Hot Cons How-Tos

How To: Undo a door's chain lock from outside with string, yarn or shoelaces

One day, you may find yourself in an emergency situation where you need to undo the chain lock of your home's front door, or somebody else's front door. Maybe someone forgot the unlock it when exiting the back door. Maybe you're grandfather is having a heart attack. Maybe your wife is cheating on you. Whatever the reason, it's fairly simple to break in by undoing the chain lock.

How To: Reseal an opened soda can

A cool prank to play on a friend lies in your fridge... a soda can. Get out your Coke or Pepsi can, or any other soda can, and open it up. Now, wouldn't it be cool if you could close it again, without raising suspicion?

How To: Hack a Vending Machine with a Special Code

JamesKesn teaches you how to hack a vending machine. You must use a very specific machine and an exact combination of button presses. For this it is: far left Pepsi, near right Mountain Dew, near left Pepsi, far right Mountain Dew. Then far left Pepsi, near right Mountain Dew. Again, far left Pepsi, near left Pepsi, near right Mountain Dew and far right Mountain Dew. This hack will allow you to see the stats, set the price and see error logs.

How To: Hack a Soda Machine to Get a Drink and a Refund

You'd like to treat your friend to a drink from the vending machine, but you only have enough cash for one soda. What do you do?

How To: Save Money on Groceries! Scam… Er… Scan Your Own Stuff at Self-Checkout

If you're running into the grocery store just to get a quick drink or snack, self-checkout machines can save you a ton of time. Add a few more items to your list, though, and they are just plain annoying. When they actually work how they're supposed to, self-checkout machines can make your shopping trip more convenient, but those instances are few and far between.

How To: Redeem Gift Card Balances for Cash

I've never understood gift cards. Aside from being severely restricted as to where you can use them, they're also a strange gift, especially if you don't shop at that particular store. Some even have expiration dates and service fees.

How To: Make a Super Secret Wall Safe for Less Than $3

Sometimes the best place to hide something is where people least expect it, so in this project, we're making a super secret safe that only you'll know about.

How To: Win a claw machine game in any arcade and become a skilled clawer

Every time you see one, you just have to put a quarter in an try your hands at the CLAW! But WTF? You never win anything from those darned claw machines! You can waste ten bucks in quarters and still come out empty handed.

How to Hack a Vending Machine: 9 Tricks to Getting Free Drinks, Snacks, & Money

A vending machine is an invaluable, yet totally frustrating piece of equipment. It's a godsend whenever your tummy's growling or you need an ice-cold drink on a hot summer day. But when something gets stuck inside or the machine flat out malfunctions, it quickly becomes your archenemy. And when you're broke, it's basically just one big tease.

How To: Make a cheap stash box out of an Axe/Lynx can

In this clip, learn how to make a super cheap stash can that really works! This can is made from an old Lynx or Axe deodorant bottle and looks completely real and inconspicuous. If you have some things you need to hide from your roommates, mom, siblings, the police.. check out this clip and mod your can into a mini-safe.

How To: Flaw in Hilton's Rewards Program Allows You to Achieve Instant HHonors Gold Status for Free

Are you constantly traveling? Well, as a Hilton HHonors member, you can enjoy special treatment at all of their hotels and resorts. It's free to register, but the difficulty lies in climbing up their membership level. To reach Gold elite status, Hilton HHonors requires that you have a minimum of 20 stays, 40 nights, or 75,000 base points—all in one year. While this may very will be easily attainable for those with jobs that revolve around traveling, it's almost damn near impossible for the re...

How To: Cheat on a school test ten different ways

In this video, we learn how to cheat on a school test ten different ways. The first way you can do this is to write on a water bottle. Or, you can write on the bottom of your shoe. You can also write on your arm and wear a long sleeve shirt. You can also stretch and turn and look at other people's tests while you're doing this. Writing on an eraser is also another great way to cheat. Use your notes by placing the paper underneath your test or put them on the floor and look at the answers. Pas...

How To: Make a secret stash safe out of an ordinary candle

Check out this tutorial and hide your goodies inside a seemingly ordinary house candle. The candle will still burn once you've hacked it, but be careful not to burn it all the way down! You don't want your stash to be revealed! So, the next time you have something you need to keep from robbers, your mom, your brother or the police.. try this mod and keep it out of sight!

