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Find discounted security cameras and video doorbells ahead of Black Friday
Don't wait for Black Friday! Pre-Black Friday sales are already in full swing, and you can find deals on everything from home goods to home security systems.
Maybe it's because people are becoming more privacy-conscious these days, but everyone seems to be doubling down on surveillance systems for their homes and vehicles. If you haven’t seen that dash cam video of the staged car crash scam, you really should — it's definitely a wake-up call for the need to document everything.
SEE ALSO: I'm a tech editor, and these are the early Black Friday deals threatening my walletThese gadgets also make great gifts for the security-conscious folks in your life. A couple of years ago, I bought my parents a video doorbell, and they love checking to see if someone’s turning around in their drive and the animals scurrying through their yard whenever they’re out of town. (I named their local raccoon Little King Trashmouth, IYKYK.)
Now, Amazon has deals with top brands like Blink, Arlo, Google Nest, and TP-Link Tapo.
Here are a few to keep an eye on:
Best security camera deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: Blink Blink Outdoor 4 [Newest Model] $99.99 at Amazon$259.99 Save $160.00 Get Deal Why we like it
If you’re looking for a home security camera that offers great image quality, motion detection, and a budget-friendly price, the Blink Outdoor 4 [Newest Model] is a solid choice.
Right now, you can get this wireless outdoor/indoor home security camera system (it comes with three cameras) for just $99.99 — that’s 62% off the list price and the lowest price we’ve seen on this camera to date.
This home security system lets you see every camera from your phone in 1080p HD live view. It also has night vision and two-way audio to talk to visitors or scare off would-be burglars. It also has a two-year battery life and can be set up in minutes without the help of a professional. With the included 30-day trial of a Blink Subscription, you can record, save, and share your video clips.
Bonus: If you have an Alexa-enabled device, you can use voice commands to access your live camera feed.
More early Black Friday security camera dealsRoku Outdoor Camera — $19.99 $43.03 (save $23.04)
Blink Mini 2 — $34.99 $69.99 (save $35)
Arlo Pro 3 Wireless LED Floodlight Security Camera — $154.99 $249.99 (save $95)
SimpliSafe 7-Piece Wireless Outdoor Camera Home Security System — $224.99 $449.99 (save $225)
ecobee Total Security Bundle (Smart Doorbell, SmartSensor, Smart Thermostat) — $369.97 $489.97 (save $120)
$129.99 Save $100.02 Get Deal Why we like it
The Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell (AVD1001B) is only $29.97 at Amazon. That’s a 77% discount and a record-low price for this model.
This HD video doorbell is wired, so installation will require existing electrical wiring with a voltage between 16V AC and 24V AC to power it. But for under $30, it’s definitely worth considering as an option over the more expensive smart home gadgets out there.
The Arlo Essential Wired Video Doorbell (AVD1001B) features two-way audio, smart alerts, night vision, and the ability to see visitors from your phone wherever you are. It also works with compatible smart devices like Alexa and Google Assistant.
With more than 19K Amazon reviews and a 4-star average rating, it's a popular choice for shoppers looking for an affordable, feature-packed video doorbell.
More early Black Friday video doorbell dealsKasa Smart Video Doorbell (KD110) — $37.99 $59.99 (save $22)
Tapo TP-Link Smart Video Doorbell Camera (D230S1) — $79.99 $119.99 (save $40)
Arlo Video Doorbell (AVDK4001-100CNS) — $89.99 $149.99 (save $60)
Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 2nd Gen) — $98 $179.99 (save $81.99)
Matt Gaetz joins Cameo like disgraced congressman before him
Matt Gaetz is pulling a George Santos.
The Florida Republican has gone from a sitting member of Congress to selling custom videos on Cameo in about the span of a week.
SEE ALSO: George Santos is now on Cameo as a 'former congressional icon'On Friday, as first noticed by Semafor political reporter Kadia Goba, Matt Gaetz opened up an official account on Cameo, a website that allows celebrities to sell custom message videos to fans.
When Gaetz opened the account, he priced his videos at $250 before quickly updating the price to $500. As of publishing, Gaetz is now selling Cameo videos for $525.
Matt Gaetz's Cameo page Credit: Mashable screenshot via CameoGaetz has already sold and completed at least two videos, both are viewable on his Cameo profile page.
"I served in Congress. Trump nominated me to be US Attorney General (that didn’t work out). Once I fired the House Speaker," reads Gaetz's profile on Cameo.
The disgraced Congressman to Cameo pipelineAs his profile hints, Gaetz resigned from Congress on Nov. 13, shortly after President-elect Donald Trump announced that he was nominating the Florida Republican to be attorney general.
Gaetz was a controversial pick from the start. The former Congressman was disliked even by members of his own party. As he mentions in his profile, Gaetz played a critical role in ousting former Congressman Kevin McCarthy from his House Speaker role in 2023.
Gaetz also faced another big hurdle: A House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations that Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct with a 17-year-old. Gaetz withdrew from AG consideration around the time CNN published a report about a second sexual misconduct allegation. According to reports, Trump had called Gaetz to let him know that he did not have the votes in Congress to be confirmed as AG as well.
The move to Cameo from Gaetz is reminiscent of another disgraced former Congressman's post-politics plan. Republican George Santos was kicked out of Congress late last year following an array of federal charges, including wire fraud and identity theft.
Shortly after leaving Congress, Santos started a Cameo account where he began selling custom videos for $150. Santos also quickly raised his prices too.
Gaetz move isn't that much of a surprise as Santos' Cameo career has proved to be quite lucrative. In February 2024, it was reported that Santos had sold 1,200 videos on Cameo and had made $400,000 in just a couple of months. That beats what Gaetz and Santos were making as Congressmen, which comes with a salary of $174,000.
Tons of drones are already on sale ahead of Black Friday
All of November has been “Black Friday” for online retailers. From Target to Walmart to Best Buy, brands have been doing everything to compete against Amazon before the Big Day.
SEE ALSO: What time Black Friday sales start for Amazon, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and moreThis year, we’re seeing tons of early discounts across almost every product category — including drones, a hot-ticket item for the holidays. As of Nov. 23, you can get up to 52% off drones at select retailers, including DJI, Amazon, and Best Buy.
Drones are usually pretty expensive, so Black Friday is the time to snag one if you want to try aerial photography or just fly something fun around your backyard. They also make great gifts (I bought one for my dad not too long ago for his birthday, and he loves it!).
Here are the best early Black Friday drone deals we could find:
Best drone deal overall Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mini 4K $239.00 at DJI$299.00 Save $60.00 Get Deal Why we like it
The DJI Mini 4K is on sale for $239, down from $299 on the DJI website — that’s $60 off. It’s a great entry-level drone for beginners that won’t cost a fortune.
With a CMOS camera, this little drone can shoot 4K video or take photographer-level shots with its QuickShots and Panoramas settings. Its max flight time is 31 minutes, plenty of time to get the shots you want. Plus, it’s super light (under 249 grams), so you don’t have to register it with the FAA. (You can literally hold it in the palm of your hand.)
It also supports 38kph (Level 5) wind resistance and 4000m max takeoff altitude, so you can film or fly in almost any condition.
Best drone deal for kids Opens in a new window Credit: Holy Stone Holy Stone HS420 Mini Drone $39.99 at Amazon$59.99 Save $20.00 Get Deal Why we like it
If you’re thinking about gifting your kids their first drone, getting one of those weird, off-brand ones from Amazon may be tempting. But the Holy Stone Drone is currently $39.99, down from $59.99 — a solid choice that will actually hold up.
Holy Stone is one of the best names in the drone industry, and with the Holy Stone HS420 Mini Drone, you get a lot of impressive features like “toss to launch” and “one-key start” for easy flying. This drone can also perform stunts and is outfitted with altitude hold and headless mode for beginner pilots.
It also has two batteries, so your kids can fly twice as long.
Best portable drone deal Opens in a new window Credit: Potensic Potensic ATOM SE $239.99 at Potensic$339.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal Why we like it
If you want a drone that’s easy to take anywhere, check out the Potensic ATOM SE. Right now, it's on sale for $239.99 (down from $339.99) on the Potensic website. That's a savings of $100.
This drone is super portable. It weighs less than 250 grams and folds up small enough to fit in your jacket pocket. It also comes with a handy carrying case to keep everything organized.
It has a 4K HD camera with electronic image stabilization (EIS) that helps you capture smooth, crisp aerial videos and 12MP photos. You can even shoot in RAW format to edit your photos like a pro. Two batteries provide a total of 62 minutes of flight time, so you won’t have to worry about running out of juice.
Other cool features include a return-to-home function, a “follow me” mode, and “points of interest,” where the drone autonomously tracks moving objects or focuses on specific areas of interest during flight.
More early Black Friday drone dealsSnaptain K30 Mini 720P HD Camera Drone — $59.99 $79.99 (save $20)
Snaptain S5C PRO FHD Drone — $69.99 $99.99 (save $30)
Holy Stone HS110D FPV RC Drone — $71.99 $89.99 (save $18)
Holy Stone HS175D RC Quadcopter — $135.99 $169.99 (save $34)
Snaptain P30 4K Drone — $179.99 $269.99 (save $90)
DJI Mini 3 Fly More Combo (DJI RC) — $559 $719 (save $160)
DJI Avata 2 Fly More Combo (three batteries) — $1,199 $1,493 (save $294)
LinkedIn is shutting down its Audio Events feature
Audio Events on LinkedIn will soon be no more.
In an update published this week, LinkedIn announced that it would be combining Audio Events with LinkedIn Live, effectively shutting down the audio-only streaming feature.
SEE ALSO: LinkedIn is using your data to train AI. Here's how to turn it off.According to the update, LinkedIn users can no longer schedule a new Audio Event as of December 2. Audio Events already scheduled before December 31 can continue as planned. Any Audio Event scheduled after that date must be rescheduled by December 15 as Audio Events will be entirely unavailable after this year.
The end of LinkedIn's Audio EventsLinkedIn launched Audio Events in 2022. The feature was the business professional-oriented social network's answer to Twitter's Spaces feature or the Clubhouse app. Streaming audio-only platforms became quite popular during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Clubhouse, for example, was valued at $1 billion at one point.
However, the audio streaming boom quickly ended as industry trends recalibrated following the end of lockdowns and the release of the COVID-19 vaccines. By 2023, Clubhouse was laying off half of its employees.
LinkedIn's announcement says that the company is simply "unifying" its Audio Events and LinkedIn Live features. However, LinkedIn Live, the platform's live streaming feature, requires that users stream via a third-party service.
LinkedIn Live, the platform's live streaming feature, requires that users utilize a third-party streaming service. With the closure of Audio Events, LinkedIn will also be ending native streaming services on its platform.
Mini crossword answers for November 23
The Daily Mini Crossword is one of the many popular daily word games available on Mashable. Powered by Arkadium, the mini crossword offers a speed round of puzzle fun with clues that are sure to challenge experienced crossword enthusiasts.
But there's no need to let the challenge get in the way of your enjoyment! If moments are turning to minutes after getting stuck on a clue, find the answers you need to progress right here.
And when you're done, check out the many other word games you can play on Mashable, including a full-size crossword.
Also, if you get stuck on any other daily word games, such as Wordle, Connections, or Strands — we have you covered.
SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for November 23 SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on MashableHere are the clues and answers to Daily Mini Crossword for Saturday, November 23, 2024:
AcrossWord after Gingerbread or MuffinThe answer is MAN.
The answer is Moved.
The answer is Bejewel.
The answer is Ari.
The answer is Ace.
The answer is Octagon.
The answer is Honey.
The answer is Sty.
The answer is Mojitos.
The answer is Ave.
The answer is New Agey.
The answer is Merch.
The answer is Decoy.
The answer is Bao.
The answer is Len.
The answer is Ant.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of GamesAre you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Mini Crossword.
Wordle today: Answer, hints for November 23
Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for November 23 Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for November 23 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Jam.
Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There is one reoccurring letter.
Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter J.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.
Drumroll please!
The solution to today's Wordle is...
JELLY.
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 23Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Wordle.
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for November 23
Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
Tweet may have been deletedEach puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for November 23 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yello: Narrative
Green: Ooze
Blue: Impaled objects
Purple: Colors associated with anarchism
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow: Telling of Events
Green: Secreted by Trees
Blue: Things on Sticks
Purple: Black or Red
Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.
Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today's Connections #531 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayTelling of Events - ACCOUNT, CHRONICLE, DESCRIPTION, STORY
Secreted by Trees - GUM, LATEX, RESIN, SAP
Things on Sticks - BALL-IN-CUP, CORN DOG, COTTON SWAB, LOLLIPOP
Black or Red - BALANCE SHEET, CHECKERS, LICORICE, ROULETTE
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for November 23Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.
The 2024 Guitar Lessons Training Bundle
TL;DR: This lesson package is a great gift for guitar lovers, with courses from beginner to advanced, now for just $14.97 through December 8.
Beginner to advanced courses — perfect for players at any stage, whether they’re just starting or looking to master jazz and blues
Guided by expert Dan Dresnok, an instructor with over 30 years of experience, specializing in styles like jazz, blues, and rock
Fundamentals like reading tablature, playing chords, and soloing included
Courses on music theory and songwriting to understand how songs are constructed and how to create original music on guitar
Techniques like fingerstyle, sweep picking, and harmonics for a unique playing style
Fun practical applications — courses include jam sessions, children’s songs, and Christmas favorites, so they can play along with family and friends
Includes 30+ hours of on-demand content accessible 24/7, so they can learn guitar skills anytime, anywhere
For anyone looking to start or advance their guitar journey, lifetime access to this guitar lessons training bundle offers a full spectrum of guitar knowledge for just $14.97.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: StackCommerce The 2024 Guitar Lessons Training Bundle $14.97$480.00 Save $465.03 Get Deal
Black Friday came early this year: Microsoft Office 2024 is now an additional $20 off
TL;DR: Instead of paying $149 for the 2024 edition of Microsoft Office, get lifetime access for only $129.97 with this early Black Friday offer through December 1.
Did you hear? Microsoft has finally released the latest version of Microsoft Office—it's huge because it's been three years. The 2024 version has given your favorite apps a makeover, new productivity features, AI integration, and so much more to get you closer to your goals.
You don't need to pay full price for Microsoft Office 2024 since this early Black Friday offer arrived just in time. Save an additional $20 on your Mac or PC download and grab lifelong access for only $129.97 while supplies last.
Your favorite Microsoft apps, but updatedWith this lifetime license, you could drop the subscription you would usually pay for Microsoft 365, which is about $70 a year. Once you complete the one-time payment, you'll have these productivity apps on your Windows or Mac device forever.
There are a number of upgrades and additions, like a sleek, ribbon-based interface on each app for seamless navigation, so check out what's included in Microsoft Office 2024.
The most exciting feature of the newest version of this suite is its overall AI integration. Enjoy assistance from Microsoft's intelligent AI tools for text, formatting, and design suggestions across all apps. There's even AI in Excel to help you analyze data more effectively, and another one that can recommend audio descriptions and alternative text for images for greater accessibility.
Another feature that could boost your workflow is how easy collaboration is with Microsoft Office 2024. The built-in chat, commenting features, and version history could help you and your colleagues work more efficiently.
This early Black Friday deal is only valid through December 1 at 11:59 p.m. PT, so grab your PC or Mac download of Microsoft Office 2024 while codes are still available for $129.97.
Microsoft Office 2024 Home for Mac or PC: One-Time Purchase
Only $129.97 at Mashable
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Office 2024 Home for Mac or PC: One-Time Purchase $119.97$149.99 Save $30.02 Get Deal
A 1TB storage drive that’s tiny, tough, and totally reliable
TL;DR: This dual USB-C and USB-A 1TB storage drive offers fast, secure, and versatile storage — ideal for techies, professionals, or anyone who needs more space at $69.97 with free shipping until December 8.
Dual USB-C and USB-A compatibility makes it easy to use across multiple devices, from laptops to tablets and more
High-speed USB 3.2 technology delivers quick read/write speeds, so you can transfer large files efficiently without delays
1TB storage capacity means you have space for all your big files, from presentations to photos and videos
Rugged, waterproof, dustproof, and anti-drop design protects your data in all environments, offering reliability wherever you go
Portable and compact — this drive fits easily in your pocket or bag, perfect for professionals on the move or anyone needing flexible storage
Through December 8, get secure, fast, and versatile storage that fits in your pocket with this 1TB dual USB-C and USB-A high-speed flash drive for $69.97 (reg. $109).
