBB says these social media-driven gift exchanges are actually pyramid schemes, and you will most likely be disappointed if you participate.
In the past few years, variations of the gift exchange have popped up, with someone asking you to select a random person and send them a gift to pay it forward. Another asks you to exchange bottles of wine with someone else, and while it seems fun and light-hearted, you don’t know who is on the receiving end.
How to avoid social media gift exchange scams
It may sound nice to send a holiday gift to a stranger in turn for receiving multiple gifts yourself, but you’re never going to receive many (if any) gifts at all. Don’t participate in gift exchanges with anyone you don’t know, or you won’t be able to guarantee you’ll actually be gifting someone who isn’t a scammer.
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4) Gift card scams
Gift card scams are another popular method that has been rising in popularity recently, but it’s especially important to watch out for the possibilities, since you may be purchasing gift cards for friends or family for the holidays. Scammers often steal gift cards and use the information before they make it look like they didn’t. They have a number of methods for tricking you using gift cards, so if you can send an online one (so that you can ensure you’ve purchased it on a legitimate, official website), that would be a much safer alternative.
How to avoid gift card scams
If you’re getting anyone a gift card and buying it in person, be sure to check that the package hasn’t been tampered with. Double-check that nothing on the packaging looks suspicious since scammers will try to make it seem like the package was sealed, but they will already have used the gift card, so you’re essentially buying a useless piece of plastic.
Illustration of a gift card (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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5) Home Depot email confirmation scam
Scammers are capitalizing on the festive spirit with a deceptive email campaign targeting people at this time of year. This scam involves a deceptive email that appears to be from Home Depot with such wording as “Confirmation needed: please confirm receipt.” The email body typically contains enticing text like “Congratulations! The Home Depot – You are our winner!” along with a customer number and a blue circle that says, “Check if you won.” Who couldn’t use a little extra cheer or perhaps a holiday prize from Home Depot this season?
The problem is this is a scam, and the goal of this scam is to lure you into clicking on an embedded link, which can lead to various malicious outcomes. These include phishing for personal and financial information, installing malware on your device, redirecting to a fake website that resembles Home Depot’s or prompting you to pay a “delivery fee” for a non-existent prize.
How to avoid Home Depot email scams
To protect yourself from this and similar scams, scrutinize the sender’s email address for any discrepancies. Hover over links without clicking to reveal their true destination. Be wary of unexpected “winnings” or requests for confirmation. If you receive an email that raises suspicion, contact Home Depot directly through their official website or customer service number to verify its legitimacy. Finally, remember that legitimate companies will not ask you to confirm sensitive information via email or require you to click on links to claim prizes.
Fake Home Depot winning email (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
6) Fake online shopping sites scam
One of the most common scams during the holiday season is the fake online shopping site scam. Scammers create websites that look like legitimate online stores but are actually designed to steal your personal and financial information. They may offer products at very low prices or claim to have limited-time deals or exclusive items. They may also send you phishing emails or text messages with links to these fake sites.
A woman shopping on her laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Some signs of a fake online shopping site are:
- The website address does not match the name of the store or brand.
- The website has poor design and/or spelling and grammar errors.
- The website does not have a secure connection (https) or a padlock icon in the address bar.
- The website asks for too much personal information, such as your Social Security number or bank account details.
- The website does not have a clear return policy, contact information or customer reviews.
How to avoid falling victim to this scam
By following a few simple precautions, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling prey to online scams and ensure a safer shopping experience.
1) Shop only from trusted and reputable online stores that you know and have used before.
2) Check the website address carefully and look for any red flags.
3) Do some research on the online store before making a purchase. Read customer reviews, look for ratings or search for complaints online.
4) Use a credit card or a secure payment service like PayPal when shopping online. Do not use debit cards, wire transfers or gift cards.
5) Keep track of your online purchases and monitor your bank statements for any unauthorized charges.
6) Use strong antivirus protection software. An effective antivirus software is a must-have. The best way to protect yourself from clicking on any malicious links on fake websites or in phishing emails and text messages is to have antivirus protection installed and actively running on all your devices. It’s the best to help stop and alert you of any malware in your system and ultimately protect you from being hacked. See my expert review of the best antivirus protection for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.
