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How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: A Guide for Consumers Winter and holiday shopping season brings a surge in online deals — and unfortunately, a surge in scams. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recently issued a warning urging veterans and all consumers to stay alert while shopping online. Whether you’re buying gifts, household essentials, or taking advantage of seasonal sales, knowing how to recognize fraudulent offers can save you money and protect your personal information. ...

AI Scribing Tools: What the Australian Government’s Warning Means for Your Privacy The use of artificial intelligence to transcribe medical consultations has grown quickly in recent years. Doctors and patients often appreciate the convenience: no typing, better eye contact, and a record that can be immediately added to the patient’s file. But a recent warning from the Australian government has made it clear that these tools come with significant privacy and safety risks. If you are a patient or a healthcare provider using or considering AI scribing, here is what you need to know. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams Online shopping has become a normal part of daily life for millions of people. But the convenience comes with real risks. According to data from the Federal Trade Commission, reports of online shopping fraud have risen sharply in recent years, and government agencies continue to issue alerts about scams targeting consumers. A recent article from VA News (.gov) reminds shoppers to be vigilant, especially when deals seem too good to be true. This guide walks through what you need to know to protect yourself. ...

Online Shopping Scams Are on the Rise: How to Spot and Stop Them If you shop online regularly, you’ve probably noticed more emails, texts, and social media ads pushing deals that seem almost too good to pass up. Unfortunately, many of those are scams designed to steal your money or personal information. Government agencies have been issuing warnings about these threats for years, and the alerts keep coming. In January 2026, the Department of Veterans Affairs published an article specifically telling people to watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping. It’s a reminder that everyone—especially those who use VA benefits or other government services—needs to stay cautious. ...

InfoQ Launches AI Security & Privacy Cohort for Regulated Industries: What You Need to Know Intro If you work on AI systems in a regulated industry, you’ve probably felt the tension between moving quickly and staying compliant. Finance, healthcare, and government organizations now rely on machine learning models for everything from fraud detection to clinical decision support, but those same models introduce new security and privacy risks that traditional IT controls aren’t designed to handle. ...

How to Spot a Fake Auction Website: BBB Warns of Scam Using Phony South Dakota Address If you shop for secondhand goods or collectibles online, auction websites can be a convenient way to find deals. But not every site that looks legitimate actually is. The Better Business Bureau recently issued a warning about an auction website that used a fake South Dakota address to appear credible. The case is a reminder that scammers often borrow real-world details to make their operations look believable—and that a listed address alone is no guarantee of trustworthiness. ...

1 in 3 Americans Have Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam — How to Protect Yourself If you’ve ever clicked a too-good-to-be-true deal on social media, only to receive nothing or a counterfeit product, you’re far from alone. According to a new survey from the Pew Research Center, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s roughly 33% of U.S. adults — a figure that underscores just how widespread fraud has become in the digital marketplace. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Tips from the VA Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts scammers looking to steal your money or personal information. The Department of Veterans Affairs has published several alerts and guides on this topic, warning that fake websites, phishing emails, and even QR code scams are on the rise. Whether you are a veteran using VA benefits or anyone shopping online, knowing how to recognize these threats can save you time, money, and stress. ...

Scam ads are getting harder to spot—here’s what to watch for You’ve probably seen them: a social media ad for a designer handbag at 80% off, or a celebrity “endorsing” a supplement they never mentioned. These aren’t just annoying—they’re part of a growing wave of scam ads that cost consumers money and erode trust in legitimate brands. ...

The Android Productivity App That Finally Helped Me Stop App-Hopping If you’ve ever found yourself switching between a task manager, a notes app, a calendar, a to-do list, and a project tracker—only to realize you’ve spent more time managing the apps than actually getting work done—you know the pain of “app-hopping.” It’s a cycle many of us fall into: we try a new tool, feel productive for a week, then hit a limitation and start hunting for the next shiny solution. For Android users especially, the Play Store offers endless alternatives, but few actually solve the core problem: fragmentation. ...