Technology
Fake VA shoe offer targets veterans
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A flyer offering “free athletic shoes from VA” may look official at first glance. It uses VA-style branding, talks about health and wellness and even lists the MyVA phone number. That is what makes it so dangerous.
VA says the message falsely claims Veterans can receive free athletic shoes from VA. The agency says the promotion did not come from VA and has no connection to any official VA program.
The scam appears to be spreading through a flyer and online posts. It tells Veterans they may be eligible for free athletic shoes “at no cost to you.” It also shows popular shoe brands, steps to “redeem” shoes and a process that appears to involve a VA provider.
That may be enough to get someone to click, call, share or forward before they stop to think.
MEDICAL IDENTITY THEFT FOLLOWS YOU INTO THE DOCTOR’S OFFICE
Veterans are being warned not to click links, scan QR codes or share personal information tied to a fake VA shoe offer. (Kira Hofmann/picture alliance via Getty Images)
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Fake VA shoe offer: what VA says
VA says the free athletic shoe promotion is fake. It did not come from an official VA program, including VPRs, Central Office or Whole Health.
That is important because the flyer borrows the look and feel of a trusted government agency. It also uses health language to make the offer sound like a wellness benefit.
But let’s be real here. A free pair of shoes can sound harmless until the next step asks for your personal details.
Why the fake VA shoe flyer looks so believable
This scam works because it mixes familiar names with an official-looking design. The flyer uses VA branding, a health-focused message and well-known athletic shoe brands.
It also presents the offer as a benefit. That can make people feel like they may miss out if they do not act.
Scammers know that veterans and families often deal with a lot of paperwork, benefit updates and health care messages. A fake flyer can slide into that confusion and feel more believable than it should.
How scammers use real VA details to build trust
One sneaky detail stands out. The flyer lists the MyVA number, but that alone does not make the flyer real.
Scammers often mix real information with fake offers. A real phone number, real logo or familiar agency name can make people lower their guard.
That is why you should verify the offer through VA.gov, your official VA account or your local VA facility before responding.
What the fake VA shoe offer could steal
The flyer may look like it is only about shoes. The bigger risk comes next.
A fake offer like this could lead to a phishing page, a bogus form, a QR code trap or someone asking for sensitive details. That could include your Social Security number, VA login information, health information, address, bank details or credit card number.
Scammers may also use the information to target you again. Once they know you responded to a fake VA offer, they may try a follow-up call, text or email.
DR OZ WARNS MEDICARE SCAMMERS ARE STEALING BILLIONS — AND YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION COULD BE NEXT
A fake flyer claiming Veterans can get free athletic shoes from VA is spreading online, but the agency says it is not tied to any official program. (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs)
What to do if you see the fake VA shoe offer
Do not share it. Do not forward it. Do not fill out a form. Do not scan any code connected to it.
Also, do not provide personal, financial or health information because of this flyer.
Instead, warn veterans, family members and colleagues without spreading the image. A quick heads-up can help someone avoid a costly mistake.
Ways to stay safe from VA scams
A few smart habits can help you spot fake VA messages before they turn into a bigger problem.
1) Verify the offer through VA.gov
Go directly to VA.gov or use your official VA account. Do not rely on a flyer, social media post, text message or forwarded image.
2) Do not scan QR codes or click links
A scam flyer may send you to a fake website that looks official. Type the web address yourself or search for the VA page directly.
3) Never share VA login details
Do not give anyone your VA.gov username, password or sign-in code. VA says it will not ask you to share login credentials in an email.
4) Protect personal and health information
Treat your Social Security number, address, date of birth, medical information and benefits details as sensitive. A free offer should never require that kind of information from a random form.
QR CODE EMAIL SCAM TARGETS EMPLOYEE REVIEWS
VA says veterans should verify suspicious benefit offers through VA.gov, an official VA account or a local VA facility. (Antonio Diaz / Getty Images)
5) Call VA using a trusted number
If you have questions, contact VA through an official phone number, the VA website or your local VA facility. Do not trust contact details from a suspicious flyer alone.
6) Report the fake VA shoe offer
Veterans who suspect fraud can report it through VSAFE.gov or call 1-833-38V-SAFE. Reports help VA and other agencies track scams that target veterans.