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: UGR Tech Dual USB-C + USB-A 3.2 High Speed Flash Drive (1TB) $69.97$109.99 Save $40.02 Get Deal
Give the gift of 13 ports in one tiny stocking stuffer for $25 off
TL;DR: Give the ultimate connectivity gift with this 13-in-1 docking station — a stocking stuffer that packs ports galore for $44.97 through December 15.
Holiday shopping for someone who’s always juggling cables and running out of ports? This 13-in-1 docking station for $44.97 (reg. $70) is the ultimate stocking stuffer for anyone with a love for gadgets — and a serious need for more connectivity.
With a compact design that belies its power, this docking station packs 13 different ports, including two HDMI outputs, USB 3.0, USB-C, SD and microSD slots, and even an Ethernet port. It’s the kind of stocking stuffer that transforms a cluttered desk into a streamlined workspace, making it a thoughtful gift for techies, remote workers, and anyone looking to keep their devices plugged in and ready to go.
One of the highlights is its dual HDMI outputs, letting them extend or mirror their display to two additional screens in crisp 4K. For those who thrive on multitasking or need a more immersive workspace, this feature alone makes the dock a game-changer. And with its high-speed USB 3.0 and USB-C ports, transferring files and charging devices happens quickly, keeping productivity levels high.
Small enough to slip into a stocking yet packed with enough power to handle multiple devices, this docking station will make their tech life infinitely easier. From office setups to home entertainment systems, this 13-in-1 dock brings versatile connectivity to all their favorite devices.
So, if you’re looking for a stocking stuffer that’ll actually make an impact, the 13-in-1 Docking Station with Dual HDMI is a winning choice — on sale as an early Black Friday offer for $44.97.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Opens in a new window Credit: Tech Zebra 13-in-1 Docking Station with Dual HDMI $44.97$70.00 Save $25.03 Get Deal
How one man lost $56,000 when he opened an Amazon store
Branden Lathan considered himself a savvy businessman. He'd invested in real estate and ecommerce side businesses. By day, he works as a cybersecurity professional.
Recently, however, Lathan lost $56,000 to an ecommerce scheme that allegedly defrauded its customers of at least $25 million, according to a lawsuit filed in September by the Federal Trade Commission. The action was part of a broader crackdown on companies claiming a competitive edge thanks to artificial intelligence.
The FTC lawsuit refers to the company as Ascend CapVentures Inc., but during a period when many clients say they were defrauded, it operated as Ascend CapVentures Inc. and more recently rebranded as ACV.
The FTC alleges that Ascend CapVentures Inc. founders lined their pockets with their customers' money, rather than spend it on their stores.
SEE ALSO: One thing to know before you buy a gift cardAscend CapVentures attorney Jonathan D. Herpy, of the firm Hart David Carson, previously provided a statement on the FTC suit to Law.com.
"Our opinion, from a corporate counsel standpoint, is that Ascend takes all of these regulatory matters very seriously and is committed to full compliance with the FTC guidelines," Herpy told Law.com.
Mashable contacted the company's legal representatives multiple times by phone and email for a response to the allegations but didn't receive one. In October, the company's lawyers submitted a response to the FTC lawsuit in a federal district court, denying all of the agency's charges.
Lathan became ensnared in the alleged scam because he'd hoped to reap profits from the pandemic-era surge in ecommerce. In 2022, he borrowed against his home equity and paid a company, called Ascend CapVentures Inc. at the time, to open and manage an Amazon store on his behalf. That was $40,000.
Then, over the period of his contract, Lathan paid Ascend CapVentures Inc. $18,968 to stock his store, using a business credit card and his home equity loan. The company struggled to notch any meaningful sales or produce profit for Lathan's store, and it didn't deliver on its ambitious sales projections, which were supposed to reach six figures within a year.
It couldn't even properly sell merchandise, according to the FTC complaint, which alleges that the company purchased counterfeit goods to sell in its clients' stores.
Lathan, who spoke to the FTC under penalty of perjury, told investigators that Ascend CapVentures Inc. stocked his store with counterfeit products, which led to its deactivation. The meager profit Lathan says he made, which reduced his losses from nearly $59,000 to $56,000, were from items later identified as counterfeit.
Lathan has a warning for anyone considering opening their own ecommerce store on platforms like Amazon, Walmart, and TikTok, in partnership with a management firm.
"I would say the most important thing is that this space is so overcrowded," Lathan says. "There's too much saturation in the market…then you have people trying to capitalize on that, like all these scammers."
Learn the warning signs of an ecommerce store scam by reading this story.
How it started: a passive income business opportunityLathan first learned about Ascend CapVentures Inc. in 2022, when he was searching for opportunities to generate passive income. These offers are all over social media, peddled by influencers who often flaunt luxury purchases they've allegedly made with their passive income. Their promises are often empty or purposely deceptive, particularly when their pitch involves making a lot of money with little to no work.
Lathan learned about Ascend CapVentures Inc. while listening to Business with Beers, a podcast that he trusted. The company's co-founder, Will Basta, talked persuasively about it successful operation.
The part of the interview that hooked Lathan was when the podcast host said he bought his own store. Mashable confirmed this account with host, Brian Beers, who acknowledged he'd become a victim, too. Beers removed the episode in the fall of 2022, when he "felt something wasn't right."
Lathan researched Ascend CapVentures Inc. by checking its website and social media accounts. He even found one former Ascend CapVentures Inc. customer on Reddit, who described his experience as neither terrible nor great—but noted that he made back his original $40,000 investment.
Lathan reviewed the company's contract with his girlfriend at the time, who was a lawyer. It had a buyback clause, which reassured Lathan. If an owner didn't recoup their expenses within two years, Ascend CapVentures Inc. would purchase the store back from them, for the difference between the initial investment and the customer's profits. Lathan knew opening a store wasn't risk-free, but he put "faith" in the contract.
"As long as I keep my end of the bargain, which I plan to do and I did do, I'm pretty safe with this investment," Lathan thought at the time.
Before signing his contract, Lathan also spoke to Basta and the company's director of partnerships. He watched glowing testimonial videos of purported Ascend CapVentures Inc. clients, provided to him by Basta. Lathan thought he'd done everything in his power to rule out the possibility of a scam.
How it went: deceived into selling counterfeit goodsIn May 2022, Lathan signed a contract to open a Fulfilled by Amazon store, and wired Ascend CapVentures Inc. the $40,000 fee. Under this model, Ascend CapVentures Inc. would purchase products to be stored in its own warehouse, then send them in bulk to Amazon for shipping. The agreement gave Ascend CapVentures Inc. 30 percent of his store's monthly net profits.
Within weeks, Lathan was concerned. Ascend CapVentures Inc. switched its model to "Fulfilled by Merchant," putting the company directly in charge of shipping to customers, and began drop shipping, or using third parties to send customers their orders, a practice that's permitted on Amazon only if certain guidelines are followed.
Ascend CapVentures Inc. also failed to meet timelines for stocking the store, and its representatives were slow to respond or unresponsive, according to Lathan. Basta told Lathan to stay patient and give his team space to work, according to Lathan's FTC declaration.
After several months of poor sales, and back and forth with Basta and other company employees, Lathan learned from Amazon in December 2022 that his store had violated the company's shipping policies. He received similar notices in May and August of 2023.
In the spring of the same year, Lathan got more bad news: a major vitamin company sent him cease and desist letters for selling their products without authorization.
Lathan told FTC investigators that when he notified Ascend CapVentures Inc., the company liquidated those products from his store, offering them for extremely low prices. They sold quickly, but made Lathan no money. He believes Ascend disobeyed the cease and desist, and that the vitamin brand didn't realize the products had been sold.
In June 2023, Lathan tried to hold Ascend CapVentures Inc. accountable by posting a critical review of the company to Trustpilot. Lathan told FTC investigators that Ascend CapVentures Inc.'s legal and compliance team found the review and said that he'd violated his terms of service by writing it, and that he could be held liable for defamation as a result.
Honest reviews are protected by federal law, which Lathan knew. But under legal threat, and feeling pressure to modify what he'd written, he made changes to the review, noting that he'd edited certain statements to comply with the company's terms of service. Ascend CapVentures Inc. told him that admission again violated those terms.
The company also offered to make things right if he removed the review altogether. Lathan hoped the arrangement would turn his store around, so he removed the review. Ascend CapVentures Inc. soon told Lathan they could buy him inventory for which they'd projected a return of at least 20 percent.
