How to Outsmart Amazon Prime Day Scams: BBB Warning and Safety Tips

How to Outsmart Amazon Prime Day Scams: BBB Warning and Safety Tips Amazon Prime Day is a magnet for bargain hunters—and for scammers. With the event launching alongside other major sales in 2026, the Better Business Bureau has issued a fresh warning about the rise in fraudulent offers, phishing emails, and fake sellers. Here’s what you need to know to keep your money and data safe. ...

June 26, 2026 · 3 min · BriefArc Desk

That Cheap Aldi Meat Box on Facebook Is a Scam—Here’s What to Watch For

That Cheap Aldi Meat Box on Facebook Is a Scam—Here’s What to Watch For If you’ve seen an ad on Facebook offering a huge box of Aldi meat for a fraction of what you’d pay in store, you’re not alone. These ads show bundles of steaks, chicken, and pork for as little as $25 or $30—well below any realistic price. Unfortunately, clicking the link doesn’t lead to a deal. It leads to a phishing site designed to steal your payment card details. ...

May 19, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

Chrome Quietly Dropped Its Promise That On-Device AI Stays on Your Device

Chrome Quietly Dropped Its Promise That On-Device AI Stays on Your Device If you use Chrome’s built-in AI features—like the “Help Me Write” tool or tab organizer—you might have assumed they run entirely on your computer with no data sent back to Google. That was the company’s stated position until recently. But sometime around Chrome version 130, that promise was removed from the browser’s privacy FAQ without any public announcement. The change was first spotted by security researchers and reported by Decrypt on May 7, 2026. For privacy-conscious users, it raises a straightforward question: what exactly is happening with your data now? ...

May 10, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

How to Spot and Avoid Investment Scams on Facebook and Instagram: A New Warning

Investment Scams on Facebook and Instagram: What the Maryland Attorney General’s Warning Means for You If you use Facebook or Instagram, you have likely seen posts or messages promoting investment opportunities. Some promise quick returns, “guaranteed” profits, or secret strategies. In early April 2026, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown issued a consumer alert about a surge in investment scams on Meta platforms. The warning is not just for Maryland residents—scammers do not respect state lines, and the patterns they use are consistent across the country. ...

April 26, 2026 · 5 min · BriefArc Desk

Investment Scams on Facebook and Instagram: How to Spot Them and Stay Safe

Investment Scams on Facebook and Instagram: How to Spot Them and Stay Safe If you’re active on Facebook or Instagram, you’ve probably seen posts or messages promoting a “guaranteed” investment opportunity. Maybe it’s a crypto trading platform that promises triple your money in a week. Or a direct message from someone claiming to be a trusted financial advisor with a limited-time offer. ...

April 26, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

Gift Card Scams: How They Work and How to Avoid Them

Gift Card Scams: How They Work and How to Avoid Them In December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert warning residents about a surge in gift card scams. The announcement is a useful reminder for consumers everywhere because this type of fraud rarely respects state lines. Gift card scams have become one of the most frequently reported fraud types to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and they tend to spike around the holidays when many people are buying and using gift cards anyway. ...

April 25, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

Gift Card Scams Are on the Rise: What You Need to Know to Avoid Being Tricked

Gift Card Scams Are on the Rise: What You Need to Know to Avoid Being Tricked Intro Gift cards are a convenient present, but they’ve also become a favorite tool for scammers. On December 15, 2025, Washington D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert warning District residents about a surge in gift card scams. While the alert targets local consumers, the tactics and takeaways apply nationwide. If you receive an unexpected call, text, or email demanding payment via a gift card, it’s almost certainly a scam. ...

April 25, 2026 · 3 min · BriefArc Desk

Gift Card Scams: How to Spot Them and What to Do Right Now

Gift Card Scams: How to Spot Them and What to Do Right Now Introduction Gift cards make convenient presents, but scammers have turned them into one of the most widely used payment methods for fraud. In December 2025, Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert warning Washington D.C. residents about the persistent threat of gift card scams. The official notice reminds consumers that no legitimate government agency, business, or utility company will ever demand payment in the form of gift cards. If you encounter such a request, it’s almost certainly a scam. ...

April 25, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

How to Spot and Avoid Gift Card Scams: A New Alert from D.C.'s Attorney General

How to Spot and Avoid Gift Card Scams: A New Alert from D.C.’s Attorney General In mid-December 2025, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a consumer alert warning District residents about a surge in gift card scams. The alert is short, but it underscores a problem that drains hundreds of millions of dollars from Americans every year. The tactics scammers use are remarkably consistent—and once you know them, they become much easier to spot. ...

April 25, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

How to Spot and Avoid ‘Pig Butchering’ Investment Scams

How to Spot and Avoid ‘Pig Butchering’ Investment Scams If you receive an unsolicited message from a stranger who seems charming, quickly turns the conversation toward investing, and pushes you to put money into a cryptocurrency platform you’ve never heard of, you might be in the crosshairs of a “pig butchering” scam. On February 17, 2026, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert specifically warning residents about this growing fraud. Here is what you need to know to recognize it, avoid it, and act if you or someone you know has been targeted. ...

April 25, 2026 · 5 min · BriefArc Desk