Consumer Protection

How to Spot an Online Boutique Scam: What a 17-Time Arrest Case Reveals If you buy clothes, accessories, or home goods from small online boutiques—especially those run through Instagram, Facebook Marketplace, or standalone e-commerce sites—you’ve likely encountered stores that look polished but feel a bit off. A recent case in South Carolina underscores just how common and organized these scams can be. A boutique owner was arrested 17 times this year in connection with an online shopping scam, raising questions about how consumers can tell the difference between a legitimate small business and a fraud operation. ...

How to Spot Fake Prom Dress Websites Before You Lose Money Prom season is a stressful time for families, with pressure to find the perfect dress at a reasonable price. Scammers know this, and they have been setting up fake prom dress websites that look legitimate but are designed only to take your money. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently issued an alert for shoppers in the Hudson Valley, but the threat is widespread. Understanding how these scams work and what to look for can save you hundreds of dollars and a lot of frustration. ...

Fake Prom Dress Websites Are Popping Up – How to Avoid Getting Scammed What’s happening The Better Business Bureau (BBB) issued an alert in early May 2026 warning shoppers in the Hudson Valley about fraudulent websites selling prom dresses. These sites appear legitimate at first glance but are designed to steal money and personal information. While the alert originated in New York, the scam pattern is not localized—similar fake storefronts have appeared nationwide during prom season. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams This Season Online shopping is convenient, but every holiday season brings a surge in scams. According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lost $8.8 billion to fraud in 2022, and many of those losses came from shopping-related schemes. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation have recently issued alerts about fake websites, phishing emails, and too‑good‑to‑be‑true deals that target shoppers — especially veterans and seniors. This article draws on guidance from VA News (.gov) to help you watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping. ...

1 in 3 Americans Have Experienced an Online Shopping Scam: What to Watch For A new survey from Pew Research Center shows that roughly one in three U.S. adults say they have personally been the victim of an online shopping scam. That figure is a reminder that fraudulent sellers and fake storefronts are not rare anomalies – they are a routine hazard for anyone buying goods or services over the internet. The risk is especially high during busy shopping periods, when people are browsing quickly and may let their guard down. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams (and What to Do If You Get Tricked) Online shopping has become second nature for most of us. But the convenience also attracts scammers looking to steal payment details, personal information, or even your entire purchase. Government agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) regularly issue reminders that these threats are not going away. The good news is that most scams follow predictable patterns, and knowing what to look for can keep your money and data safe. ...

How to Spot a Fake Prom Dress Website Before You Get Scammed Prom season comes with enough stress—finding the right dress, coordinating with friends, staying within budget. The last thing anyone needs is to lose money to a scam site that looks legitimate at first glance. The Better Business Bureau recently issued an alert for the Hudson Valley area warning shoppers about fake prom dress websites that steal both payment information and personal data. While the warning originated in New York, these scams are active nationwide, and they tend to spike as proms approach. ...

Nearly One in Three Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam — Here’s What to Watch For If you shop online — and most of us do — there’s a decent chance you’ve run into a scam without realizing it. According to a recent Pew Research Center study, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s a striking number, and it suggests that even cautious shoppers are getting caught off guard. ...

One in Three Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam: How to Protect Yourself If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or clicked a link in an email that turned out to be a fake storefront, you’re not alone. According to a Pew Research Center survey published in November 2025, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s 33 percent of U.S. adults—a figure that should give any regular online shopper pause. ...

Fake Prom Dress Websites Are Everywhere — Here’s How to Avoid Them Prom season is here, and across the country, high school students and their families are searching for the perfect dress online. Unfortunately, scammers know this too. Every spring, a wave of fake e-commerce sites springs up, offering stunning gowns at suspiciously low prices. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued alerts about these fraudulent stores in multiple regions, including a recent warning for shoppers in the Hudson Valley area of New York. ...