What happened next doomed his store. After an initial round of robust sales, he got more letters from Amazon, this time concerning makeup and moisturizing products from major brands that appeared to be inauthentic. Then Amazon told him merchandise from a notable skincare brand in his store might be fake, too. By September, Amazon deactivated his store because of concerns about authenticity. It never reopened.
The fallout of an alleged ecommerce store scamLathan requested a full refund in October, which Ascend CapVentures Inc. rejected. Lathan, along with other Ascend victims who'd convened in a private Facebook group that he'd created, decided to hire a lawyer.
When that lawyer contacted Ascend CapVentures Inc. earlier this year, Lathan says he discovered he was no longer able to communicate with the company via Slack. The group's lawyer dropped their mass arbitration claim once it became clear that the FTC was investigating Ascend CapVentures Inc.
Lathan is still grappling with the financial fallout of working with Ascend CapVentures Inc. He used most of his savings to pay off the $35,000 balance on his home equity loan, because the interest rate jumped to 10 percent. That money had been earmarked for home repairs, like fixing cracked and leaking bathroom tile. But the loss has also affected Lathan's mental health. He's felt sad and angry.
"I'm someone who's worked very hard my whole life to get everything I have," he says.
While Lathan doesn't expect to get all of his money back, the FTC investigation has given him hope that Ascend CapVentures Inc. won't be able to escape accountability.
He's committed to seeing the case through: "Personally I'm not stopping until I feel like I'm whole in one way or another."
The best gifts for toddlers according to a mom
As a mom of two, I've spent many hours playing with my kids. I pay close attention to which toys and books bring them joy — and which get tossed into a corner. So when compiling this list of the best gifts for toddlers, I went right to the source. Part of our bigger series dedicated to finding the Best Gifts For Everyone, what follows is a list of the best toddler gifts, according to my 4-year-old and 1-year-old. What you won't see here is any distinction between genders: All toys are for all kids. Every single thing here is something that my kids play with often. And while the best gifts for big kids and teen girls can be heavily influenced by trends, the best gifts for toddlers are more timeless, encouraging open-ended play and learning. Every item here would make an excellent gift, whether it's Christmas, Hannukkah, a birthday, or otherwise.
Joy portrays the birth of IVF as well as fertility stigma. Has much changed today?
A tender take on an incredible true story, Netflix's Joy tells the story of the scientists who pioneered the investigation that created the world’s first baby born through in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Their research in the late '60s, early '70s changed the lives of many — since then, over 12 million babies have been born as a result of IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies like it.
Directed by Ben Taylor, Joy is true to life in more ways than one, as the script was not only based on history but was co-written by Jack Thorne and his wife Rachel Mason, inspired by their own fertility struggles and experiences with IVF. Joy follows the lives of embryologist Jean Purdy (Thomasin Mackenzie), surgeon Patrick Steptoe (Bill Nighy), and scientist Robert Edwards (James Norton) as they fight opposition from church, state, and the media towards their work.
SEE ALSO: What is reproductive justice? Check out these resources to learn about the movement.But how much has really changed since then in terms of social stigma and discrimination around fertility and pregnancy?
Joy zones in on harmful social stigma around fertility Thomasin McKenzie as Jean Purdy as James Norton as Robert Edwards in "Joy." Credit: Kerry Brown / NetflixJoy provides a telling snapshot of the ways that societal attitudes hindered the progress of the IVF investigation and establishment of the Bourn Hall Fertility Clinic in Cambridge, and how these views personally impacted not only the team working on it but the women who courageously volunteered to take part — they called themselves the Ovum Club.
As the leading nurse and embryologist on the project, Jean suffers in her personal life. She is excommunicated by her devoutly religious mother Gladys (Joanna Scanlan) and church community for her work, and is especially criticised for working alongside Steptoe, who was part of a minority of doctors who performed legal abortions at the time, to the outrage of many. We even see Jean grapple with the tension between abortion and her faith, with one poignant scene seeing operating theatre supervisor Muriel "Matron" Harris (Tanya Moodie) reminding her of the overarching importance of providing women with a choice — whether that means giving them a chance to conceive using science or end a pregnancy.
Thomasin McKenzie as Jean Purdy. Credit: Kerry Brown / NetflixJean and Robert receive huge amounts of harassment in the film, with Robert heckled on live TV, taunted in the street, and called "Dr Frankenstein" for his efforts, with the words painted on the outer walls of the clinic. The women involved in the experiment (brought to the screen by actors such as Derry Girls star Louisa Harland as Rachel, Bridgerton’s Harriet Cains as Gail, and Carla Harrison-Hodge as Alice) aren’t safe from society’s judgement either, or fertility (and infertility) stigma. Newspapers hound them during their treatment, offering thousands of pounds to the scientists for their names and addresses — all in the service of invading their privacy to shame them for their choice.
The film's examination of infertility is personal for its protagonist; Jean's enduring issues with endometriosis and infertility are a key arc in Joy. Endometriosis — a gynaecological condition that makes it harder to conceive — is under researched to this day, and was even more so in the 1960s and 1970s, generating shame in women who were made to feel it was their fault they couldn’t conceive. Jean expands on this in a heartbreaking scene, explaining that so many women (including herself) feel lost without this ability, whatever the cause. As well as being vilified for seeking out IVF as an alternative, Jean reflects, patriarchal society determines the worth of these women by their ability to become a mother — an attitude that prevails today, arguably, and feeds into pregnancy, fertility and infertility stigma.
Where does fertility stigma come from?Sadly, fertility stigma is as deeply embedded in our history as it is in our modern culture. For instance, noble women in medieval Japan faced judgement within their marriages if they did not produce children, while 19th century France saw doctors accuse women who didn't have children as being promiscuous, of having venereal disease, and having abortions. Even as recently as the mid 20th century — around the time where Joy is set — women were accused of committing “adultery” if they conceived by using artificial insemination by donor sperm. The suffering and vilification of women due to motherhood being viewed as the ultimate marker of femininity, and the traditional methods of conception being prioritised over women’s health and wellness, can be tracked through the centuries.
The law's impact on our reproductive choices A protester in Trafalgar Square, London, in 2022 following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v Wade. Credit: Vuk Valcic / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty ImagesWe’ve seen a shift in attitudes towards fertility and pregnancy since the era Joy is set. However, we’ve also seen this manifest in different ways, solidifying into law and limiting how women make decisions around their bodies — the most prominent example being the U.S. Supreme Court's overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022 and subsequent state abortion bans.
In October in the UK, following heavy campaigning, England and Wales passed a law to make mandatory safe access buffer zones at a 150-metre radius around all abortion clinics. This will provide protection for women accessing this healthcare, with activity designed to influence women or which causes harassment, alarm, or distress all banned by law. Reports of harassment continued all the way up to the ban, with British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) CEO Heidi Stewart reporting women being called "murderers and having leaflets shoved at them falsely claiming abortion causes breast cancer."
Stewart describes the buffer zones as "a crucial step in ensuring that women can access essential healthcare without fear, shame, or intimidation."
But Stewart is clear that there is much further to go to combat fertility and pregnancy stigma, and points to the importance of "remaining vigilant and relentless in the protection of abortion rights for women" — a sentiment shared by the U.S.-based Center for Reproductive Rights.
After all, in the U.S., such stigma remains ever more volatile and threatening, particularly with November's re-election of Donald Trump, who played a key role in overturning Roe v. Wade, causing abortion to be nearly or completely banned in 17 states.
SEE ALSO: How to support reproductive rights in the U.S. from outside the U.S.“When issues of reproductive rights are allowed to fester in silence, stigma grows,” Stewart explains. "If the ongoing events in the United States have taught us anything – it’s that remaining silent on reproductive rights is no longer an option."
It's crucial that such attitudes and actions are questioned to quell the spread of stigma on both sides of the Atlantic, so that the choices the team represented in Joy fought for are protected for all women.
How fertility stigma impacts women's experience in the workplaceWe also know that this kind of discrimination doesn’t just surround a person’s attempts to become pregnant or their decision to end a pregnancy. Joeli Brearley, CEO and founder of Pregnant Then Screwed (PTS) — a charity dedicated to ending "the motherhood penalty" which encompasses the impacts motherhood has on women's careers — says that their experiences and progression in the workplace are affected too.
“Women are seen as distracted and less committed to their job from the point they get pregnant,” she explains. “So we need managers to be trained in unconscious bias and to understand the business reasons for looking after pregnant employees."
