Consumer Protection

How to spot and avoid online shopping scams this season Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts fraudsters. Scams that target shoppers are becoming more common, especially during major sales events and the holiday season. Government agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Trade Commission, have issued warnings about the most frequent tactics. The good news is that most scams follow predictable patterns, and a few simple precautions can keep you safe. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Shopping Scams on Facebook and Instagram Right Now If you’ve bought or sold anything on Facebook Marketplace or Instagram, you’ve probably noticed that scams are everywhere. Dutch authorities recently made that official: after an investigation, they concluded that Meta isn’t doing nearly enough to protect users from online shopping fraud. For shoppers, that means the responsibility falls back on you. Here’s what’s happening, why it matters, and—most importantly—how to keep your money safe. ...

1 in 3 Americans Has Experienced an Online Shopping Scam — Are You Protected? If you buy things online—whether from major retailers, social media marketplaces, or through a payment app—you’re not alone if something has gone wrong. A new survey from the Pew Research Center found that roughly one in three U.S. adults say they have personally had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s a high enough number that it’s worth stepping back and understanding what’s really going on—and what you can do to avoid becoming another statistic. ...

Almost 1 in 3 Americans Have Been Scammed Shopping Online: Here’s How to Protect Yourself If you’ve ever clicked a too-good-to-be-true ad on social media or bought something from an unfamiliar website only to receive nothing—or a counterfeit—you are far from alone. A recent Pew Research Center survey found that about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That figure puts the problem squarely in the mainstream, not on the fringes of the internet. ...

AI Is Fueling a New Wave of Banking and Privacy Attacks — Here’s How to Stay Safe The same artificial intelligence that powers virtual assistants and recommendation engines is now being weaponized against consumers. Over the past year, security researchers have documented a sharp increase in attacks that use AI to bypass the defenses banks, retailers, and social media platforms rely on. The results range from drained bank accounts to stolen identities, and the techniques are getting harder to spot. ...

How AI Attacks Could Steal Your Money and Identity — and What to Do AI-powered scams are no longer a theoretical risk. Over the past year, security researchers and personal finance outlets like Kiplinger have documented a sharp increase in attacks that use artificial intelligence to impersonate people, bypass security systems, and drain bank accounts. The same technology that powers voice assistants and photo editors is now being weaponized against ordinary consumers. ...

1 in 3 Americans Have Been Scammed While Shopping Online: How to Stay Safe A new survey from the Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, puts a number on something many of us have suspected: online shopping scams are remarkably common. According to the data, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s roughly 33 percent of U.S. adults—a figure high enough to warrant a closer look at how these scams work and what you can do to avoid becoming the next victim. ...

1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams: How to Protect Yourself This Season If you shop online, you are not alone in worrying about getting cheated. According to a November 2025 survey by the Pew Research Center, about a third of U.S. adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That number jumps during the holiday season, when fake deals and fraudulent storefronts multiply. The good news is that most of these scams follow predictable patterns. Once you know what to look for, you can avoid them. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams — Practical Advice from Government Experts Online shopping scams aren’t going away, and they’re getting harder to spot. Fake websites, phishing emails, and too-good-to-be-true deals cost consumers millions each year. Government agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, regularly issue warnings about these threats. This guide brings together their advice to help you shop more safely. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before They Steal Your Money Online shopping has become routine for most of us, but the convenience comes with a growing risk. Scammers are constantly refining their tactics, and government agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation have issued repeated warnings. Whether you’re a seasoned online buyer or someone who only shops occasionally, understanding the common signs of a scam can save you money and stress. ...