Mercury Insurance shares five cybersecurity steps families should take before
passing along used electronics

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Mercury Insurance (NYSE/NYSE TX: MCY) is reminding consumers that an old smartphone, tablet, laptop or gaming console may contain more than a few forgotten photos and apps. As families upgrade their electronics and pass older devices along to children, relatives or friends, they could unknowingly be sharing passwords, financial information and access to sensitive personal accounts.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, making it an ideal time to examine an often-overlooked security risk: the personal information left behind on devices that change hands.

“Most people think about protecting their information while they’re using a device, but they don’t always consider what happens to that information when they’re finished with it,” said Dustin Howard, Head of Information Security at Mercury Insurance. “An old phone or laptop can hold years of personal information, and simply deleting a few files or applications doesn’t mean that information is gone. And always factory reset your device.”

Five Steps to Take Before Passing Along Used Electronics

Back up everything you want to keep.

Before resetting a device, save important photographs, contacts, documents and other files to a secure cloud account or external storage device. Verify that the backup is complete and accessible before deleting anything. Consumers should also make sure they can access their accounts and authentication methods from another device.

Sign out and disconnect your accounts.

Smartphones, tablets and computers can remain connected to email, cloud storage, banking applications, shopping accounts and subscription services. Sign out of accounts and remove the device from associated account-management settings when appropriate. Disable device-tracking and activation-lock features according to the manufacturer’s instructions so the next user can properly set up the device.

Perform a proper factory reset.

Deleting individual files or uninstalling applications may leave information behind. Use the manufacturer’s recommended procedure to erase personal data and restore the device to its original settings. Some older devices and storage systems may require additional steps to securely remove information. When a device cannot be reliably erased, recycling it through a reputable electronics program that offers secure data destruction may be the safer choice.

Don’t forget gaming consoles, smartwatches and other connected devices.

Phones and computers aren’t the only electronics that store sensitive information. Gaming consoles may retain saved payment methods, purchase histories and account credentials, while smartwatches and other connected devices may contain health, location or personal information. Remove stored data, disconnect linked accounts and follow the manufacturer’s reset instructions before transferring ownership.

Give the next user a fresh start.

When passing electronics to children or other family members, establish separate user accounts rather than sharing existing credentials. Review privacy settings, enable appropriate security features and update the operating system before the new owner begins using the device. For younger users, consider parental controls, app permissions and restrictions on purchases or location sharing.

A Small Step That Can Prevent a Big Problem

The risks associated with improperly transferred electronics extend beyond an embarrassing photograph or forgotten message. Devices that remain connected to personal accounts could potentially provide access to email, stored financial information, cloud-based documents and other sensitive records.

That access can also create opportunities for identity theft, unauthorized purchases and account compromises, particularly when older devices lack current security updates.

“Passing along electronics is a great way to save money and get more use out of technology, especially when families are upgrading multiple devices,” Howard said. “The important thing is making sure the next person receives a clean device, not access to your digital life. Taking the time to properly prepare electronics for their next owner is a simple habit that can help prevent much bigger problems.”

Consumers should also consider the security capabilities of older electronics before putting them back into service. Devices that no longer receive operating system or security updates may be more vulnerable to emerging threats, even after being reset.

Mercury encourages consumers to make digital security part of their regular household routines, particularly when replacing electronics, preparing for holiday gift-giving or donating devices to schools and charitable organizations.

For information about protecting your home and vehicle from cyber threats, visit the Mercury Insurance Resource Center.

About Mercury Insurance

Mercury Insurance (NYSE/NYSE TX: MCY) is a multiple-line insurance carrier predominantly offering personal auto, homeowners, renters and commercial insurance through a network of independent agents in Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia, as well as auto insurance in Florida. Mercury writes other lines of insurance in various states, including commercial, business owners and business auto, landlord, home-sharing, ride-hailing and mechanical protection insurance.

Since 1962, Mercury has provided customers with tremendous value for their insurance dollar by pairing ultra-competitive rates with excellent customer service, through more than 4,200 employees and a network of more than 6,340 independent agents in 11 states. Mercury has earned an “A” rating from A.M. Best, as well as “Best Auto Insurance Company” designations from Forbes and Insure.com. For more information visit www.MercuryInsurance.com or follow the company on LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook.

Media interested in receiving updates from Mercury can learn more at the Mercury Newsroom.

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SOURCE Mercury Insurance

Certified Anker eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E35 supports healthier homes through proven allergen reduction and consistent cleaning performance

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and Allergy Standards Limited (ASL) announce that the Anker eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E35 earned the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification.

The Asthma & Allergy Friendly Certification Program, a collaborative initiative between the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and Allergy Standards Limited (ASL), helps consumers identify products that contribute to a healthier indoor environment.

Regular vacuuming plays a key role in reducing indoor allergens, helping to remove dust, dirt, and allergens from carpets, rugs, and floors, preventing particles from becoming airborne – a meaningful contribution to addressing indoor air pollution, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ranks among the top five environmental risks to public health.

For the more than 106 million Americans living with asthma and allergies, a vacuum cleaner that effectively captures and contains allergens, rather than redistributing them into the air, plays a key role in managing indoor triggers.

To earn the certification, the Anker eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E35 underwent rigorous scientific testing and met or exceeded the Program’s standards, demonstrating its ability to:

Remove allergens from floors: Remove at least 90% of tested allergens from hard floors and at least 80% from carpet. Allergens assessed under the standard include cat and dust mite allergens.Effectively remove household dust: Remove at least 75% of test dust from hard floors and at least 40% from carpet.Limit airborne particles and allergens during use: Keep fine airborne particles and cat allergen below strict certification limits while vacuuming.Maintain low particle emissions: Keep fine particle emissions low even when operating on a clean floor, demonstrating that the vacuum itself does not release excessive dust into the air.Maintain pick-up performance: Demonstrate no more than a 10% loss in pick-up efficiency after two passes.Limit exposure when emptying the dust bin: Keep fine particles and cat allergen below certification limits during dust-bin emptying.

The certification adds the Anker eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E35 to the Program’s list of independently certified vacuum cleaners, giving households a further science-backed option for reducing allergen exposure during everyday cleaning.

“For most families, the dust that matters most is the dust you can’t see: pet dander, dust mite allergens and fine particles that settle into carpets and onto floors. That’s the problem we set out to solve with the Robot Vacuum Omni E35, picking up those allergens and keeping them contained rather than sending them back into the air. We’re proud that the Omni E35 has earned the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification. It’s an independent, science-based standard that requires products to prove what they remove through rigorous testing, rather than simply claiming it, and for Anker eufy, that’s exactly the bar we want to be measured against,” said Frank Zhu, President of Smart Innovations, Anker Innovations.

“People spend 90% of their time indoors and managing exposure to indoor allergens and airway irritants is an important way to control allergy and asthma symptoms,” said Kenneth Mendez, president and CEO of AAFA. “By meeting the strict standards of the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification program, Anker’s eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E35 provides homeowners with another tool that can be a part of effective indoor air quality management.”

“As robotic vacuums become a standard part of home cleaning, it’s important that consumers have independent, science-based proof that these devices actually reduce allergen exposure. The eufy Robot Vacuum Omni E35 met that standard by demonstrating effective allergen removal while keeping airborne particle levels low during vacuuming and dust-bin emptying, giving people with asthma and allergies clear evidence that this product supports a healthier home,” said Dr John McKeon, CEO of Allergy Standards Ltd.

About the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program

The Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program is a collaboration between the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and Allergy Standards Limited (ASL) that tests and certifies products against strict standards to prove their suitability for people with asthma and allergies. Certified products include air cleaners, air filters, paints, bedding, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, cleaning products, flooring, and more. More information is available at aafa.org/certified.

About Anker eufy

Anker eufy specializes in AI-driven smart living solutions. Since 2016, we have introduced a wide range of products, from home security systems, robot vacuums, and robot lawn mowers to baby care and personal health devices.Anker Innovations (SZSE: 300866; HKEX: 00668) is a consumer technology company founded in 2011, serving more than 200 million customers across over 180 countries and regions. More information is available at https://www.eufy.com/eufy-robot-vacuum-omni-e35

Media Contact

Sarajane Sparks, Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program, 1 540-538-3286, sarajane@sparkscg.com, https://asthmaandallergyfriendly.com/USA/

LinkedIn

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SOURCE Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program

Prevent 2.0, Chargeflow’s new AI model, catches 10 times more fraud and abuse than the previous generation, scanning every order for fraud and abuse, not just stolen cards.Chargeflow also launched the Chargeflow Data Lab, whose first reports draw on about 3 million disputes to show how chargebacks change over Black Friday and when they arrive.Prevent 2.0 is now live for Shopify merchants ahead of Black Friday, with the first 1,000 scanned transactions free for merchants new to Prevent.

