Latest news with #StutiGupta
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Fact check: Is SSA introducing $600 check boost for beneficiaries in July? Here's all you need to know
Jun 28, 2025 12:06 AM IST Multiple rumors regarding the impending monthly deposits sent by the Social Security Administration (SSA) suggest that beneficiaries might receive a $600 bonus in their outstanding payments for July. The notion was widely circulated by users on social networking sites such as TikTok and Facebook. Representational Image Many online users have claimed that the SSA has approved a special $600 payment for beneficiaries starting in 2025. They further claim that such checks will be delivered in June of this year and are part of the administration's initiatives to help deal with the rising cost of living. Such 'bonus payments' were supposed to automatically show up in beneficiaries' bank accounts along with impending monthly payments. Turns out, the case is a simple instance of misunderstanding since there has been no official notice or approval from the SSA to authorize the payment of an additional $600 to all beneficiaries. It appears many people have mistaken the annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) payment as a monthly payment rather than an annual one. What is COLA and how is it calculated? COLA is a monthly amount added to the payments of SSA beneficiaries to help citizens better deal with the rising cost of living. This is calculated using inflation figures from the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. The amount is calculated by the SSA after reviewing inflation trends from July to September. The determined rate is revealed in October and is applicable from January of the coming year. The COLA rate, as decided and revealed by the SSA in October 2024, is 2.5% for 2025. This roughly equals to an additional $50 per month for someone who receives $2,000 worth of benefits per month. This sum, as calculated over the period of a year, totals $600. These payments were initiated back in January of this year. Hence, the timing claimed by online users is completely false as well. Fraudsters have made a haven out of this misunderstanding. Multiple vulnerable groups who rely on social service benefits as a means of survival have been duped into giving out their Social Security number, bank account information and Medicare IDs. By Stuti Gupta
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Google Chrome is ending support for these older Android versions. Here's what it means for your device
Jun 27, 2025 12:01 AM IST Google Chrome published an official announcement on its community tab on Monday (June 23) announcing that the latest update of the platform called Chrome 139 will only function on devices carrying Android 10.0 or later. The move is a part of regular updates taken by software companies to ensure that all customer devices remain up to date. Google Chrome will stop updating older Android versions 'Chrome 138 is the last version of Chrome that will support Android 8.0 (Oreo) and Android 9.0 (Pie). Chrome 139 (tentatively scheduled for release on August 5th, 2025) is the first version of Chrome that requires Android 10.0 or later. You'll need to ensure your device is running Android 10.0 or later to continue receiving future Chrome releases,' the official announcement reads. Although the earlier versions will continue to function regularly, customers are advised to update to the latest versions as soon as possible to ensure their device continues functioning smoothly. This may not impact your device at the moment, but it may deplete performance over time due to slower browsing, lack of bug fixes, and higher security risks. 'Older versions of Chrome will continue to work, but there will be no further updates released for users on these operating systems. If you are currently on Android 8.0 or Android 9.0, we encourage you to move to a supported Android 10.0 version (or newer) to ensure you continue to receive the latest security updates and Chrome features,' adds the announcement. This move reflects tech agencies' desire to weed out older, ineffective models with modern, sleek ones. Millions of devices and users around the globe are bound to be affected by this decision. Customers could opt to temporarily shift to alternate browsers like Firefox but this fix is bound to run out of use in some time as well. According to Composables, nearly 10% of all Android devices globally function on these two software as of April 2025. Android 8.0 (Oreo) shares a 4% margin while Android 9.0 (Pie) has a 5.8% share. By Stuti Gupta
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Epic Games FTC settlement: Who is eligible for a Fortnite refund before July deadline and how much will you receive
Jun 26, 2025 09:09 PM IST The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it was reopening applications for Fortnite gamers to claim compensation related to a 2023 settlement with Epic Games. The company had then agreed to pay $245 million as compensation for the agency's claim that they used 'deceptive practices to trick players into making unwanted purchases.' The announcement came on Wednesday (June 25). How to get a Fortnite refund? The first round of refunds worth $72 million was issued by the FTC in December. Those who file a valid claim by June 2025-26 will receive payments totaling $126 million. As per FTC guidelines, those who satisfy any of these statements can file a claim: 'You were charged in-game currency for items you didn't want between January 2017 and September 2022 'Your child made charges to your credit card without your