Recent FBI reports show that charity scams have defrauded individuals of approximately $4.4 million. Charity scams are fraudulent activities where individuals or organizations pose as legitimate charities and exploit the generosity of people who want to contribute to a cause. These scams can happen through online or offline means. While individuals often donate with good intentions, they should always look out for the following signs to safeguard against potential charity fraud: Refusing to reveal information A fake charity is usually reluctant to delve into details regarding their operations, work, outreach, location of their offices or headquarters, or EID number. They may also have vague mission statements and no clear knowledge about how their funds are utilized or the impact of their “activities.” If one feels that a charity that has reached out cannot answer these questions or is evasive, it’s highly likely that the organization is a scam. To steer clear of this and gauge the credibility and legitimacy of an organization, one should always ask questions and check the charity’s online presence, BBB ratings, reviews from past donors and recipients, if any, and ask for any documents or financial statements. Showing fake documentation Scammers may provide fake documentation, such as tax-exempt certificates or receipts, to make their scams appear more convincing. So, it’s always a good idea to verify these documents before committing to make any payments. Getting incessant calls and emails Fake charities often bombard individuals with unsolicited contact through emails, calls, or messages. Legitimate charities seldom do cold-calling for donations. So, this is another red flag that should raise concerns. Pressurizing to donate Scammers use emotional or time-sensitive tactics that create a sense of urgency, thriving on donors who make hasty decisions. This manipulation in the form of emotional appeals is often a telltale sign of a charity scam.

Very few things are nobler than donating money or other resources to charity. Donations are often made with the purest intentions, so donors usually do not intend to sneakily gain any advantage from giving money away. Unfortunately, there are plenty of mistakes one could make while donating to charity. Some such mistakes are easy to spot and sidestep, while others are harder to avoid. One needs to avoid these mistakes when donating to a charity: Not researching One must thoroughly research any charitable organization or NGO before donating money to them. This involves understanding the causes and issues that the organization supports, as well as their reputation. Potential donors can check critical documents such as impact reports and annual reports to see the financial and charity history of organizations they are looking to put money into. Failing to research may prove to be costly in multiple ways. For instance, one may donate to organizations that do not align with their causes and beliefs. Alternatively, donors may give less money than needed if they do not read the minimum requirement guidelines that such organizations enlist. Donating only once a year A donation should never be an obligation for anyone. People who follow a “one-and-done” philosophy to charity may as well avoid it if they cannot support multiple causes and charitable organizations throughout the year. Donating to charity has several benefits, such as building communities and creating opportunities for genuine change that can only be achieved through the support of multiple donors. Donating only once a year may diminish these benefits. Falling for scams during crises During floods, hurricanes, or forest fires, many opportunistic scamsters go around masquerading as NGO representatives and collect “donations” from unsuspecting victims. One must check the ID and other credibility-establishing documents of such representatives before shelling out any amount of money.

No relationship can be perfect. Further, long-term relationships like marriages go through rocky phases, during which couples must try to communicate and resolve issues. However, if issues in the marriage begin taking a massive toll on the quality of life and physical and mental health of couples, then it might be a sign that the relationship needs help or is nearing its end. Here are some signs of a troubled marriage: 1. Feelings of contempt Annoyances and disagreements are a part of every relationship, but if partners start resenting or detesting each other to an unhealthy degree, it could be a sign that the marriage needs help. For instance, many couples believe that, at its worst, a relationship feels like one or both partners are finding it difficult to be around each other all the time. 2.  Excessive criticism Many prefer their partners to be honest with them instead of constantly showering them with compliments. However, excessive criticism can be a sign of a troubled marriage. Going overboard with negative comments can create distance and resentment in a relationship. 3. Feeling controlled Marriages can turn sour when one or both partners feel that their identity or contribution to a given union is being diluted by the other person in the relationship. Certain people are inherently dominant in nature. If they exercise too much control over their partners, then the latter may begin to feel restrained and unable to be themselves. 4. Lack of healthy arguments Marriages and romantic unions are built on healthy arguments, in which couples gradually find common ground over time. When such arguments become cumbersome to the point that neither husband nor wife wishes to indulge in them anymore, then a marriage may need some help. 5. Unwillingness to let go of past issues Living in the past can burden a relationship.

Food vacuum sealers are a great way to keep the food fresh and retain its nutrients. These foods are known to stay fresh not just for days but even weeks and months for some ingredients. However, it is important to be careful of what is being packed in bags to ensure that one does not exceed the expiry date of the food. Here are some tips and tricks to make food vacuum sealers even more efficient. 1. Label the bags When vacuum-sealing food in bags, it is important to label the bags correctly. Some bags come with their own label, which can be used to easily write down the contents. It’s also a good idea to include the date of packaging and the expiry date on the label to ensure food safety. 2. Freeze liquids One trick to seal liquids in food vacuum sealers is to freeze them first. Once frozen, put them in the sealers and put them away. This will only take a couple of extra hours of work but will be rewarding as it creates no mess while sealing liquids that are flavorful when thawed. 3. Use oxygen absorbers These are small packets that are easily available in the market. As the name describes, they are used to absorb the oxygen from the air around them. While vacuum sealing in itself is a foolproof process, sometimes there may be gaps left behind due to the uneven shape of food or liquids. This could limit the vacuum sealing. For this reason, the oxygen absorbers do a great job of removing any lingering oxygen around this food, which could lead to decomposition. 4. Cover sharp edges Some foods, like meat with bones sticking out or other hard cheeses, may have sharp edges that may tear the seal. To avoid this mishap, one can cover the edges with folded wax paper.