7) Use a personal data removal service. Scammers can obtain your information from various online sources, including data brokers, people search sites and public records. Using a data removal service can help reduce your digital footprint, making it harder for scammers to access your personal information. This proactive step can be crucial in preventing identity theft and minimizing the chances of falling victim to scams during the busy holiday season.
While no service promises to remove all your data from the internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.
Below are some next steps if you find you or your loved one is a victim of identity theft. 1) If you can regain control of your accounts, change your passwords and inform the account provider
2) Look through bank statements and checking account transactions to see where outlier activity started
3) Use an identity theft protection service: Identity theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security number, phone number and email address and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.
One of the best parts of using some services is that they might include identity theft insurance of up to $1 million to cover losses and legal fees and a white-glove fraud resolution team where a U.S.-based case manager helps you recover any losses. See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft.
4) Report any breaches to official government agencies like the Federal Communications Commission. 5) Get the professional advice of a lawyer
6) Alert all three major credit bureaus and possibly place a fraud alert on your credit report.
7) Run your own background check or request a copy of one if that is how you discovered your information has been used by a criminal.
If you are a victim of identity theft, the most important thing to do is to take immediate action to mitigate the damage and prevent further harm.
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As we dive into the holiday season, let’s keep our guard up against those sneaky scams that could spoil our celebrations. Remember to stay vigilant while shopping online or responding to unexpected messages. A little caution can go a long way in ensuring that your holidays remain joyful and stress-free. So, enjoy the festivities, cherish the moments with loved ones, and keep these tips in mind to outsmart the scammers. What are some of your personal experiences with holiday scams, and how did you protect yourself from them? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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I’ve been scammed! What to do next?
Kurt’s key takeaways
I’ve been testing the Hottap Go from Australia-based Joolca while vanlifing to shower after surfing and to wash up after cooking. It features a 12L integrated water tank which is an improvement on other portable showers that require an external container and long, cumbersome hose that’s easy to trip over. The Hottap Go also recirculates the water until it reaches your chosen temperature. This slows things down a bit, compared to “instant” portable showers, but it doesn’t waste water since it won’t produce an initial shock of cold water that’s usually sprayed into the ground.
The $554 Hottap Go requires an external 12V power source, but in the US Joolca sells a 12V / 5A $165 power bank that attaches magnetically to the case. In Europe I had to roll my own with an €85 (about $100) power bank found on Amazon. The result is a true, fully self-contained hot water system that can be taken anywhere.
$554
The Good
- All-in-one solution for hot showers anywhere
- Water tank large enough for two showers
- All accessories and attachments store inside the unit
- No water wasted unlike competitors
- Temperature remains steady
The Bad
- Very expensive
- Battery is optional and attaches to the outside of the case
- Have to wait a few minutes to heat up
- Water pressure is just okay
To clear up any confusion right away: the Hottap Go requires electricity to power the integrated water pump and display but it heats the water with propane gas. It works with standard 1lb propane canisters out of the box, and larger tanks with a hose and regulator you must provide.
One thing I love about the Hottap Go is that the hoses, battery, showerhead, and gas canister can all be stored inside the water tank when not in use for easy portability and storage. I also like that the flow-adjustable showerhead comes with a magnetic holder. Taken together with its approach to preheating the water through recirculation, it’s clear that Joolca’s product designers have learned from the shortcomings of the current crop of portable propane showers.
To shower, you first attach the quick-release hoses for the gas and showerhead, plug the shower into a 12V power source (power bank, power station, or the cigarette plug inside your car), set your desired temperature and wait. The unit will begin heating and recirculating the water until a series of beeps indicates that the target temperature is reached. I brought tap water up to a hot 47C / 117F (per the display) in exactly four minutes, which was just enough time to gather everything I needed to shower outside my van with my modesty preserved.
On one windy day at the beach, I noticed the Hottap Go had to keep reigniting, despite its leeward venting. It failed so often that I saw an E3 error message on the display. Repositioning the shower out of the wind kept the flame lit. The handle on top makes it easy to move, and the seal around the lid ensures that water won’t slosh onto the ground or your power bank. Otherwise, the Hottap Go always lit and stayed lit without issue during my testing.