Arcade Hacking: 6 Tricks to Getting More Prize Tickets Out of Game Machines

Arcade games have always been more about chance than skill (at least when I play them). Whether you're at a children's party at a Chuck E. Cheese's or drinking it up with your pals at a barcade like Dave & Buster's, you'll find similar games that hold the golden ticket to fun and cheap prizes that no one needs—boy, do you want them.

How To: 5 Secret Codes You Need to Know About Costco's Prices to Get Even Better Deals

It's no surprise that Costco has great deals, and that's why millions pay annual fees for the privilege to shop in their wholesale outlets. Just take their hotdog and soda combo for $1.50—it's the same price now as it was 27 years ago.

How To: Deploy a Keylogger from a USB Flash Drive Quickly

This guide will explain how to configure a USB Flash Drive / Memory Stick so that you can run a keylogger within just a few seconds of plugging it in any computer.

How To: Hack a Vending Machine for Change

This video demonstrates a way to hack a vending machine for change. First, you should press the top selection button four times, and then press the very last button three times. Then, hold the fourth button from the top and press the last button once more. If done correctly, the vending machine will return four quarters (one dollar) in change. This video may be helpful for people who want to hack a vending machine or who need some quick change.

How To: Pick a Brinks number lock easily and quickly

If you've forgotten your combination, or for some other reason want to get past a Brinks number lock, this tutorial shows you how to do it. All you need is a bobby pin. Slide the bobby pin down towards the lock wheels. Then spin the wheels slowly, from top to bottom. As you spin each wheel to the correct number, the bobby pin will slide down a little more. And once the bobby pin is all the way down, not only have you unlocked the lock, you've figured out the combination!

How To: Break into a Locked Suitcase Without Leaving Any Trace

Have you ever found something in your suitcase that wasn't yours? Maybe it was, but you're almost certain it wasn't. Maybe a friend slipped something in your baggage before your departure flight? Maybe the TSA was playing a joke on you, since they have all the master keys for your approved travel locks?

How To: Pick a luggage lock with a paperclip

Learn how to pick a luggage lock with this lock picking tutorial. You need a baggage lock and a paperclip. Use needlenose pliers to bend the paperclip into a lock pick or a homemade key. Twist your lock pick around until the lock opens. Simple lockpicking tutorial.

How To: Hack a Vending Machine in 40 Seconds

Check out this video from CouponCodesHero on hacking a vending machine in no time. All you need is a little packing tape and some paper money, then fool the machine to either get free stuff, or use the "change" to get free money!

How To: Print counterfeit money

Did you know that as a deterrent to counterfeiting Photoshop will NOT print any images that look like money? Here's a way to work around that using Photoshop and Adobe Imageready. Follow along with this con how-to video to learn the a trick to printing counterfeit money.

How To: The Trick to Canceling Hotel Reservations Last Minute Without Getting Charged Any Fees

There are so many things in life I wish I could've canceled without any repercussions, and I'm mostly talking about text messages.

How To: Hack a Candy Machine with a Paper Coin

Craving candy but have no change? Then listen closely to this hack. This con how-to video shows you how to hack a candy machine by creating fake quarters. This hack trick should also work on parking meters. Never pay for candy or meters again. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to hack a candy machine with a paper coin or cardboard.

How To: Cheat on a math test using a calculator

In this tutorial, we learn how to cheat on a math test using a calculator. The first way to cheat is to go into your calculator where the programming is. After this, you can type in the information that you need to store into the calculator and then save it to look at later. The other way to cheat is to write down the information that you need on a small piece of paper. After this, tape it to the inside of your graphing calculator on the shell. If a teacher comes by, simply put the calculator...

How To: Get All the Change Out of Vending Machine

This instructional video will show you how to get all of the change out of a vending machine! Who needs Coke or Pepsi when you can have coins? Then, you can get all of the soda you want out of that vending machine.

How To: Con a free meal from the drive-thru at McDonald's

Want a free meal at McDonald's restaurant? Forget those money-saving (supposedly) weekly coupons, that's nothing compared to an actual free meal. Coupons won't get you that. But this method of free food, perfect for the freegan or the poor (or maybe just the rude). This would technically be qualified as a prank or con, but hey, you got to eat, right?