7) Use strong antivirus protection
Strong antivirus software can help protect you if you click a bad link, scan a risky QR code or land on a fake website tied to a scam. Good protection can block malicious pages, warn you about suspicious downloads and help stop malware before it does damage. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.
8) Consider a data removal service
Scammers often use personal details found online to make fake offers feel more believable. A data removal service can help reduce how much of your information is sitting on people-search sites, including your address, phone number and other details that can be used to target you. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting CyberGuy.com.
9) Take action fast if you responded
If you already clicked, scanned, called or shared information, change your VA.gov password right away. Use a trusted password manager to create and store a strong, unique password you do not use anywhere else. Turn on multifactor authentication if you have not already done that. Then watch your accounts for suspicious activity.
10) Warn others without forwarding the flyer
Tell family members, friends and veteran groups that the offer is fake, but do not send the flyer along with your warning. Even if your goal is to help, someone else may miss your warning, save the image or share it again. Instead, send a short message that says the free VA shoe offer is a scam and tell them to verify any VA benefit through VA.gov or their local VA facility.
Kurt’s key takeaways
A free pair of shoes can make you drop your guard, especially when the flyer uses VA branding and familiar shoe names. That is the whole trick. Scammers are using trust to push veterans and families toward a bad link, a fake form or a request for personal info. Slow down and verify it through VA.gov or your local VA facility. And if you want to warn someone, send them a message saying the offer is fake instead of forwarding the flyer itself. That keeps the scam from spreading.
Would this fake VA shoe offer have made you pause, or would the official-looking design have fooled you? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Technology
Saber denies replacing Rideshare Stimulator’s writers with ChatGPT
After a former lead writer claimed Saber “replaced me with ChatGPT,” CEO Matthew Karch now claims, “Neither Saber nor Unigine have replaced any writers with AI,” for the Rideshare “Stimulator” game announced last month, developed by Unigine.
The writer, Stella Sacco, says differently, however, posting on Bluesky that “I was lead writer on this one! And Saber replaced me with ChatGPT midway through development. All the passenger voices were AI too. Either they changed direction at some point or they’re not disclosing it on Steam.”
Saber describes Rideshare “Stimulator” as an “immersive driving simulation game that puts you behind the wheel as a rideshare business owner,” and the segments shown in a teaser trailer appear to include AI-generated writing and audio for the simulated riders who are being picked up. The game’s Steam listing does not currently include any disclosure about using generative AI.
A statement from Karch provided to The Verge says, “The game will also feature an experimental, free-ride mode that by necessity incorporates AI as the number of passengers in the game is infinite. We are firm believers in using AI tools to improve or enhance gameplay experiences and improve NPC behavior as we have done since Saber was founded in 2001,” it continued, also claiming that “As the industry has continued to contract, Saber continues to hire. None of our 3000+ employees have to worry about being replaced by AI.”
Sacco replied to Karch’s statement in a message sent to The Verge. “My indignation at being called a liar by that statement aside, you can’t meaningfully say both ‘writers wrote the story’ and ‘computers wrote the text,’” Sacco says. “If rides I wrote are in there, and also rides AI wrote or will write are in there, then AI was still used, and I was still replaced, just as Saber told me they were doing in December 2023. They’re trying to have it both ways. You can’t win on the labor part of the statement while you admit you took work away from labor in the next part. It’s ridiculous.”
Technology
Cleveland Clinic launches prescription drone delivery
Medical drone test aims to speed deliveries for rural patients
A medical drone takes off during testing as part of a program aimed at speeding up the delivery of critical healthcare supplies. The effort is focused on transporting lab samples, blood and donor matching materials between smaller communities and larger hospital hubs, where timing can impact diagnoses and treatment. Developers say faster, on-demand flights could help reduce delays for rural patients, who often face longer travel times for care, with future plans to expand the technology to carry transplant-related materials.
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A trip to the pharmacy can feel like a routine errand on a normal day. When you feel sick or care for someone else, that same trip can become a serious burden. Now, some Cleveland Clinic patients can skip the drive and have eligible prescriptions lowered into their yards by drone.
Cleveland Clinic just announced the launch of its prescription drone delivery program with Zipline. The first successful deliveries took place in and around Beachwood, Ohio.
Cleveland Clinic describes the launch as the first long-term deployment of a prescription drug drone delivery program by a U.S. health system. While other hospitals have tested medical drone services, this program is designed for ongoing delivery to patients’ homes.
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DOORDASH GETS FAA APPROVAL FOR ITS OWN DELIVERY DRONES
Zipline drones can deliver eligible Cleveland Clinic prescriptions within minutes while remaining hundreds of feet above patients’ homes. (Zipline)
Cleveland Clinic drone delivery starts in and around Beachwood
The service currently covers eligible addresses within five miles of Cleveland Clinic’s Beachwood Administrative Campus. That location serves as the home base for Zipline’s electric drones. Initially, Cleveland Clinic is offering the service to certain patients who already use its pharmacy home delivery program. The pharmacy team will notify eligible patients through their electronic patient portal.
Patients do not have to use a drone. The delivery option is voluntary, and Cleveland Clinic says it will not charge an additional fee. According to Zipline, the program initially covers shelf-stable prescriptions. Controlled substances will not travel by drone at this time.
How prescriptions arrive by Zipline drone
The process begins inside a Cleveland Clinic pharmacy. A pharmacy technician places the packaged medication into a secure Zipline drop box. Next, an autonomous drone retrieves the order and flies to the patient’s address. When the aircraft reaches its destination, it remains as high as 300 feet above the ground. A small delivery pod then descends on a tether. The pod places the prescription at the selected delivery location before rising back to the drone. The aircraft returns to its charging station after completing the delivery.
Since the drone stays in the air, it does not need to land in your yard. You also do not need to clear space for a landing pad. Once a pharmacy order enters the Zipline drop box, it can reach the patient’s home within minutes. According to Zipline, its average flight time is under five minutes.
Patients can follow the delivery through a tracking link in the MyChart messaging portal. Because delivery information arrives through a health portal, be careful with unexpected texts or emails claiming to contain a tracking update. Open the official MyChart app or type the portal address into your browser instead of tapping an unplanned link. CyberGuy’s guide to using health apps and patient portals safely explains why going directly to the official app can help you avoid phishing attempts.
Who can use Cleveland Clinic prescription delivery
For now, eligibility remains narrow. You must live within the initial delivery zone near Beachwood. You must also participate in Cleveland Clinic’s pharmacy home delivery program. Cleveland Clinic patients who are interested in participating should ask their doctor if they are eligible. The Beachwood launch gives the Cleveland Clinic and Zipline a chance to incorporate the experience during regular pharmacy operations.
REMOTE ROBOT SURGERY REMOVES CANCER 1,500 MILES AWAY
Cleveland Clinic patients near Beachwood, Ohio, can now receive eligible prescriptions by Zipline drone, with deliveries lowered by tether into their yards. (Zipline)
Patients can choose where the package lands
Eligible patients can select a delivery location on their property. According to Zipline, that location will typically be in the front yard or backyard. Patients can also schedule delivery for a time when they expect to be home. After the pod places the package on the ground, the patient can collect it without touching the drone or the delivery pod. That setup may help keep a prescription from sitting outside longer than necessary. It also gives patients more control over where the package appears on their property.
How Zipline handles privacy and flight monitoring
Zipline says it does not know what is inside a Cleveland Clinic order. The company receives only the information it needs to complete the delivery and follow healthcare requirements, including package handling or temperature instructions. The drones do not send a live video or image feed to Zipline employees. Instead, trained specialists monitor flights at the fleet level through operational dashboards. Each drone and delivery pod flies autonomously using onboard sensors. Those sensors help the system navigate the airspace and avoid obstacles near the delivery area. Cleveland Clinic and Zipline say they worked together to meet the regulatory and technical requirements for the program.
Zipline has delivered medical products since 2016
While a prescription hovering over an Ohio neighborhood may seem unusual, Zipline has spent years building autonomous medical delivery networks. The company began delivering blood and other medical products in 2016. Today, Zipline says it serves more than 5,000 hospitals and health facilities around the world. It has delivered tens of millions of medical products through its network.
CyberGuy first examined how Zipline planned to deliver medicine and food when the company revealed its Platform 2 system in 2023. That design introduced the tethered pod that can place a package in a precise location while the main aircraft stays overhead. Since then, Zipline has moved further into everyday U.S. delivery. To date, the company reported more than 2.7 million commercial deliveries. Roughly 70% of its flights now take place in the United States. Outside healthcare, Zipline carries restaurant orders and retail products. In parts of Texas, customers can receive drone deliveries from national brands and local businesses.
CHINESE DRONE MONOPOLY PUT ON NOTICE AMID CONCERNS OVER CCP SPYING: ‘STRATEGIC MISTAKE’
Cleveland Clinic says its new drone service gives some patients another way to receive shelf-stable prescriptions without making a pharmacy trip. (Zipline)
Drone delivery can continue through difficult weather
Cleveland Clinic’s program arrives as drone delivery becomes more visible in the U.S. CyberGuy recently covered a drone food delivery pilot in New Jersey. That service also uses a tether to lower orders while the aircraft remains in the air. Food delivery gives companies a way to test flight paths and neighborhood acceptance. Delivering medicine raises the stakes because patients may rely on the package for their care.
According to Zipline, its drones can operate in rain, wind, storms and cold conditions that may slow road traffic. However, weather or another issue could still make a drone flight unavailable. In that situation, Cleveland Clinic would use another delivery option. Zipline says the prescription would typically travel by ground courier instead. According to Cleveland Clinic, each Zipline drone performs more than 500 safety checks per second while flying.
Cleveland Clinic plans to expand medical drone delivery
Prescription medication is the starting point. Over time, Cleveland Clinic plans to add other medications and lab samples. The program may also transport medically tailored meals and medical supplies.
Zipline has already announced its next expansion will be to Austin, Texas. Zipline’s president of U.S. healthcare, Hillary Brendzel, described the immediate benefit in simple terms: “That’s one less errand to run, and more time back in people’s days.” That may sound modest compared with the technology involved. However, saving one pharmacy trip can matter when someone feels ill or cannot easily drive. In fact, in Texas, according to Zipline, its most frequent customers are older adults and busy parents.
Kurt’s key takeaways
What caught my attention here is how ordinary the problem is. People need medicine, but getting to a pharmacy can be difficult when they are already dealing with an illness or mobility problem. Cleveland Clinic and Zipline are using drone technology to remove that errand for some patients. The drone stays above the property while a tethered pod handles the final delivery. Patients can track the order through MyChart without paying an extra fee. The average flight takes under five minutes, according to Zipline. Patients can choose where the package arrives and schedule the delivery for a time when they will be home. If the drone cannot fly, Cleveland Clinic can use a ground courier instead. Zipline also says it does not know what medication is inside the package, and its drones do not provide employees with a live video feed. Those details may reassure patients who have questions about privacy. Still, the launch remains limited to a small area near Beachwood. Only shelf-stable prescriptions qualify at first, and controlled substances are excluded. If this works reliably, prescription delivery could become one of the most meaningful uses for autonomous drones.
Would you trust a drone to deliver medication you depend on, or would you rather keep your prescriptions on the ground? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
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Technology
Sonos Ace Ultra headphones could be on the horizon
In addition to the S52A designation, one of the submitted documents shows an oval diagram — likely the ear cup — marked with the name Sonos Ace Ultra, although that name isn’t listed anywhere else. It follows the naming scheme Sonos has used in the past with its Arc and Arc Ultra soundbars. The documents also list color options we’ll likely see, which extend beyond the white and black of the Ace. The five colors named are “greige,” shadow black, agave, blush, and sand.
There’s also indication of testing for local networks over 2.4 and 5GHz bands. This could be just for the same TV swapping capability we saw on the Sonos Ace, or it could mean that these new headphones will support music streaming over Wi-Fi like Sonos’ speakers.
It’s been over two years since the Sonos Ace headphones were released, and that launch was overshadowed by the troublesome redesigned app rollout, which was likely pushed out early because the old app would not have supported the Ace. While the Sonos Ace were comfortable and stylish with good sound and ANC, they weren’t quite as good as comparatively priced headphones of the time like the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Sennheiser Momentum 4. And because of the app issues, the Sonos ecosystem integration was buggy.
But Sonos has come a long way and recovered from those woeful app relaunch days with some strong product releases, including the Arc Ultra soundbar and Play speaker. If Sonos takes the lessons learned from the original Ace — and we do indeed see new headphones in the coming weeks or months — they could signal the full return of Sonos.
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