Joolca says the Hottap Go is good for two “great showers” or a single “long, luxurious one.” I was able to take two functional yet satisfying showers from its full 12L (3.2 gal) water tank, making liberal use of the on/off switch on the showerhead to conserve water while lathering.
1/11
Water flow is just okay, even at maximum setting. It’s strong enough to penetrate long, thick hair when shampooing but it’s not going to jettison grime from my mountain bike, for example. The magnetic holder is strong and the showerhead feels good in the hand with a nicely positioned on/off switch. Adjusting the flow rate dial is a two-handed operation, but mostly I just left it on max.
If you’ll only use it once or twice a year, then spending over $554 for the Hottap Go portable shower doesn’t make much sense, especially when tankless portable showers like BougeRV’s cost half that. I much prefer the Hottap Go’s recirculating water tank, performance, and overall convenience, though I do wish the optional $165 magnetic power bank was included in that price. Still, for vanlifers like me or anyone who regularly spends days away from plumbing, $719 can be easily justified for what could be the best portable hot water shower available.
- Tank: 12L (3.2 gal), ~2 showers
- Water flow rate: 1.5 – 3.5 L/min (0.4 – 0.9 gal/min)
- Shower hose: 3m (9.8 ft)
- Showerhead has an integrated magnetic mount and controls to turn off the water and adjust its flow
- Two-stage filter lets you use creek water
- Cigarette socket power cable: 5m (16.4 ft), 12V DC
- Power draw: 45W
- Max temp: 60°C (140°F), pre-heats in ~5 min
- Gas: 0.45 kg (1 lb) canister, ~15 showers
- Gas flow rate: 20MJ/hr (18,956 BTU/hr)
- Weight: 9.5 kg (20.9 lb) without water
- Size: 495 x 359 x 180 mm (19.5 x 14.1 x 7.1 in), designed to fit most jerry can holders
Photos by Thomas Ricker / The Verge
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If your clean laundry has been sitting in a basket long enough to qualify as furniture, Isaac 1 may sound like the robot you have been waiting for. Weave Robotics has introduced Isaac 1, a mobile home robot designed to handle household chores that many of us keep pushing off to tomorrow. It can pick up dirty clothes, handle loaded hampers, fold laundry and put clothes away.
It can also help with making beds, fixing pillows and blankets, plus putting everyday clutter back where it belongs. That sounds pretty amazing to me, especially if your house has kids, pets or a laundry pile that seems to regenerate overnight. However, Isaac 1 also raises a very personal question: how much access would you give a robot inside your home if it meant fewer chores?
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Weave Robotics’ Isaac 1 home robot can fold laundry, make beds and tidy rooms, but its $7,999 price tag raises questions about cost and privacy. (Weave Robotics)
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What is the Isaac 1 robot?
Isaac 1 is a wheeled mobile robot built from the ground up for the home. Weave says it designed and assembled the robot in San Francisco. The robot has a soft fabric shell, a solid internal structure and a collapsible torso. It can shrink down when it is off duty or extend up to a more human height when it needs to work.
Unlike a robot vacuum, Isaac 1 can reach for objects, move items around and interact with clutter in your home. You control it through a smartphone companion app. That app lets you request a task on demand or schedule one for later. So, Isaac 1 could work while you are home or handle a chore while you are away.
How the Isaac 1 robot folds laundry and resets rooms
Isaac 1’s main features fall into two areas. The first is Laundry Flow. Isaac 1 can find dirty clothes, pick them up, handle loaded hampers, fold clothing and put items away. Depending on your home setup, Weave says Isaac 1 may also help with related tasks, such as loading and unloading clothes from a washer or dryer.
The second area is Daily Reset. That means Isaac 1 can tidy rooms so they feel ready to use again. It can make beds, straighten pillows and blankets and return toys, shoes and other clutter to their places. For many homes, that could be a big deal. Laundry and daily pickup chores tend to drain time because they never really end.
Isaac 1 robot specs for your home
Isaac 1 has an 8-hour battery life and a listed charge time of about two hours. It connects through Wi-Fi and has a footprint of 20.5 inches by 22 inches. Its height ranges from 3 feet to 5 feet 9 inches because the torso can collapse or extend.
Weave also lists an 80-inch vertical reach and a 38-inch horizontal reach. Those specs help explain how Isaac 1 could reach beds, hampers, shelves and other parts of a normal home. It also uses a wheeled base, which Weave says makes it passively stable as it completes tasks.
At preorder, you can also choose a color preference, including Sage, Gray, Slate Blue, Terracotta or Vesper.
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Isaac 1 is designed to help with laundry, clutter and daily home resets while using cameras, Wi-Fi and possible remote assistance. (Weave Robotics)
Isaac 1 robot autonomy and privacy questions
Weave says Isaac 1 is autonomous by default for Laundry Flow and Daily Reset. However, the company also says teleoperation assistance may step in when needed to make sure tasks get completed. That detail deserves your attention because Isaac 1 works inside your home. Teleoperation means a person can help the robot remotely if it gets confused by an item, a room layout or a task. In some cases, that could make the robot more useful. It could also help prevent chores from getting stuck halfway.
Weave says privacy is core to Isaac 1’s design. The company also says the robot has physical cues that show when it is working. However, Weave’s privacy policy says its robots have video cameras and may record visual content about their surroundings. That can include tasks being performed, objects in the robot’s field of view and people nearby. The policy also says Weave’s workforce may remotely access that information in connection with the robot’s operation. That does not mean you should panic. It does mean you should read the policy before putting down a deposit.
Isaac 1 may need cameras to fold clothes and move through your home. Still, your bedroom, laundry area and living room are private spaces. You deserve clear answers about what gets recorded, who can see it and how long it is stored. Before ordering, ask whether video can be deleted, whether you can opt out of AI training uses and how you can limit where the robot operates.
Isaac 1 robot price and preorder details
Weave lists two payment options for home customers. You can pay $7,999 upfront, with an optional $99-per-month premium membership, or choose a $449-per-month subscription plan. You can also preorder Isaac 1 with a fully refundable $250 deposit. That deposit reserves your place in line and remains refundable until your robot ships.
For some, the math may come down to time. If Isaac 1 handles enough laundry and daily cleanup, the cost may feel easier to justify. For others, $449 a month may feel like too much for an early home robot.
Isaac 1 robot shipping timeline
Weave says first shipments begin in fall 2026. California deliveries come first, with broader U.S. availability expected through 2027.
After you preorder, Weave says you should receive a confirmation and thank-you email. As your delivery date gets closer, the company plans to coordinate a demo.
That demo may happen in person at a Weave location or remotely over a video call. Weave also says it will use that time to understand your top priorities for Isaac 1 inside your home.
What this means to you
If Isaac 1 works as promised, it could give you back time from chores that never seem finished. Laundry alone can take hours each week, especially in a busy household. It could also help if bending, lifting or carrying loaded hampers has become a hassle. For some homes, a robot that folds clothes and resets rooms may offer more than convenience.
However, Isaac 1 is still a connected device moving through private rooms. It uses cameras, connects to Wi-Fi and may involve remote help when needed. So before you place a deposit, think about your home layout and where you would actually feel comfortable letting it work.
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Weave Robotics says Isaac 1 can pick up dirty clothes, fold laundry and put items away after users schedule chores through an app. (Weave Robotics)
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Kurt’s key takeaways
Isaac 1 is the kind of robot that makes you stop and say, “OK, now we’re getting somewhere.” Nobody looks forward to folding laundry, making beds or picking up the same clutter again and again. These are the chores that eat up your precious time and seem never-ending. The price is the hard part. At $7,999 upfront or $449 a month, Isaac 1 has to do a lot more than look cool in a demo. It has to save you real time, work reliably and fit into your home without creating new headaches. Then there is the privacy side. Isaac 1 uses cameras, connects to Wi-Fi and may involve remote help when needed. That does not make it a dealbreaker for me, but I would want very clear answers before letting it work in private spaces like my bedroom or bathroom. I love the idea of a robot taking laundry off my hands. I am just not sure most of us are ready to pay nearly $8,000 for that privilege quite yet.
Would you let a robot see inside your home if it meant you never had to fold another load of laundry again? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
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