Consumer Protection

How to Outsmart Online Shopping Scams – Tips You Can Use Today Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts fraud. According to the FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report, Americans lost billions of dollars to online shopping scams last year. These scams are especially active around major sales events like Prime Day and Black Friday, but they happen all year. The good news is that most scams can be avoided with a few simple checks. Here’s what you need to know. ...

AI Is Changing Cyber Risks: How to Protect Your Privacy Now A few years ago, the biggest online privacy concern might have been a leaked password or a phishing email that was fairly easy to spot. That’s no longer the case. As artificial intelligence tools become part of everyday life—from chatbots and voice assistants to image generators and personalized shopping recommendations—the cyber threats targeting your personal data have grown more sophisticated and harder to detect. ...

How Rising Costs Make You More Vulnerable to Scams — and What to Do About It Higher prices are leaving many households with thinner margins, less savings, and more stress. That same financial pressure is being exploited by scammers, according to a recent survey covered by Fox 59. The report highlights a troubling pattern: as living costs climb, scam attempts increase and more people fall for them. Understanding why this happens—and what you can do about it—is essential for protecting your money. ...

Higher Costs Make You a Bigger Scam Target: What to Watch For Now When money gets tight, it’s natural to look for ways to save, earn extra cash, or delay payments. Unfortunately, scammers know this and adjust their tactics accordingly. A recent survey reported by Fox 59 suggests that rising living costs are directly linked to an increase in scam attempts. While the exact methodology of that survey should be verified, the pattern itself is well documented by consumer protection agencies. Here’s what’s happening and how you can protect yourself without adding to your stress. ...

How Higher Costs Are Making You More Vulnerable to Scams—and What to Do When money gets tight, it’s natural to look for ways to save, borrow, or earn quickly. Scammers know this, and they adjust their tactics accordingly. A recent survey covered by Fox 59 found that rising costs are increasing scam risks across the country. While the full details of that survey aren’t yet public, the pattern is familiar: financial strain makes people more willing to take chances they wouldn’t normally consider. This article explains why that happens and offers concrete steps you can take to protect yourself and your family. ...

Rising Costs? Scammers Are Taking Advantage – Here’s How to Spot Their Tricks When money gets tight, the last thing anyone needs is to lose more of it to a fraudster. Yet a recent survey reported by Fox 59 points to an uncomfortable trend: as the cost of living climbs, scam attempts are rising alongside it. The connection isn’t accidental. Financial stress makes people more likely to jump at offers that seem like relief, and scammers know exactly how to exploit that urgency. ...

Why Higher Costs Mean More Scams — and How to Protect Yourself If you’re feeling squeezed by rising prices, you’re not alone—and unfortunately, scammers are paying attention. A recent survey reported by Fox 59 suggests that higher costs are making people more vulnerable to fraud. While the full methodology of the survey isn’t publicly available in the initial coverage, the pattern it describes is one that consumer protection experts have warned about for years: financial stress erodes our usual caution, and fraudsters know exactly how to exploit that. ...

Rising Costs Make You a Bigger Scam Target — Here’s How to Protect Yourself A new survey has highlighted a troubling pattern: as living costs climb, so does the number of people falling for scams. The report, covered by Fox 59, found that higher expenses are making consumers more vulnerable to fraud. While the exact statistics aren’t public yet, the core finding matches what consumer protection advocates have warned about for years—financial pressure clouds judgment and opens the door to exploitation. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Social Media Scams and Digital Party Traps in 2026 Every year, scammers refine their tactics, and social media remains a fertile ground for fraud. In 2026, one growing concern is the “digital party trap”—fake event invitations designed to steal personal information or money. If you use Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or any other platform to connect with friends or find local events, these scams are worth understanding. ...

A Third of Americans Have Been Scammed Shopping Online: Here’s How to Avoid It New data from the Pew Research Center, published in late 2025, found that roughly one in three U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That figure is not just a headline: it reflects a problem that touches millions of households, and one that continues to evolve as scammers adapt to new platforms and payment methods. ...