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How to Avoid Online Shopping Scams: What the Data Shows and What You Can Do If you shop online, you are not alone in worrying about getting scammed. A recent survey from the Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, found that roughly one in three Americans say they have experienced an online shopping scam firsthand. That figure is worth pausing over, especially as the holiday shopping season ramps up and scam artists become more active. ...

Canada Just Set a New AI Privacy Rule — Here’s What It Means for You In May 2026, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) issued a ruling that directly restricts how companies can use personal data to train artificial intelligence models. The decision requires companies to obtain explicit consent before using anyone’s personal information for AI training. While the ruling aims to strengthen consumer privacy, it has also sparked debate about its effects on AI development and the tools millions of people use daily. ...

Avoiding Online Shopping Scams: What the New Pew Data Means for You If you shop online, the numbers are sobering. According to the Pew Research Center, roughly one in three U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That statistic comes from a survey published in late 2025, and it aligns with a broader trend: as online shopping grows, so do the tactics used to defraud buyers. With the holiday season in full swing, it’s worth understanding the scale of the problem and taking a few practical steps to protect yourself. ...

How to Protect Your Personal Data When Using ChatGPT: A Guide to PrivacyHawk If you use AI chatbots like ChatGPT regularly, you’ve probably wondered how much personal information you accidentally share during a conversation. Names, email addresses, phone numbers—these can slip into prompts without a second thought. And once submitted, that data may be stored, used for training, or exposed in a breach. ...

Venmo Finally Fixes Its Privacy Problem After Eight Years If you’ve used Venmo for more than a few years, you probably know that every transaction you made was public by default. That meant anyone with your username could see who you paid, what you bought (via the description), and how much you sent. Security researchers and privacy advocates have called this out since the app launched in 2009. Now, eight years after the first major criticisms, Venmo is finally changing the default. ...

Venmo Finally Fixes Its Privacy Settings—Here’s What Changed For years, sending money through Venmo meant your transactions could be seen by anyone who happened to browse the app’s public feed. That default was flagged as an “alarming” privacy risk as early as 2018, but it took eight years for the company to change course. Now, Venmo is finally making transactions private by default. Here’s what you need to know and how to check your own settings. ...

How to Spot Fake Prom Dress Websites: BBB Warns of Scams This Season Prom season is a big deal for many families, and finding the perfect dress often means hours of browsing online. Scammers know this. The Better Business Bureau recently warned shoppers in the Hudson Valley about fake prom dress websites that take money and never deliver. While the alert was local, the tactics are used nationwide, and the advice applies to anyone shopping for formalwear online this spring. ...

Fake Prom Dress Websites: How to Spot a Scam and Protect Your Money Prom season is a busy time for online shopping, and unfortunately, it’s also a prime opportunity for scammers. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently issued an alert warning shoppers in the Hudson Valley about fake prom dress websites that are designed to steal money and personal information. While the alert focused on that region, the threat is nationwide. Any parent or teen searching for that perfect dress at a bargain price could stumble into a trap. Here’s what you need to know to shop safely. ...

AI Is Outpacing Data Rules—Here’s What That Means for Your Privacy If you’ve used an AI chatbot, voice assistant, or photo editing app lately, you’re not alone. AI tools are now part of everyday life. But according to a recent article in Computing UK, the rapid adoption of AI has “outpaced the data discipline that should govern it.” That gap matters for anyone who shares personal information with these tools—which is nearly everyone. ...

Prom Dress Scams Are on the Rise: How to Avoid Fake Websites This Season Prom season is here, and scammers are setting up fake online dress retailers to take advantage of shoppers hunting for deals. The Better Business Bureau recently issued an alert to consumers in New York’s Hudson Valley region after detecting a wave of fraudulent sites targeting prom shoppers. While the warning was localized, the problem is national. If you or your teenager are planning to buy a prom dress online this spring, knowing the warning signs can save you money and frustration. ...