Consumer Protection

How to Avoid Online Shopping Scams: What the Data Shows and What You Can Do If you shop online, you are not alone in worrying about getting scammed. A recent survey from the Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, found that roughly one in three Americans say they have experienced an online shopping scam firsthand. That figure is worth pausing over, especially as the holiday shopping season ramps up and scam artists become more active. ...

AI Is Outpacing Data Rules—Here’s What That Means for Your Privacy If you’ve used an AI chatbot, voice assistant, or photo editing app lately, you’re not alone. AI tools are now part of everyday life. But according to a recent article in Computing UK, the rapid adoption of AI has “outpaced the data discipline that should govern it.” That gap matters for anyone who shares personal information with these tools—which is nearly everyone. ...

AI Tools Are Running Ahead of Data Privacy Rules – What You Need to Know What happened A recent report from Computing UK (May 12, 2026) highlights a growing disconnect: the use of AI tools has outpaced the data discipline that should govern it. In plain terms, companies are deploying chatbots, image generators, and writing assistants faster than they are putting safeguards in place for the personal information those tools collect. ...

Your AI Assistant Is Collecting More Data Than You Think—Here’s How to Protect It If you’ve used a chatbot like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, or an image generator like Midjourney, you’ve probably noticed how quickly it can answer questions or create content. What’s less visible is how much of your personal data these tools collect in the process. A recent article in Computing UK highlights a growing problem: AI adoption is racing ahead, while the data governance needed to keep it safe is lagging behind. For everyday users, that gap creates real privacy risks. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams: Practical Safety Tips The convenience of online shopping is hard to beat, but it also attracts scammers looking to separate you from your money and personal information. Government agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation regularly issue warnings about common schemes, especially during sales events like Black Friday or the holiday season. While the advice is aimed at everyone, it’s especially relevant for those who may not be as familiar with digital safety. Here’s a rundown of what’s happening, why it matters, and what you can do to protect yourself. ...

1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams—Protect Yourself Now If you shop online, you’ve probably seen too-good-to-be-true deals or received an email about a package you never ordered. According to a November 2025 survey by Pew Research Center, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s not a niche problem—it’s a widespread threat that affects people across age groups and income levels. This article explains what the data shows, why it matters, and what you can do to avoid becoming part of that statistic. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts scammers who set up fake stores, send phishing emails, or advertise deals that are too good to be true. Government agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regularly warn consumers to stay vigilant. This guide outlines what is happening, why it matters, and practical steps you can take to protect yourself. ...

1 in 3 Americans Has Been Scammed While Shopping Online — Here’s What to Know If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or clicked a link in an email that looked like an order confirmation but turned out to be a phishing trap, you’re not alone. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, about a third of U.S. adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That’s roughly one out of every three online shoppers — and the numbers are worth paying attention to, especially as holiday shopping season ramps up. ...

Online shopping scams hit a third of Americans – here’s what to watch for A recent survey from the Pew Research Center found that about a third of U.S. adults (33%) say they have experienced an online shopping scam. The data, released in November 2025, underscores how widespread these schemes have become. Whether you’re a seasoned online buyer or someone who only shops occasionally, the risk is real—and it’s worth knowing what to look for. ...

Prom Dress Scams Are Real – What to Watch For This Season If you or your teen are shopping for a prom dress online, you’ve probably seen ads for deals that seem too good to pass up. But the Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently warned shoppers in the Hudson Valley—and across the country—about fake websites set up specifically to steal money and personal information from prom-goers. ...