Brearley adds that women have been found to be scared to discuss fertility treatment with their employer for fear of discrimination. "According to our research, one in four women who are undergoing fertility treatment experience unfair treatment as a result," Brearley says. Once women return to work after having a child, the situation doesn’t necessarily improve – according to PTS research, 77 percent of women experience discrimination when they return to work. “It's not a 'mum' problem, it's a societal problem,” she explains.
The pioneering team represented in Joy faced such backlash and treatment, as did the self-described Ovum Club of women who participated in the early IVF tests. Their fertility was dismissed as a serious and impactful health issue back in the '60s, with personal, private choices around pregnancy made fodder for the public to debate. And decades later, we're not out of the woods yet. Much more needs to change for the stigma to truly be lifted, and for women to feel free.
“When women can make these deeply personal decisions without fear of public judgement or confrontation," Stewart says, "we are affirming their right to choose and reinforcing that fertility and pregnancy choices should be free from stigma."
NASA spotted a very young planet. It could become a super-Earth.
Astronomers got lucky.
NASA has confirmed over 5,780 worlds beyond our solar system, called exoplanets. But it's rare to detect a juvenile, still-maturing planet, because they inhabit chaotic systems that are flush with obscuring dust and gas. By chance, this distant debris has parted, allowing researchers using the sensitive cameras aboard the space agency's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) to spot such a planet.
"A huge planet with a long name – IRAS 04125+2902 b – is really just a baby: only 3 million years old," NASA recently explained. "And because such infant worlds are usually hidden inside obscuring disks of debris, it is the youngest planet so far discovered using the dominant method of planet detection." (For reference, our middle-aged planet, Earth, is some 4.5 billion years old.)
SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.Most exoplanets today are discovered by the "transit method," wherein a telescope watches for slight dips in a star's brightness — caused by a transiting planet. Although the method doesn't work if the star and greater solar system are shrouded in debris, a research team found that the ring of debris in IRAS 04125+2902 b's solar system has become "sharply warped," thus revealing the baby world. Their research is published in the science journal Nature.
What might have caused this unusual warping? It's unclear, though the researchers have ideas. Unlike the sun, most stars have stellar companions (called binary systems), including the stars in this distant solar system. It's possible that this companion star's gravity and influence could have stoked a shift in the nascent planetary disk; however, there's no evidence of such an effect. It's also possible the young planet got bumped out of its obscured orbit by another larger object in space, but there's no evidence of that yet, either.
The young world, some 430 light-years away, orbits close to its star and has a mass that's at most one-third of the gas giant Jupiter, yet measurements show it's about the same diameter as Jupiter (at 88,846 miles, or 142,984 kilometers, across, Jupiter is 11 times wider than Earth). This suggests its developing atmosphere is inflated, and will trim down. But into what?
An artist's conception of the young world IRAS 04125+2902 b in front of its star. To the left is the developing solar system's thick ring of dust and gas. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / R. Hurt / K. Miller (Caltech/IPAC)Over many millions of years, NASA suspects the young world could mature into either of the most common planets found in our Milky Way galaxy: a "super-Earth" or mini-Neptune.
A mini-Neptune, as it sounds, is a gaseous world between the size of Earth and Neptune. A super-Earth, of which astronomers have found many intriguing examples, is a world ranging from some 30 to 70 percent bigger than Earth. It can be rocky (like Earth) or largely composed of thick, swirling gases. Or both. Around one-third of exoplanets discovered so far are super-Earths, meaning they're awfully common in other solar systems. And if they inhabit, or eventually inhabit, a temperate region of a solar system, such a rocky world could potentially harbor water, a crucial ingredient for life on Earth.
Your future is long-lived and open, IRAS 04125+2902 b. What will you become?
Im a tech editor, and these are the early Black Friday deals threatening my wallet
Every year ahead of Black Friday, my editors say: Stan, you've been doing this a long time. You can surely find the best Black Friday tech deals out there. To this, I say: But I already have all the gadgets in the world. I don't need anything. Go away! A brawl breaks out.
OK, not really. It's my job to write about tech, sometimes including Black Friday stuff. But I do have a hill I'm prepared to die on: I'm only ever going to write about deals that I, personally, think are really good. This year, the angle is this: Are there any deals out there that are so enticing that would make me splurge, even though I'm already drowning in gadgets?
As it turns out, there are! Not a ton, mind you. The criteria was as follows: The price has to be lower than I've ever seen, and the gadget on offer has to be something that's really worth spending money. I'm looking at you, battery powered cuckoo clock. Yes, that's an affiliate link. Yes, someone's gonna buy that. Yes, it's not even discounted. I don't care.
Back to business: Here are the best three early Black Friday deals I found:
The workhorse you need: Apple 2022 M2 MacBook Air, 13-inch Looks like the new one, and it's not far behind in terms of performance, either. Credit: AppleIf you already have a MacBook with an M-series chip, you probably don't need this. But if you're looking to buy a MacBook on the cheap, with nearly all the bells and whistles of the brand new models, this is the one to get.
You see, the cool thing about Apple's M-series chips is that they're so good, you don't need to get a device with the latest one. I have a MacBook Pro with an M1 chip inside and it's still perfectly capable of handling all my daily tasks. This means that the M2 chip, which is what you get with this 2022 MacBook Air, will be plenty fast for most users.
Another important note about this particular MacBook Air model is that it's the redesigned one. You're basically getting the latest design and a very capable chip at an incredible discount. What kind of discount? Well, the price is down to $750, a $150 discount off the standard $900 list price. That's for the version with 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD.
If you squint, the wallpaper says "Air." Credit: Mashable composite/AppleAlternatively, you can get the new, 2024 MacBook Air at a pretty sweet discount: The 13-inch version costs $849 (a $250 discount), while the 15-inch model costs $1,234 (again, down $250 from the standard asking price). We've got the details on that deal over here.
In my mind, however, the $750 price is pretty unbeatable for a MacBook Air that will surely serve you well for many years to come.
The high-end phone you crave: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra The end boss of Samsung phones. Credit: SamsungEvery year, a new Samsung Galaxy Ultra phone comes out, and I cry. I cry tears of sadness because it's the best one, but it's also just so damn pricy. To refresh your memory, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra started at $1,299 when it launched.
Now, however, is your chance to get that exact phone for less. A lot less. Right now, Amazon lists this phone at $949.99, a full 27% off the original price.
It's been out for more than half a year, yes. But it's still the most powerful smartphone in Samsung's lineup, with a monster 200-megapixel main camera, a 6.8-inch, 120Hz, edge-to-edge display, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. Oh, and it also supports Samsung's S Pen. The phone is only available in titanium violet at this price, but the color is subdued enough to fit most tastes.
If you need more storage, there's an even bigger saving (in absolute dollar terms) to be had, as the same device with 512GB of storage costs $1,069.99, $350 off the full list price of $1,419.99. It's not a small amount of money, but if you get this, you've beaten the Android end boss. This is it, there aren't any phones more powerful than this. Congratulations.
The stupendously big TV: Hisense 75-inch Class QD6 Series QLED 4K TV It has a long name, but you only need to remember the following: It's a 75 inches 4K TV for $449.99. Credit: HiSenseHey, I know what you're thinking. You don't really need a 75-inch, 4K TV. But this is where it is my job and solemn duty to tell you that's wrong. You need a 75-inch TV. All the stuff you've been hearing about TVs being too big for your living room? Nonsense. A TV should be as large as manageable and permitted by architectural boundaries. Period.
Now that we've got that settled, our TV recommendation for this early Black Friday deal is this 75-inch HiSense QLED. It costs just $449.99, which is $250 less than usual. Had someone told you a decade ago you'd be able to buy a 75-inch TV for under $500, you'd probably say "I know, prices of gadgets go down all the time." OK, smarty pants. You still need to get this TV, though. It's time.
We've got some of the specs highlights for this model here. The most important bit, in my humble opinion, is that HiSense TVs have slowly but surely gotten better over the years, and are now very close to being just as good to those from the biggest brands.
Beware of scams when opening your own ecommerce store
Blanca started with $60,000 in cash and a well-researched plan.
She hoped to supplement her full-time employment income to spend more time on her artistic passions, and also create generational wealth for her family.
Blanca thought so-called passive income, earned from a range of investments, could make that dream a reality.
In 2023, while working at a startup, Blanca had already dabbled in cryptocurrency and exchange-traded funds. She was exploring real estate purchases. One day, though, she saw online ads for something called Amazon automation.
The premise seemed simple. You paid a management company with ecommerce experience to run an Amazon store on your behalf. You fronted the cash, and they took care of identifying, ordering, warehousing, and shipping inventory. Each party took a share of the proceeds.
SEE ALSO: 'Nobody is immune': Don't fall for a Bitcoin ATM scam"I was intrigued," Blanca, now 29, said. "It seemed like a fair trade for not doing any work." (To protect her privacy, Blanca asked that only her first name be used in this story.)
Blanca proceeded to research different Amazon automation companies, eliminating ones that seemed "scammy." She ultimately chose one called Ascend Ecom at the time, which she'd learned about in an online ad.
She conducted in-depth research and had detailed conversations with a salesperson, who claimed to own an Amazon store through the company. A few months later, she wired Ascend Ecom $60,000 to open her own store.
Despite her best efforts to sniff out a scam, Blanca was the victim of an elaborate scheme that allegedly defrauded Ascend Ecom customers out of at least $25 million, according to a lawsuit recently filed by the Federal Trade Commission. Mashable reviewed the declaration Blanca made under threat of perjury to the FTC.
"It seemed like a fair trade for not doing any work." - Blanca, former Amazon store ownerThe FTC lawsuit refers to the company as Ascend CapVentures Inc., but during a period when many clients were allegedly defrauded, it operated as Ascend CapVentures Inc. and more recently rebranded as ACV.
Ascend CapVentures Inc. routinely promised customers they'd generate a five-figure monthly income after two years, but the FTC investigation found those claims to be misleading and false. Meanwhile, Ascend CapVentures Inc. didn't spend their customers' investments on managing their stores; instead, they used the cash to "enrich themselves," according to the FTC.
Ascend CapVentures Inc. attorney Jonathan D. Herpy, of the firm Hart David Carson, previously provided a statement on the FTC suit to Law.com.
"Our opinion, from a corporate counsel standpoint, is that Ascend takes all of these regulatory matters very seriously and is committed to full compliance with the FTC guidelines," Herpy told Law.com.
Mashable contacted the company's legal representatives multiple times by phone and email for a response to the allegations but didn't receive one. In October, the company's lawyers submitted a response to the FTC lawsuit in a federal district court, denying all of the agency's charges.
The FTC also took action against two other ecommerce storefront management companies, Ecommerce Empire Builders and FBA Machine, accusing them of similar fraud.
The enforcement actions revealed a massive risk in what many consumers often see as a lucrative opportunity to make money in ecommerce by opening their own Amazon, Walmart, TikTok, or Etsy store.
To these consumers, the risk can feel worthwhile when they consider post-pandemic online spending patterns and encounter flashy success stories on social media.
Read about how one man lost $56,000 after opening an Amazon store with Ascend CapVentures Inc.
But the FTC case against Ascend CapVentures Inc. identified what can go wrong, and how consumers might avoid the same fate. Mashable interviewed multiple alleged victims of Ascend CapVentures Inc., along with experts at the FTC and the National Consumers League, about warning signs that an ecommerce store opportunity might be a scam. Here are their recommendations:
Think twice about passive income business opportunitiesSo-called "passive income" business opportunities are nothing new, they've just gone digital, said Colleen Robbins, an attorney in the Bureau of Consumer Protection at the FTC.
Traditionally, these opportunities emphasize how consumers can invest in a money-making vehicle and earn profit with little to no work. Examples include real estate seminars and investment coaching programs, which often turn out to be pyramid or multi-level marketing scams. But consumers buy in thinking they're going to learn how to become wealthy.
Now, given the exponential growth of ecommerce in recent years, scammers are using online store ownership to lure consumers hoping to achieve the same goal of turning their initial investment into financial freedom.
But Robbins urges consumers to remain skeptical of these pitches.
"If the business opportunity promises guaranteed income, large returns, or a proven system, it's likely a scam," she said.
Know your rightsThe FTC's business opportunity rule actually contains numerous protections for consumers, but prospective online store owners may never learn about those legal rights.
Blanca said she wasn't aware of them, despite conducting what she considered to be rigorous research. Three other alleged Ascend CapVentures Inc. victims interviewed by Mashable also didn't learn about those protections until after they'd lost their investment.
Under this FTC rule, companies that offer a business opportunity, like ownership of an online store, are required to share with customers a disclosure document prior to them signing a document or making a payment.
This paperwork has vital information about the business, including where it's located, who operates it, and whether it's the subject of legal action. Additionally, the company has to provide evidence of its earnings claims, which must reference all purchasers within the last three years, along with their contact information.
Robbins said that any problems with the disclosure documents, such as missing information about earnings claims or unreachable clients, should be considered a red flag.
Be skeptical of big, upfront cash investmentsLooking back, Ascend CapVentures Inc. victim Scott Gardner can confidently say that spending $30,000 to open an Amazon store was a red flag. At the time, though, it seemed a reasonable investment.
Now, he would recommend any prospective customer avoid business opportunities that require a big cash payment at the outset, and fraud prevention experts agree.
Robbins said to be particularly skeptical if a company wants your bank account or credit card information prior to answering questions about the business opportunity. If this request is delivered with a sense of urgency or other high-pressure sales tactics, it's best to proceed with caution.
Flashy ads can be a warning signJohn Breyault, vice president of public policy, telecommunications and fraud at National Consumers League, said there's an "army of influencers" promoting a lavish lifestyle on social media who will teach you their "secrets" for generating passive income — for a price, of course.
Indeed, customers interested in opening an ecommerce store often encounter social media marketing and advertising with extravagant displays of wealth, including luxury cars and homes, as proof that it's a highly lucrative opportunity.
These influencers may insist you can earn a tantalizing $20,000 a month, for example, but don't explain how much you have to spend on overhead, inventory, and other costs. Breyault said to treat flashy ads with suspicion. But even more restrained marketing may still obscure the fact that store operators can easily spend as much as they bring in.
Buyback programs and other failsafes are no guaranteeJamaal Sanford, who lost $35,000 to Ascend CapVentures Inc., said that the company's purported "buyback guarantee" factored into his decision to open an Amazon store with the company. Per that offer, clients could ask Ascend CapVentures Inc. to purchase the store back from them, for the difference between the initial investment and the client's profits, when the owner didn't recoup their expenses within a certain time period.
Sanford requested a buyback multiple times without success. The FTC's investigation found that Ascend CapVentures Inc. made it "exceedingly difficult to obtain a refund even when clients fulfilled the requirements."
"[C]onsumers consistently learned that Ascend's buyback process was largely an illusion and its 'risk-free' investment opportunity was nothing of the kind," the FTC wrote in its complaint against Ascend CapVentures Inc.
Talk to real clientsGardner regrets not having spoken directly to any successful Ascend CapVentures Inc. clients before agreeing to purchase his Amazon store through them. Instead, he relied on screenshots of testimonials from people who were portrayed as customers, in addition to speaking with company salespeople and its founders.
Because of FTC regulations, consumers interested in a business opportunity have a right to get a list of clients, along with their contact information.
Breyault, of the National Consumers League, urges consumers to take advantage of this information, and also recommends attempting to talk with clients who've not been "cherry picked" by the company.
This can mean searching online forums like Reddit for clients willing to share their candid experiences.
Read the reviewsSimilar to online forums, reviews can help consumers identify warning signs that a business opportunity might be a scam. Breyault recommends checking a company's standing on its Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot pages.
Still, positive reviews don't guarantee that a company is honest, Robbins said. They could be false or misleading. She suggests that consumers also conduct online searches for the company's founders or leadership to see if there are complaints or related reviews.
Post reviewsSome consumers may hold back negative reviews fearing retribution from the company with which they've contracted.
Jamaal Sanford told the FTC that he and his wife received threats from someone who appeared to be affiliated with Ascend CapVentures Inc. after he published a negative review of the company. The agency wrote in its complaint that Ascend CapVentures Inc. threatened its clients with legal action when they would not retract honest but negative reviews.
Under the Consumer Review Fairness Act, contracts are not allowed to contain clauses that restrict a consumer's ability to post a review.
Don't let AI claims fool youThe FTC filed its complaint against Ascend CapVentures Inc. as part of Operation AI Comply, a crackdown on businesses using claims about artificial intelligence to hype their products or services.