From crispy vegetables to an assortment of meats, a grill helps create some of the tastiest dishes. It’s the perfect appliance for hosting a barbeque with friends and family. However, the functions of a grill are not straightforward, and there are various factors one needs to consider, right from lighting a fire to cleaning it. Not following the proper method could result in a poorly cooked meal. Here are five common grilling mistakes to avoid. Using lighter fluid Those who have charcoal grills tend to use lighter fluid to ignite the fire. However, this liquid contains chemicals that may mix with the food during the cooking process. One should consider lighting the coal in a chimney starter instead. It has a top chamber where the coal sits and a lower chamber for the fuel (usually newspaper) used to ignite the coal. Skipping preheating When using charcoal in gas grills, skipping the preheating process could result in the cooking grate not being sufficiently hot. This mistake may cause meats to stick aggressively because their proteins form a chemical bond with the metal. One should let the metal surface become sufficiently hot before placing the raw food. Not oiling the grate Charcoal and gas grills are made of steel or cast iron and must be oiled before grilling to keep the food from sticking. One should use tongs to dip a wad of paper towels in vegetable oil and thoroughly wipe the scrubbed, preheated cooking grate before adding the food. Leaving the lid open People often like to leave the lid open to see how the food cooks. But this causes the heat to leave the grill, which increases cooking time. One should follow the steps of a recipe thoroughly and keep the lid closed to trap as much heat as possible.

Banking is one of the most technologically advanced sectors. From being able to deposit money into one’s bank account to sending money overseas, most transactions today take a few minutes to a couple of hours to complete. However, the banking sector is most vulnerable to scams from criminals who gain illegal access to a customer’s personal and financial information. This is why one should know about these 4 common bank scams and how to protect oneself. Overpayment scam These usually begin with scammers sending counterfeit checks or money orders for more than the amount owed to a seller. The scammer then asks the seller to deposit the money in the bank and wire the difference back. However, the fake check will eventually bounce, and the bank will charge a returned check fee, leaving the seller without any funds wired to them and losing the product. Therefore, one should confirm the buyer’s name, telephone number, and street address before accepting the check and not accept a check for more than the selling price. Automatic debit scam The scammer may contact one by email, text, or phone to siphon the information and set up automatic payments to themselves from the account. This might look like a genuine monthly subscription for services, but instead, it is someone stealing funds. To avoid this, one must not give up or confirm the account routing number to a random individual. Even if they claim to be from the bank, they should call the establishment to check if the request is legitimate. Fake contest Scammers may contact an individual saying they have won something and must send payment only for shipping or processing the prize. When the person sends the shipping fee, they never receive an item. One could avoid this by not giving away money for something that sounds too good to be true.

With the accessibility that comes with the Internet, there are increased opportunities for making money. It helps open a Pandora’s box of investment, employment, donation, and other opportunities to help a person succeed. However, on the flip side, it also lets loose scammers who are eager to make the most of these unsuspecting people. With both the negative and the positive opportunities, there are various online money-making scams that one should be vigilant about. Phishing Probably one of the biggest and long-running money-making scams there is, phishing is a common problem faced by several people. Usually, the process involves receiving a text or an email from a company that seems legitimate. In most cases, the scam impersonates one of the organizations the individual already interacts with. The mail contains a verification link; on submitting the details, users make themselves vulnerable to attacks from scammers. Cryptocurrency scams Cryptocurrency might not be creating as big a frenzy as it was earlier. But that hasn’t been enough to slow down the scammers who are making the most out of people’s interest by offering them some early investment opportunities, giveaways, fake prizes, or entering them into contests. Scammers can try to lure people into believing them by impersonating reliable companies and websites and citing the need for login information or proposing early investment opportunities. Some have even employed the one-time password (OTP) technique to falsely gain access to sensitive information. Employment scams These scams are mostly targeted at people who are looking for job opportunities online. Scammers even put the time and thought into the fake hiring process to make it look as legitimate as possible. Employment scams make it easier for scammers to gain access to people’s information via digital employment forms. Alternatively, they can convince people to buy training programs or ask for money from the applicants.

Jerky is among the most commonly preferred snack options by many food lovers. It is healthy, protein-rich, convenient, and versatile – meaning people can easily incorporate it into their breakfast, pasta, spaghetti, and other recipes. Unbeknownst to many, the Jerky Of The Month Club is a subscription service that helps individuals tap into the popularity of this snack. Continue reading to learn more about the benefits offered by the Jerky Of The Month Club. Enjoy new flavors By signing up for the Jerky Of The Month Club, one can try out different brands and flavors. It is a step up from sticking to the limited options the local stores have in stock. Plus, the chance to try different types and flavors of jerky can be a gratifying experience for food lovers. One can expect flavors and options that add excitement and surprise to meal and snack recipes. Stocked up pantry Joining a Jerky Of The Month Club offers subscribers a chance to try and find their favorite flavors. Experts have handpicked these products, which come from healthy sources. These clubs even let subscribers customize their selection by adding specific orders alongside their monthly boxes. Experience quality Jerky is an item often available in most supermarkets or convenience stores. However, such products may be laden with preservatives that can potentially harm one’s health. The ingredient list on these items may include nitrates, GMOs, sugar derivatives, and high salt content. With Jerky Of The Month Clubs, people can access 100% grass-fed, preservative-free jerky conveniently delivered to their doorstep. A super saver Signing up for these clubs is a convenient way for users to save time and money. While looking for good quality jerky that is crafted to personal preferences is a tedious task, it can be even hard to locate artisanal jerky stores in one’s locality.