knowledge between January 2017 and November 2018 'Your account was locked between January 2017 and September 2022 after you complained to your credit card company about wrongful charges. What is the deadline to submit a claim? Applicants can go on to the FTC's website and file a suitable claim by July 9. Those above 18 years of age can do so on their own while those who are underage need a parent or guardian to do the same for them. However, in such a case, the parent/ guardian must enter their own name and contact information. When will payments be processed? The FTC will send all additional payments in 2026 once they have 'reviewed and validated all claims'. Refunds will be processed via checks or PayPal payments. The exact amount depends on how many claims are filed by individuals which the FTC is currently approximating to be around 900,000. 'The Commission's interactive dashboards for refund data provide a state-by-state breakdown of refunds in FTC cases. In 2024, FTC actions led to more than $339 million in refunds to consumers across the country,' reads the official news release issued by the FTC. Those who still have doubts can call 1-833-915-0880 or reach out to admin@ to resolve their queries. By Stuti Gupta
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
AT&T agrees to $177 million settlement over data breaches: Know who is eligible and how to claim
AT&T is scheduled to roll out a long-due $177 million settlement amount on June 20, as per the preliminary approval passed by a US district judge in Texas. This amount will be distributed to affected current and past subscribers who lost confidential data due to security breaches through external hacking. A final hearing on the matter is scheduled for December 3 this year. AT&T agrees to $177 million settlement over data breaches (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)(AP) In 2019, a major data leak in the network service provider resulted in the names, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth of multiple customers being compromised by cybercriminals. Out of the $177 million settlement amount being distributed by the company, $149 million is meant to address his breach specifically. About 51 million users' data was compromised and a string of lawsuits followed in its wake. In April 2024, another data breach by cloud storage provider Snowflake resulted in cybercriminals gaining direct access to call and text records of AT&T customers. The company claimed that no client names were divulged in the process. The remaining $28 million from the settlement amount is meant to address the legal action against the company as a result of this mishap. Who is eligible? A court document states that the approval process will officially kick off on August 4. All those eligible to receive a slice of the settlement will receive electronic or physical intimation during this summer. How to claim your settlement amount Those who submitted documentation as proof of the degree of personal data affected as a result of the hacks will be eligible for a higher payment amount. This can go up to $5,000 in the first case and $2,500 in the second one. The amount will ordinarily be decided based on the number of people eligible for payment and the degree of personal loss caused. At the time, AT&T issued a public statement that read, 'While we deny the allegations in these lawsuits that we were responsible for these criminal acts, we have agreed to this settlement to avoid the expense and uncertainty of protracted litigation. We remain committed to protecting our customers' data and ensuring their continued trust in us.' Following final court approval, the payment amount will be sent to beneficiaries next year. – By Stuti Gupta
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
NBA Finals Game 7: Date, time, how to watch live for free
Jun 22, 2025 09:11 PM IST The NBA Finals 2025 are slowly drawing to a close and the final confrontation between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers will decide who gets to clinch the title this time around. The Pacers' chances of making it to this stage seemed slim last time considering the odds and a crushing loss in Game 5. But Tyrese Haliburton and his teammates made it a point to step up to the occasion and gave themselves one last fighting chance by securing a 108-91 win in Game 6. NBA Finals Game 7 will take place on Sunday. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) This has made Sunday's (June 22) match at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City one that no fan would want to miss. Here are the details on when and where to stream the much-anticipated match: The match will start at 8 PM ET (7 PM CT) and will be streamed on ABC and FUBO. FUBO currently offers viewers a one-week free trial. Plans start at $84.99 per month for the pro version and go up to $94.99 per month for the more expansive Elite version. The service is currently operational in the US, Canada, France and Spain. Also Read: NBA finals game 7: How much prize money will winning team receive as stage set for Pacers vs Thunder battle Full schedule for NBA Finals Here is the full schedule for the NBA Finals: · Game 1: Pacers at Thunder - Thursday, June 5, 8:30 PM ET (ABC) · Game 2: Pacers at Thunder - Sunday, June 8, 8:00 PM ET (ABC) · Game 3: Thunder at Pacers - Wednesday, June 11, 8:30 PM ET (ABC) · Game 4: Thunder at Pacers - Friday, June 13, 8:30 PM ET (ABC) · Game 5: Pacers at Thunder - Monday, June 16, 8:30 PM ET (ABC) · Game 6: Thunder at Pacers - Thursday, June 19, 8:30 PM ET (ABC) · Game 7: Pacers at Thunder - Sunday, June 22, 8:00 PM ET (ABC) By Stuti Gupta
