Social Media Scams Are Costing Americans Billions: How to Spot and Stop Them

Social Media Scams Are Costing Americans Billions: How to Spot and Stop Them Scams that once arrived by email or phone call are now showing up in your Facebook feed, Instagram DMs, and TikTok comments. Fraud has moved decisively onto social media platforms, and the financial damage is staggering. ...

May 1, 2026 · 5 min · BriefArc Desk

Don't Fall for This New Google Scam: Here's How to Spot and Avoid It

Don’t Fall for This New Google Scam: Here’s How to Spot and Avoid It A wave of highly polished Google-branded phishing emails is hitting inboxes, and they look more convincing than ever. According to a recent report from Reader’s Digest, these scams are bypassing many of the usual red flags — they use real Google logos, domain names that seem correct at first glance, and language that mimics official security alerts. If you rely on Gmail, Google Drive, or any Google service, it’s worth knowing exactly what to look for before your account ends up compromised. ...

May 1, 2026 · 5 min · BriefArc Desk

How to Spot Social Media Scams: A Practical Guide to Avoid Losing Money Online

How to Spot Social Media Scams: A Practical Guide to Avoid Losing Money Online Fraud is moving to the platforms you use every day. According to recent reports, social media scams now account for billions of dollars in losses each year in the United States. The convenience of connecting with friends, browsing products, and discovering new opportunities has also opened the door for scammers to target ordinary users. ...

May 1, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

That Urgent Google Notification Might Be a Scam—Here’s How to Tell

That Urgent Google Notification Might Be a Scam—Here’s How to Tell You’re checking your email or browsing the web when a notification pops up: “Security alert – unusual sign-in detected” or “Your Google account will be suspended in 24 hours.” It looks official—Google logo, familiar fonts, even a link that starts with “accounts.google.com.” But that link might not lead where you think. ...

May 1, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

How to Spot the Latest Google Scam That Looks Legitimate

How to Spot the Latest Google Scam That Looks Legitimate A new phishing campaign impersonating Google has been making the rounds, and it’s unusually convincing. Victims receive emails or pop-ups that appear to come directly from Google, complete with official logos and messages about account suspension. If you click the link, you’re taken to a login page that looks identical to the real thing—but every credential you type goes straight to scammers. ...

May 1, 2026 · 3 min · BriefArc Desk

1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams: How to Protect Yourself This Holiday Season

1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams: How to Protect Yourself This Holiday Season The holiday shopping season is in full swing. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are almost here, and retailers are pushing deals across every channel. But scammers are working just as hard. A new survey from the Pew Research Center, released in November 2025, found that approximately one in three U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That’s a striking figure, and it ought to give anyone pause before clicking “buy.” ...

May 1, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

Don't Fall for This Convincing Google Scam: What to Watch For

Don’t Fall for This Convincing Google Scam: What to Watch For Scammers have gotten better at copying Google’s official pages, and a new wave of these fakes is circulating right now. They look nearly identical to real login screens and security alerts, which makes them particularly dangerous for anyone who uses Gmail, Google Drive, Google Ads, or other services. ...

May 1, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams: How to Protect Yourself This Black Friday

1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams: How to Protect Yourself This Black Friday A new study from Pew Research Center finds that roughly one in three U.S. adults have fallen victim to an online shopping scam. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday just days away, the timing of this research is a reminder that fraudsters are counting on holiday shoppers to let their guard down. Here’s what the data tells us and what you can do to shop safely. ...

May 1, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

Is That Chrome Extension Safe? How Productivity Tools Can Bite Back

title: Is That Chrome Extension Safe? How Productivity Tools Can Bite Back intro: Browser extensions are a staple of modern web browsing. They block ads, manage passwords, take notes, and speed up routine tasks. For many, installing a handful of extensions feels harmless—a small trade-off for convenience. But recent reporting suggests otherwise. In early March 2026, Security Boulevard published an investigation into how seemingly useful productivity extensions have been weaponized as enterprise attack vectors. While the primary targets were businesses, the underlying mechanisms—supply chain attacks, malicious updates, and social engineering—can affect any Chrome user who installs extensions without scrutiny. This article explains what happened, why it matters for everyday consumers, and what you can do to stay safe. ...

May 1, 2026 · 5 min · BriefArc Desk

How to Spot and Avoid the Latest Google Scam That Looks Authentic

How to Spot and Avoid the Latest Google Scam That Looks Authentic A new round of Google-branded phishing emails is making the rounds, and they’re harder to dismiss than the usual poorly spelled junk. These messages mimic real Google security alerts, account recovery notifications, or login prompts so closely that even careful users can be fooled. If you use Gmail, Google Drive, or any Google service, it’s worth knowing what to look for and what to do if you click something you shouldn’t. ...

May 1, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk