08.10.26 Breaking Phone Addiction / Know The Affinity Fraud Trap

August 10, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Breaking Phone Addiction & The Affinity Fraud Trap

When Clark Howard first heard about a $60 device called the "Brick" that claims to break phone addiction, he rolled his eyes. But then the reports started coming in. Overwhelmingly, people said it was the only thing that had ever worked for them to reduce screen time. "When would you ever hear me say go pay $60 for behavior mod? Never," Clark says. Yet here he is, grudgingly recommending it for people whose phone use is harming their relationships or work performance.

How the Brick Works

The Brick is not a physical brick—it's a small device paired with an app. You download the app, select which apps are your downfall (Facebook, games, dating sites, news—whatever you mindlessly scroll), and then tap your phone to the Brick. Those apps become inaccessible. No notifications, no temptation. The Wall Street Journal recently ran a story about how the device is gaining traction because users find it's the only method that actually works.

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What you'll learn

1 (01:27) **Breaking Phone Addiction with the 'Brick'** - Clark introduces a $60 device called the Brick that is receiving overwhelmingly positive reviews as the only thing that works to reduce screen time.
2 (06:00) **A Cautionary Tale of Going Phone-Free** - Krista shares a personal story about the unintended consequences of trying to disconnect from her phone for one evening.
3 (08:01) **Travel Advice for a Family of Five** - Katie from Tennessee asks if standard travel advice changes for a family with young children who prefer outdoor trips to expensive theme parks.
4 (11:07) **Debit Card vs. Credit Card Protections** - Jake from Georgia asks for clarification on whether debit cards with a Visa or MasterCard logo offer the same protections as credit cards.
5 (13:20) **High-Yield Checking vs. Debit Card Risk** - Catherine from Washington asks if she should move savings to a credit union checking account paying 4.25% with no limit, despite requiring 12 debit card transactions per month.
6 (18:41) **The Affinity Fraud Trap: Lessons from NFL Players** - Clark pivots to a major story about NFL players who allegedly lost millions of dollars to a scam involving fake Shopify-powered businesses.
7 (21:37) **How Affinity Fraud Targets You** - Clark explains that this is not just an athlete problem; it is an "affinity fraud" that targets people in the same organization, religion, or community.

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Guests on this episode

Clark Howard

Show Notes

Are you looking to break free from the time killing, mindless scrolling of phone addiction? Clark reviews the popular Brick Phone Lock—a $60 physical device paired with an app designed to lock you out of your most distracting apps. This tool might be a game-changer if phone addiction is actively hurting your productivity, work, and/or personal relationships.

Also, a massive investigative report reveals how high-profile NFL players lost millions to a sophisticated e-commerce scheme using fake Shopify stores and manipulated earnings simulations. Clark breaks down how over $1 billion has been stolen from professional athletes—and what can be learned from it. Know how to spot the red flags, protect your hard-earned money, and avoid falling for the same trap—no matter who recommends the deal.

Plus, Christa shares your #AskClark questions and Clark gives his take. All this and more on the August 10, 2026, episode of The Clark Howard Show. Submit your opinions or questions: Ask Clark.

STOP Scrolling: Segment 1
Ask Clark: Segment 2
Affinity Fraud: Segment 3
Ask Clark: Segment 4

Mentioned on the show: