Consumer Protection

How to Spot and Avoid Scams During Prime Day and Father’s Day Sales If you’re planning to shop for Father’s Day or jump into Prime Day deals, you’re not alone. Analysts predict record spending this year, which means both legitimate retailers and scammers will be competing for your attention. The difference is that scammers don’t want your business—they want your money and personal information. Here’s what you need to know to shop safely. ...

Shop Smart This Prime Day and Father’s Day: Avoid Scams and Save Real Money Father’s Day and Amazon Prime Day fall close together this summer, and analysts expect record online spending. That also means a surge in scams targeting shoppers who are hunting for deals. Fake discount codes, phishing emails that look like they come from major retailers, and counterfeit products are all more common during these peak periods. Here’s what to watch for and how to protect your money and personal information. ...

Prime Day and Father’s Day: How to Shop Smart and Outsmart Scammers Record spending is expected this Father’s Day and ahead of Prime Day, according to reports. But where there’s a surge in online shopping, there’s usually a surge in scams. Phishing emails, fake websites, and counterfeit goods all become more common when shoppers are hunting for deals. ...

6 Privacy Tool Updates You Need to Make Now for AI-Powered Threats Artificial intelligence is reshaping cybersecurity — for attackers. Phishing emails are more convincing, deepfake voice scams can mimic a friend or colleague, and automated tools hunt for software vulnerabilities faster than ever. The World Economic Forum recently highlighted how AI is accelerating cybercrime by exposing flaws in existing systems and enabling attacks at scale. For everyday users, the old privacy habits — a decent password, a vague privacy setting — are no longer enough. ...

Don’t Get Tricked: How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Shop Safely Online shopping has become a daily habit for many of us. Convenience, a wider selection, and often better prices make it hard to resist. But scammers know this too. Every year, thousands of people lose money to fake websites, phony deals, and payment fraud. The 2024 FBI Internet Crime Report (released in 2025) noted that losses from online shopping scams continued to climb, and the VA regularly warns veterans and their families to stay vigilant. Whether you’re buying a gift, a household item, or a service, learning the red flags can save you time and money. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: A Practical Guide Based on Official Advice Online shopping has become second nature for most of us. A few clicks and a package arrives at your door within days. But that convenience also attracts scammers who are constantly refining their tactics. The good news is that federal agencies—including the VA, the Federal Trade Commission, and the FBI—regularly publish clear guidance on how to recognize and avoid these scams. This article pulls together their latest advice, with special attention to veterans and military families, though the tips apply to everyone. ...

3 Ways to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before You Lose Money Shopping online is convenient, but it also opens the door to scammers who have grown more sophisticated. In the past year, the FBI, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Department of Veterans Affairs have all issued warnings about the rising tide of online shopping fraud. The FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report, released in May 2025, put the total losses from online shopping scams in the billions. The VA, meanwhile, has been reminding veterans and military families to watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping. ...

1 in 3 Americans Have Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam — Here’s How to Protect Yourself If you shop online—and most of us do—the odds that you’ve been targeted by a scam are higher than you might think. According to a 2025 Pew Research Center report, about a third of Americans say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That’s not just a few people falling for obvious traps. It suggests that deceptive sellers, fake websites, and phishing schemes are now a routine part of the e-commerce landscape. ...

1 in 3 Americans Has Been Scammed Shopping Online – Here’s How to Avoid It A recent study from Pew Research Center found that about a third of Americans say they’ve experienced an online shopping scam. That number is high enough to make anyone think twice before hitting “buy now.” The good news is that most of these scams follow predictable patterns, and once you know what to look for, you can avoid them without much effort. ...

Online Shopping Scams Hit One in Three Americans: What You Need to Know A new study from the Pew Research Center reports that roughly one in three U.S. adults say they have fallen victim to an online shopping scam. The research, published in November 2025, draws on a nationally representative survey and offers a clear picture of how widespread the problem has become. Whether you shop frequently or only occasionally, understanding the scope of these scams—and knowing how to avoid them—can save you money and frustration. ...