Consumer Protection

Don’t Trust AI With Your Secrets: A Practical Guide to Privacy Risks You’ve probably asked a chatbot for help planning a trip, drafting an email, or even thinking through a personal problem. The convenience is real. But behind that helpful interface lies a less visible trade-off: your data. A recent article from Escudo Digital titled “The privacy myth: why you shouldn’t trust AI with your secrets” puts a spotlight on a growing concern that many users overlook. This isn’t about scaring you away from useful tools—it’s about understanding what you’re really agreeing to when you type a message into a chat window. ...

Fake Prom Dress Websites: How to Spot and Avoid Them Prom season is a busy time for both shoppers and scammers. Every year, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) receives reports of fraudulent websites that appear to sell prom dresses at irresistible prices, but instead take consumers’ money and personal information — or deliver nothing at all. This year, the BBB issued an alert specifically for shoppers in the Hudson Valley, New York, though the scam is not limited to that region. If you or your teen are shopping online for a prom dress, understanding how to recognize these fake sites can save you time, money, and frustration. ...

New Pew Data: One in Three Americans Has Been Scammed While Shopping Online. Here’s What to Know. The numbers are striking. According to a November 2025 survey from the Pew Research Center, roughly one in three U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That’s about 32% of the population — a figure that should give any regular online shopper reason to pause. ...

Prom Dress Scams Are Everywhere – Here’s How to Avoid Them Prom season is in full swing, and if you’re hunting for the perfect dress online, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, scammers are counting on it. The Better Business Bureau recently issued an alert for the Hudson Valley region warning shoppers about fraudulent websites that take your money and never deliver. While the alert originated locally, the problem is nationwide, and it pays to know the warning signs before you click “buy.” ...

One in Three Americans Has Been Scammed Shopping Online. Here’s How to Avoid It. If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or clicked a link from a social media ad and ended up on a site that looked real but wasn’t, you’re not alone. New data from the Pew Research Center shows that about a third of Americans say they’ve experienced an online shopping scam. That’s roughly 33 percent of U.S. adults—and the number may be higher since many scams go unreported. ...

1 in 3 Americans Have Been Scammed Online Shopping: Here’s How to Avoid It If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or paid for a product that turned out to be counterfeit, you’re not alone. According to a 2025 Pew Research Center survey, roughly one in three American adults (35 percent) say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That number is high enough that most of us either know someone affected or have been affected ourselves. And with more people buying through social media ads, unfamiliar websites, and peer‑to‑peer marketplaces, the risk isn’t going away. This article explains the most common scams and what you can do to avoid them. ...

1 in 3 Americans Has Been Scammed Online Shopping — Here’s How to Avoid It If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or paid for a “deal” that turned out to be fake, you’re far from alone. New data from Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, found that about a third of Americans (34%) say they have experienced an online shopping scam. As holiday shopping ramps up, that number is likely to climb. Understanding the most common tricks—and knowing a few simple precautions—can make the difference between a successful purchase and a costly mistake. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before They Cost You If you shop online—and most of us do—you have almost certainly encountered a scam attempt. Fake websites, phishing emails, and too-good-to-be-true deals are everywhere. Government agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) regularly warn consumers about these threats. Their guidance is especially aimed at veterans and seniors, who are frequent targets, but the advice applies to anyone with a credit card and an internet connection. ...

Mother’s Day Shopping Scams: How to Spot Fake Deals and Stay Safe Mother’s Day spending has been climbing for years—recent estimates put the total at more than $30 billion nationally. As the holiday approaches, scammers are taking notice. Fake online stores, phishing emails disguised as gift guides, and counterfeit products are showing up earlier and more frequently than usual. If you’re planning to buy a gift online, it helps to know what to look for. ...

Mother’s Day Shopping Alert: How to Spot and Avoid Scams This Season Mother’s Day is one of the busiest shopping periods of the year, and this season is expected to see record online spending. Where money flows, scammers follow. Local news outlets such as WREX have already reported on the heightened risk of fraud, warning consumers to stay alert. The good news is that most scams follow predictable patterns. Knowing a few red flags and simple precautions can keep your gift from turning into a headache. ...