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Wall Street Futures Ease as Strong GDP Growth Tempers Fed Cut Hopes

US stock futures dipped Tuesday morning as stronger-than-expected GDP growth raised doubts about near-term Federal Reserve rate cuts, sending the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq futures slightly lower. Market Overview Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq futures all slipped about 0.2% in premarket trading. The decline comes after three consecutive winning sessions for US equities, highlighting investor caution despite recent momentum. Gold and silver continued their rally, with both metals on pace for their best year in over four decades. Economic Data Impact The third-quarter GDP report showed the US economy grew at a 4.3% annualized rate, well above the 3.3% forecast. Strong consumer spending drove the surprise, but analysts warn that the government shutdown likely slowed growth in the fourth quarter. The data suggests economic resilience, but also reduces the likelihood of immediate Fed rate cuts, which had been priced in by markets. Investor Sentiment Traders are recalib...
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Gift Card Scams: How to Spot and Avoid Them


Gift card scams are devious schemes that can catch anyone off guard. Scammers employ various tactics to trick victims into buying gift cards, which they then promptly redeem. Here’s how to recognize and prevent these scams:

  1. Pressure Tactics: Scammers often pressure victims into purchasing gift cards. They might impersonate government officials, family members, or even romantic interests. Be wary of unsolicited phone calls, texts, emails, or social media messages demanding gift card payments.

  2. Why Gift Cards?: Scammers prefer gift cards because they are anonymous, irreversible, and yield immediate results. Unlike credit card charges, gift card transactions cannot be canceled. Once the funds are gone, they’re gone for good.

  3. Common Scam Types:

    • Money Collection Scams: Fake IRS or utility company employees claim you owe them money and threaten arrest or service cutoff unless you pay with gift cards.
    • Phishing Scams: Scammers impersonate legitimate entities (like Apple or Steam) and ask for gift card numbers.
    • Physical Store Scams: Scammers may target victims inside brick-and-mortar stores.
    • Digital Markets: Big companies’ gift cards (Amazon, Target, eBay) and digital platforms (Steam, Google Play) are vulnerable.
    • Vanilla Gift Cards: Scammers love VISA vanilla gift cards because they’re valid everywhere.

  4. Stay Safe:

    • Spot Check: Verify the source of unsolicited emails or messages before responding.
    • Don’t Send: Legitimate entities won’t demand immediate payment via gift cards.

Remember, vigilance is key. Protect yourself by staying informed and avoiding suspicious requests for gift card payments. If you suspect a scam, report it promptly.


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