Starting in 2023, Ascend CapVentures Inc. used a "deceptive sales pitch" that sometimes described the company's business model as powered by AI, according to the FTC. They told clients that the company's proprietary software would maximize their business success, and said clients would reap profit margins as high as 50 percent. The FTC says these claims were false.
"Don't let that hype cloud your judgment." - Colleen Robbins, Federal Trade CommissionRobbins warns consumers to be skeptical of claims related to technology, especially when it involves AI.
"Don't let that hype cloud your judgment," she said.
Know what to do if you think you've been scammedIf you think you're the victim of a fraudulent passive income business opportunity, which can include paying a company to open an ecommerce store, you should report it to the FTC, Robbins said. Consumers can expect to receive relevant information after filing their report to the agency.
You can also report suspected fraud to your state attorney general, and the state in which the business is listed. Both the FTC and other law enforcement agencies use these reports every day in their work.
Like many of the Ascend CapVentures Inc. victims, who've formed a private Facebook group to discuss their experiences, some people also seek support from others who know what they're enduring.
Blanca did exactly that by locating other clients on Reddit when she first suspected Ascend CapVentures Inc. might be deceiving her. Now she's focused on moving forward and tries not to be hard on herself for Ascend CapVentures Inc.'s wrongdoing.
"Victims shouldn't feel bad. We got taken advantage of," Blanca said. "They knew the system, they knew it very well."
20 of the best reality shows on Hulu for when you need an escape
Reality TV has come a long way since MTV plopped a bunch of twentysomethings in an artsy loft, trained cameras on them, and left them to their own devices for a few months way back in 1992. Now our reality TV choices are seemingly limitless — from ruthless restaurateurs to fabulous, multitalented drag fantasies; from rich and ruthless housewives to hardcore survivalists living by their wits.
If any of that sounds like fun, you’re in good company! Hulu has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to reality TV. We’ve sifted through the digital dross to find you the best.
1. Bachelor Nation Is he here for the right reasons? Credit: ABCThe Bachelor began way back in 2002 with a simple premise: Take one dude (Alex Michel) and a bevy of single ladies competing for his attentions — as signified by red roses doled out at the end of almost every episode — with the aforementioned dude eliminating women until he was left with the one he wanted to marry. Along the way, the ladies participated in challenging adventures, group dates, and sometimes embarrassing activities — all in the name of love (and social media infamy). The original show was spun off into The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise, among others, along with an entire media ecosystem devoted to scrutinizing Who’s Here for the Right Reasons. There's plenty of behind-the-scenes drama, too. — Jenni Miller, Contributing Writer
How to watch: The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, and Bachelor in Paradise are all available to stream on Hulu.
2. CatfishBack in 2010, the Sundance documentary Catfish took viewers by storm as they watched a lovelorn suitor named Nev Schulman fall for a young woman he meets on Facebook only to have it all unravel when he discovers the truth about his virtual girlfriend. Even now, the movie is a stunner that leaves audiences wondering who was catfishing whom. Schulman took his newfound notoriety and put it to work under the auspices of helping others tricked by Internet paramours in this hypnotizing TV show. Watch for shocking truths about the people we think we know best, online or off. — J.M.
How to watch: Catfish is available to stream on Hulu.
SEE ALSO: 11 best true-crime docs about scammers, con artists, and deadly deceptions 3. Love Island (UK)The Love Island franchise originated in the UK and has spawned little amorous archipelagoes in Denmark, France, Finland, and Australia, among other countries, where bikini-clad singletons mix and mingle in sexy climes. Unlike The Bachelor franchise, the emphasis is on “coupling up” and enjoying “a good craic,” hopefully with someone who is “fit” and tan with good teeth who is ideally “a bit of me” rather than rushing to the altar, which makes for a more laidback and somewhat less frenzied vibe. Plus, whoever the audience chooses as the best couple brings home a bushel of cold, hard cash on top of those sweet vacation tans. — J.M.
How to watch: Love Island (UK) is available to stream on Hulu.
4. Kitchen Nightmares Credit: Granada / Optomen TV / A Smith Co. / Kobal / ShutterstockDo you want to find out what all of those Gordon Ramsay memes are about? Of course you do! On Kitchen Nightmares, the famous chef uses his culinary expertise to help restaurateurs with struggling businesses — but sometimes these places are beyond help. Whether it's the staff's cooking techniques (or lack thereof), dated or downright dirty décor, interpersonal problems, financial mismanagement, or something else altogether going wrong at these restaurants, we can trust Ramsay's vivid vocabulary to never fail us. — J.M.
If you enjoy his whole deal, there's also Hotel Hell, MasterChef, and MasterChef Junior to keep you occupied!
How to watch: Kitchen Nightmares is available to stream on Hulu.
5. Hot OnesIt's become inordinately difficult to get a fresh angle on the celebrity interview, but Sean Evans cracked the code with Hot Ones. To be fair, there aren't that many famous folks who are game to try eating increasingly spicy chicken wings on camera while being interviewed… but the ones who are give good interview indeed. Hulu has the first four seasons of this insanely popular YouTube show, which includes everyone from Billie Eilish and the Jackass guys to none other than Guy Fieri getting into it. — J.M.
How to watch: Hot Ones is available to stream on Hulu.
6. Jersey ShoreJersey Shore is a pop culture phenomenon, and if you haven't acquainted yourself with this piece of recent history, it's time to add it to your list. MTV's hit show follows the ins and outs of eight friends vacationing in Seaside Heights, New Jersey. Things get crazy. Insults are thrown. Fights erupt. And the result is reality TV at its absolute finest, from the people that arguably made it what it is. There are one too many quotable lines from Jersey Shore, so buckle up for the wildest, tequila-infused ride imaginable. It's trash TV, and it's incredible. — Yasmeen Hamadeh, Freelance Contributor
How to watch: Jersey Shore is available to stream on Hulu.
7. Drag Me to Dinner Credit: Jeong Park / HuluDrag AND dinner parties? Sign us up! Hosted by the one and only Murray Hill (Somebody Somewhere), Drag Me to Dinner pits two teams of drag queens against each other to throw the perfect drag dinner party. The criteria? All teams must stick to the theme, deliver a delicious feast, and do it all in drag, with top-notch entertainment to match. If that hasn't already sold you, David Burtka, Neil Patrick Harris, Haneefah Wood, and the incomparable Bianca Del Rio all serve as judges, and things get oh, so wonderfully wacky and chaotically camp pretty quickly. — Y.H.
How to watch: Drag Me to Dinner is now streaming on Hulu.
8. America's Next Top ModelYes, it's outdated. Yes, there's a lot wrong with it. Yes, Tyra Banks put these girls to hell and back. But America's Next Top Model unfortunately remains one of the most entertaining reality shows ever, as well a well-needed lesson in pop culture — if only for single-handedly launching a thousand memes. In the show, 14 aspiring models undergo a slew challenges to become America's next top model and win a cash prize. The challenges are so ridiculous, like that forsaken runway with swinging pendulums, that you might as well be watching the show out of horror or bemusement. And in my book, that's great reality TV. — Y.H.
How to watch: America's Next Top Model is now streaming on Hulu.
9. Project RunwayFor all the fashion aficionados, this one's for you. Project Runway, which is now in its 20th season, follows a group of aspiring designers and stylists competing against each other to win a coveted cash prize (plus other perks) to help them launch their own line. Through a series of unique challenges, contestants are slowly eliminated by a panel of judges that includes some of the industry's top designers. Be inspired by the art. Be inspired by the style. But be particularly inspired by all the backstabbing. — Y.H.
How to watch: Project Runway is now streaming on Hulu.
10. The Masked Singer Yes, there's a Muppets Night episode. Credit: FoxThis wildly popular singing competition show, which is based on the South Korean show King of Mask Singer, features a dizzying array of celebrities dressed up in costumes and belting out hits while judges Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy, Nicole Scherzinger, and Robin Thicke vote on the best performers and try to suss out which random celeb is dressed up as, like, a glittery beach ball or something. (We really cannot stress how surreal this show is.) Once the judges and audience members vote, the least-popular singer must reveal their identity. This goes on until the last episode, where the last celeb standing is presented with The Golden Mask. While the judges and audience members are given clues about who’s behind the mask, the behind-the-scenes security measures make the Oscars look low-key. — J.M.
How to watch: The Masked Singer is available to stream on Hulu.
11. MasterChef JuniorThese little kiddos would put The Bear's entire kitchen to shame. In MasterChef Junior, a group of young chefs, aged eight to thirteen, compete in a series of challenges where their dishes are judged by none other than Gordon Ramsay himself. But worry not! In this show, Ramsay is actually nice! And he's so good with the kids! Part of what makes MasterChef Junior particularly entertaining is seeing a different side to the irascible chef, which is delightfully paired with all the sheer talent exuding from its young contestants. While these kids are out here making an amuse-bouche, we're struggling with cereal. — Y.H.
How to watch: MasterChef Junior is now streaming on Hulu.
12. SurvivorTo some extent, reality TV is all about watching other people do things we’d rather not and then criticizing how they conduct themselves, and Survivor is the greatest example of that impulse. This extraordinarily popular long-running series drops competitors off in a remote location somewhere in the world where they’re left to team up and scramble for food, shelter, and other everyday necessities, as well as compete in challenges that may require anything from eating bugs to holding onto a buoy for almost 12 hours. The winner gets one million dollars, eternal bragging rights, and countless bug bites and tummy aches. There are 34 seasons of Survivor currently available on Hulu! — J.M.
How to watch: Survivor is available to stream on Hulu.
13. RuPaul's Drag Race RuPaul and Debbie Reynolds being legends Credit: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagesIt’s hard to remember a world before RuPaul brought drag into America’s living room with this effervescent show that melds creative competitions with performances and behind-the-scenes revelations, in addition to a fabulous stable of judges and guest stars. It made RuPaul a media mogul and turned its winning drag queens into household names, along with inspiring international spin-offs and Drag Race All-Stars. While there has been some controversy around Drag Race and its creator over the years, not to mention some of its contestants, it’s impossible to deny its imprint on the cultural landscape. — J.M.
How to watch: RuPaul’s Drag Race is available to stream on Hulu.
14. AloneThis is a reality show from the History channel, which gives it a whiff of authenticity. (Plus, it seems to be less salacious than, say, Naked or Afraid, which invites titillation just by the title. Not that there's anything wrong with that.) Competitors chronicle their day-to-day life as they try to survive by themselves in extreme environments like Patagonia, Mongolia, and the Arctic, with a minimum of supplies or interference from the outside world. Naturally, they can tap out at any time, but the winner could pocket anywhere from $500k to a cool one million smackeroos in the seventh season. In addition to cash and considerable bragging rights, the winner of the eighth season also came home with a cool hat he made himself from a deer he killed — after he ate its heart, of course. — J.M.
How to watch: Alone is available to stream on Hulu.
15. Forged in FireThis delightfully baroque competition series pits amateur bladesmiths with oft-extraordinary facial hair and tattoos against one another as they forge a variety of knives, swords, and other cutting implements, based on the various stipulations of each challenge. Not only is this a wildly dangerous hobby that requires lots of equipment and supplies, it also requires a ton of historical knowledge, artistry, and general steeliness of spirit. The most satisfying part of the show is when the judges test the implements against a variety of objects (including animal carcasses, which are then typically donated). When Doug Marcaida says, “It will cut!” it’s better than a handshake from Paul Hollywood. — J.M.
How to watch: Forged in Fire is available to stream on Hulu.
16. The Kardashians Credit: Courtesy of HuluIs The Kardashians as scandalous as Keeping Up With the Kardashians? Not really. But does the show still deliver unforgettable Kardashian moments we all hate to admit we love? Yes, it does. Whether you've missed watching Kim, Kourtney, and Khloe shake their salad bowls or Kris Jenner rallying the girls for a family meeting to discuss a PR crisis, The Kardashians is an elevated look into America's royal family at their absolute best — and worst. Come for all the drama, and stay for the iconic nasal fry. — Y.H.
How to watch: The Kardashians is available to stream on Hulu.
17. Shark TankIn Shark Tank, entrepreneurs get to pitch their budding small businesses to a bunch of high-powered tycoons like Mark Cuban, who can then choose to invest or negotiate further, as the case may be. There's nothing like watching a deal being hashed out — the free samples, the wheedling, the peacocking and snark — and then, finally, the decision that renders someone a millionaire or just some guy with a failed dream. It's ruthless. It's brutal. It's callous capitalism. If the venture capitalism of it all seems off-putting, worry not, because Shark Tank is equal parts hilarious drama and financial fluff — a 10/10 binge experience in every way. — Y.H.
How to watch: Shark Tank is available to stream on Hulu.
18. Secrets & Sisterhood: The Sozahdahs Credit: Courtesy of HuluIf you miss the old-school Kardashian days, Secrets & Sisterhood: The Sozahdahs is sure to fill up that family drama-shaped void in your life. The reality show follows 10 Muslim American sisters (Yes, there's 10 of them!), as they navigate their love lives and career amidst cultural expectations and conflicting identities. While there are some heartfelt moments in Secrets & Sisterhood, the show finds its true brilliance in how MESSY these girls can get. Expect explosive fights in each episode, drunk shenanigans, and so, so many secrets. Have your popcorn ready for this one. — Y.H.
How to watch: Secrets & Sisterhood: The Sozahdahs is now streaming on Hulu.
19. HoardersLike its name suggests, A&E's Hoarders looks into the lives of people who are compulsive hoarders and have, over the years, accumulated a house full of stuff. Each episode follows an intervention process for at least two participants, and things get intense. This award-winning show walks a fine line between exploitation and entertainment, as hoarding is classified in the DSM as a disorder that's part of the obsessive-compulsive spectrum. Problematic as it may be, the show's portrayal of extreme expressions of human behavior has proven irresistible to viewers, even after being cancelled and renewed in various iterations. — Y.H.
How to watch: Hoarders is available to stream on Hulu.
20. Married at First SightYou get what you signed up for with Married at First Sight, which reverses the standard dating order and has couples tying up the knot first, leaving the whole getting-to-know-you bit second. Watch as two complete strangers get paired up and then finally meet each other — on their wedding day. With the most awkward honeymoons ever under its belt, Married at First Sight is weirdly wild and is an easy binge for any evening. — Y.H.
How to watch: Married at First Sight is available to stream on Hulu.
Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu Get DealUPDATE: Nov. 20, 2024, 1:00 p.m. EST This post has been updated to reflect current streaming options.
How to watch BYU vs. Arizona State football without cable
The No. 14 BYU Cougars and the No. 21 Arizona State Sun Devils football teams go head-to-head this weekend at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. The match will take place on Saturday, Nov. 23, and is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT.
BYU lost it's undefeated record last week when it fell to unranked Kansas. The Cougars dropped in the AP Top 25 rankings from No. 6 to No. 14, while also falling out of the College Football Playoffs ranking. Now, the Big 12 may be up for grabs as Colorado and Arizona State wait in the wing.
Arizona State sits in third in the Big 12, earning their first AP Top 25 ranking since 2021. The Sun Devils are 8-2 overall and 5-2 in conference after a big win over then-ranked Kansas State last week. It was ASU football's second win over a ranked opponent this season.
SEE ALSO: How to watch college football without cable BYU vs. Arizona State football kickoff time and networkThe BYU vs. Arizona State football game is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT start on the ESPN on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Dave Pasch is expected to do the play-by-play, while Dusty Dvoracek will join him in the booth, and Taylor McGregor will be the sideline reporter.
Best streaming services for BYU vs. Arizona State football gameYou need to choose a streaming service to watch college football without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the BYU vs. Arizona State football game on ESPN.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV Pro plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
How to watch Memphis vs. Tulane football without cable
The No. 20 Tulane Green Wave and the Memphis Tigers teams go head-to-head this weekend at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana. The match will take place on Saturday, Nov. 23, and is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET/ 4:30 p.m. PT.
Tulane is 9-2 overall and 7-0 in conference. The Green Wave have won eight straight games including last week over Navy. Memphis is also 9-2 overall and 5-2 in conference. The Tigers have won four of their last five games, which has helped the Memphis team earn 38 votes towards being ranked in the AP Top 25.
A win over ranked Tulane would likely push Memphis into the Top 25, but the odds are heavily stacked against them.
SEE ALSO: How to watch college football without cable Memphis vs. Tulane football kickoff time and networkThe Memphis vs. Tulane football game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT start on ESPN on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Best streaming services for Memphis vs. Tulane football gameYou need to choose a streaming service to watch college football without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Memphis vs. Tulane football game on ESPN.
Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling Orange Plan Get DealSling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.
Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV Pro plan Get DealFuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period.
FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.
