Consumer Safety

Fake Prom Dress Sites Are Scamming Shoppers: How to Spot and Avoid Them Introduction Prom season is here, and with it comes a familiar flood of ads for discounted formalwear. But not every bargain is real. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently issued an alert warning shoppers about fake prom dress websites that look legitimate but exist only to steal your money and personal information. While the alert was focused on the Hudson Valley region, the same scam is active nationwide. Here’s what’s happening and how to protect yourself. ...

Spot Fake Prom Dress Sites Before You Lose Money – BBB Warning Each spring, as prom season ramps up, scammers launch dozens of look-alike dress websites designed to part shoppers from their money. The Better Business Bureau has just issued a fresh alert for the Hudson Valley region, but the problem is nationwide. If you or your teen are shopping for formal wear online, knowing how to spot the fakes can save you hundreds of dollars and a lot of disappointment. ...

New Pew Data Shows 1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams – Here’s How to Stay Safe If you’ve bought something online in the past few years, you may have wondered how common shopping scams really are. A Pew Research Center study released in November 2025 now puts a number on it: about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s roughly 33% of U.S. adults – and given how fast these scams change, the figure may already be higher for some groups. ...

One in Three Americans Has Been Scammed While Shopping Online – What to Know If you’ve ever clicked on a too-good-to-be-true deal and ended up losing money or having your card stolen, you’re not alone. According to new research from the Pew Research Center, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. The data, released in late 2025, shows that 34% of U.S. adults have personally experienced this type of fraud. ...

One in Three Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam – Here’s How to Stay Safe Intro If you shop online, you’ve probably heard warnings about scams. But a new study from the Pew Research Center puts a number on just how common these frauds have become. According to data released in late 2025, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s roughly 33% of U.S. adults — meaning if you haven’t been targeted yourself, someone you know likely has. ...

How to Spot Fake Prom Dress Websites: What the BBB’s Latest Warning Means for Shoppers The Better Business Bureau has issued a fresh alert for shoppers in the Hudson Valley, warning that fraudulent websites selling prom dresses are popping up just as the season gets underway. While the warning was initially aimed at local residents, the pattern is nationwide. Parents, teens, and anyone buying formalwear online should know the warning signs before they hand over their credit card details. ...

Prom Dress Shopping? Watch Out for These Fake Website Scams Prom season is here, and so are the scams. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently warned shoppers in the Hudson Valley about fake prom dress websites that are popping up to steal money and personal information. While the warning was specific to that region, similar fraudulent sites have been showing up across the country. If you or your teen is shopping for a dress online, it’s worth knowing how to spot these traps before you hand over your credit card. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: A Shopper’s Guide Online shopping offers convenience and often better prices, but it also attracts scammers looking to separate you from your money or personal information. Fraudulent websites, phony deals, and phishing emails are common, and they can target anyone. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has published guidance to help consumers, including veterans, watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping. The advice applies broadly. Here’s what you need to know. ...

A third of Americans have faced an online shopping scam — here’s how to avoid being next If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or paid a seller who vanished after taking your money, you’re not alone. A Pew Research Center survey from November 2025 found that about a third of U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. The figure is striking, especially as holiday shopping ramps up and more people turn to social media platforms and payment apps to make purchases. This guide explains what the data shows, why it matters for everyday shoppers, and — most importantly — how to reduce your chances of being the next victim. ...

1 in 3 Americans Has Been Scammed While Shopping Online – Are You Protected? A fresh study from Pew Research Center, released in November 2025, found that about one in three U.S. adults (33%) say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That is not a niche problem — it is a widespread hazard that touches every demographic. And with holiday shopping, deep discounts, and social media ads flooding inboxes, the risk only grows. ...