Consumer Protection

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. ...

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. ...

Don’t Get Scammed This Mother’s Day: How to Spot Fake Deals and Phishing Traps With Mother’s Day just around the corner, millions of shoppers are looking for gifts online. Scammers know this, and they are already setting up fake websites, sending phishing emails, and running gift card schemes designed to steal money and personal data. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued its annual alert, warning that holiday shopping periods, especially Mother’s Day, are prime time for fraud. ...

Don’t let scammers ruin your Mother’s Day shopping: Tips to avoid fake deals and phishing Mother’s Day is one of the busiest shopping periods of the year, and this year is expected to see record spending. Unfortunately, that also means scammers are working overtime to take advantage of shoppers looking for gifts online. Here’s what’s happening and how you can protect yourself without losing the convenience of internet shopping. ...

5 Mother’s Day Scams to Watch Out For (and How to Avoid Them) Mother’s Day is one of the biggest spending holidays in the United States, and this year is no exception. Record levels of consumer spending—on flowers, jewelry, brunch reservations, and gift baskets—also attract scammers looking to cash in. News outlets such as WREX have already reported an uptick in fraudulent schemes tied to the holiday. ...

Mother’s Day Shopping Scams Are Surging — Here’s How to Spot Them Before You Buy Mother’s Day spending is expected to hit record levels this year, according to a recent report from WREX (May 2026). While that’s good news for retailers, it’s also a predictable signal for scammers looking to cash in. Fraudsters know that shoppers are more likely to click on a deal or open an e-card in the days leading up to the holiday. The question isn’t whether you’ll encounter a scam attempt — it’s whether you’ll recognize it before handing over your money or personal information. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Practical Advice from VA News Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts fraudsters looking to steal your money or personal information. Scams can appear in many forms—fake websites, phishing emails, or too-good-to-be-true social media ads. Government sources like the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regularly publish warnings and guidance to help consumers protect themselves, especially during high-traffic shopping periods. This article distills key tips from recent VA News articles so you can shop with more confidence. ...

1 in 3 Americans Have Been Scammed Shopping Online. Here’s How to Avoid It. Online shopping has become so routine that it’s easy to forget how quickly a good deal can turn into a loss. According to a November 2025 report from the Pew Research Center, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s not a fringe problem—it’s a widespread threat that touches people across age groups, income levels, and shopping platforms. ...