How To: Use a fake ID to get into clubs with tips and tricks

The man in the video says there are three major things to be aware of when obtaining and using a fake ID card. The first thing and most important thing is to actually look at the fake ID before you are buying. A regular ID should have a name, date of birth and a photo. Make sure your fake ID has all those before using it. The second thing is to act confident when using it. Don't give out any clues from your expression or body language. Look at the bouncer in the eye, say hi and be polite to h...

How To: Unlock Car Doors with a Punctured Tennis Ball (Faux-To?)

Many have tried to prove (or disprove) that tennis ball lock picking really works, but it still seems up for debate. Mythbusters have supposedly debunked this technique (watch the video). Someone over at the Auto Blog also has tested this car lock method with failed results (watch the video).

How To: Save Money on Booze at Shows with This Reusable "Vodka Stash" Bottle

If you go to a lot of concerts and shows, you know that it can be easy to spend more on drinks than you spent on the ticket for the event itself. With this "vodka stash water bottle" you'll never have to pay for alcohol at a show again—assuming you like clear liquor, that is.

How To: Pick a combination lock with a bobby pin

In case of emergency, learn how to open a combination lock using a bobby pin by following the steps in this tutorial. Take the bobby pin and shave it down so that it is flat. This can be used on any combination lock. What you will do, is take the bobby pin and insert it through the side of the lock (the part where the lock goes). Keep pressing it down, pushing against the lock inside the hole. You are basically pushing it out of the way and eventually the lock will unlock. You will hear a cli...

How To: Bypass a master lock number 175

Check out this instructional con video that demonstrates how to bypass a master lock number 17 in this locking picking tutorial. This technique will work on both old nad new combination locks. They all use the same mechanism. Learn how to bypass a master lock number 175 with this tutorial con video. Start picking locks like a pro!

How To: Make paperclip picks and a tension wrench

This tutorial video will teach you how to make paperclip picks and a tension wrench for picking locks. These are some of the most essential tools you can have for picking loocks.

How To: Cheat on a final exam

How to cheat on a final exam using several methods - the calculator method, "the sweet toot," the drink bottle method, and the iPod method.

How To: The Ultimate Guide to Sneaking Booze into Any Event

Living in Los Angeles has given me the opportunity to attend a bunch of really cool events. I've been to Dodgers, Lakers, and Clippers games, a few concerts at the Staples Center, and a plethora of smaller joints.

How To: Start your scooter without keys

This is a video tutorial that shows you how to start your scooter when you lost your keys. If you're stealing a scooter, then that's your own fault, this is just to show you how to start your little motorcycle without keys, for emergencies. Now, this video is in a different language, but there's text for you to luck at, so follow along.

How To: Exam Coming Up? Use This Anaglyph 3D Trick to Combine Two Cheat Sheets into One!

If you've ever taken a university course with an awesome professor, you're more than likely acquainted with the precious and all-glorious cheat sheet. Like the midterm, the professor usually allows a one-sided cheat sheet for the most important exam of the class—the dreaded final. I should work on my final, but I'd rather just sit here and be a douchebag.

How To: Spot counterfeit toonies (the two-dollar Canadian coin)

Most of us are well familiar with toons, after sitting in front of the boob tube most of our childhood life, watching cartoons like Mickey Mouse, SpongeBob and even The Simpsons. But for Canadians, as of 1996, "toon" means something entirely different.

How To: Pick a locked door with a paper clip

In this tutorial, we learn how to pick a locked door with a paperclip. First, open up your paperclip and then twist the end of it so it's a spiral shape. Then, scrub over the pins and create a spiral shape with these as well. Try your best to make the shape of the paperclip to look like the unlocking saw. Now, take a tension wrench and force it into the bottom of the lock. Then, stick the paperclip into the top of this and turn upwards several times going quickly. When you hear the lock come ...

How To: Stop Facial Recognition Software from Finding Out Who You Are on Camera

Facial recognition software is being more widely used with every passing day. Your local law enforcement is probably already using it, and it will be even easier for them now that the FBI handed out its own facial recognition software to state authorities. Even the fine folks at Facebook are using this technology. Obviously, this brings up some pretty serious privacy concerns amongst most people, because honestly, who wants to be tracked? Right now, there's not a lot we can do about it being ...