NEW YORK, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Chargeflow, the AI chargeback platform used by more than 20,000 merchants, today announced Prevent 2.0, the new AI model behind Chargeflow Prevent, its fraud scanning for Shopify merchants. Prevent 2.0 catches 10 times more fraud and abuse than the previous generation.

Most disputes don’t claim fraud at all. The buyer says it never arrived, wasn’t as described, or that they didn’t mean to renew. Prevent 2.0 scans for those too. Those claims grow over Black Friday. Of about three million disputes analyzed, one in three chargebacks over Black Friday weekend 2025 said the order never arrived, up from one in five in a normal week, according to early reports from the newly launched Chargeflow Data Lab.

Prevent scans every order for fraud and abuse after checkout and blocks risky orders before fulfillment. Nothing changes at checkout. Every merchant already running Prevent automatically moves to the upgraded protection of Prevent 2.0, with nothing to switch on.

What’s new in Prevent 2.0

A new AI model. Every decision now comes from the new model, made after checkout and before the order ships.Stolen cards, now covered. Prevent scans for third-party fraud in the same decision as friendly fraud.Suspect delivery patterns. It spots signs such as different names shipping to the same address.Sharper on abuse. Prevent is better at spotting known repeat disputers: buyers with a history of disputing orders they received, even on their first order with a store.

Every decision draws on Chargeflow Network Intelligence, the dispute data Chargeflow sees across more than 20,000 merchants. That lets Prevent flag a buyer with a history of disputes at other stores, even on their first order with a new one.

“We built Chargeflow so that when merchants deliver, the revenue they’ve earned stays theirs,” said Avia Chen, co-founder, chief product officer and chief marketing officer of Chargeflow. “We believe every merchant should have this protection, and that it should come switched on rather than as a project. Prevent 2.0 is how we deliver on that for Black Friday 2026.”

Black Friday changes what customers dispute

The Data Lab’s first reports draw on a study of about three million disputes across the last three peak seasons. Over the 2025 Black Friday to Cyber Monday weekend, 34.7% of chargebacks said the order never arrived, the claim card networks call “item not received.” In a normal week, it was 19.9%. The same shift appeared in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Fraud claims moved the other way. Their share of chargebacks fell to 27.2% over the weekend, from 37.8% in a normal week. On the busiest weekend of the season, “never arrived” claims outnumbered fraud claims.

“Never arrived” is a claim merchants can answer: those disputes that went to a decision were won about 1.5 times as often when backed by strong evidence, such as proof of delivery.

“Every merchant sees only its own chargebacks. Chargeflow sees them across more than 20,000 merchants. Starting today, the Chargeflow Data Lab publishes what that view shows us,” said Chen. “When everyone works from the same facts, the bad actors lose their edge.”

Pricing and availability

Prevent 2.0 is now live for Shopify merchants. Merchants new to Prevent get the first 1,000 scanned transactions free through Dec. 31, 2026. After that, Prevent costs $0.10 per scanned transaction for each order or subscription renewal it scans.

Merchants new to Chargeflow can install Chargeflow from the Shopify App Store and activate Prevent. Existing Chargeflow merchants can activate Prevent in their account.

About Chargeflow

Chargeflow is the industry-leading AI Chargeback Platform, with more than $50 billion in transactions protected. It operates on a simple belief: every business has the right to keep the revenue it has earned.

Many businesses write off chargebacks as a cost of doing business. Chargeflow fights for that revenue instead. Its data-driven AI catches fraudulent orders before fulfillment, resolves eligible disputes before they become chargebacks, and builds the strongest case on the chargebacks that get through. Representment comes with no upfront cost and no financial commitment: merchants pay only when Chargeflow wins.

Trusted by more than 20,000 merchants and more than 300 enterprise customers, Chargeflow is the No. 1-ranked provider on G2 for both chargeback management and e-commerce fraud protection.

www.chargeflow.io

Media contact
Sam Barber, Pitchr
sam@pitchr.ai

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SOURCE Chargeflow