Consumer Safety

Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Tips to Shop Safely and Protect Your Money Online shopping is convenient, but it also draws scammers. Each year, thousands of consumers lose money to fake websites, phishing emails, and deals that seem too good to be true. Government agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), regularly publish guidance to help shoppers stay safe. While some of those articles focus on veterans, the advice applies to anyone buying goods online. ...

1 in 3 Americans Were Scammed Online—Here’s How to Protect Yourself If you’ve ever clicked a tempting ad on social media or received an email about a deal that seemed too good to be true, you’re not alone. A new Pew Research Center survey, conducted in July 2025 and published this November, found that about one in three U.S. adults say they’ve experienced an online shopping scam. With holiday shopping ramping up, that number could rise. Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening and practical steps you can take to avoid joining that statistic. ...

Online Shopping Scams Are Everywhere. Here’s How to Stay Safe. The convenience of buying almost anything online comes with a persistent risk: scams. Government agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Trade Commission, regularly issue warnings about fraudsters targeting shoppers. Whether you’re a seasoned online buyer or just starting out, knowing the warning signs can save you money and frustration. This guide pulls together official advice on how to recognize common scams, protect your personal information, and respond if something goes wrong. ...

1 in 3 Americans Say They’ve Been Scammed Shopping Online — Here’s How to Stay Safe A new Pew Research Center survey published in November 2025 found that roughly one in three Americans report having experienced an online shopping scam. That means if you shop online, there’s a good chance either you or someone you know has been hit. With Mother’s Day, Black Friday, and the broader holiday season on the calendar, scammers are especially active right now. Here’s what the data says and what you can do about it. ...

1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams, Pew Finds – How to Protect Yourself If you’ve ever clicked a too-good-to-be-true deal and ended up with nothing but an empty bank account, you’re not alone. According to a new Pew Research Center survey published in November 2025, about one in three U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That’s roughly 33% of American shoppers—a number that warrants attention whether you shop every week or only during the holiday rush. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams Targeting Veterans Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts scammers who know that veterans and military families are often targeted for benefit fraud and identity theft. The Department of Veterans Affairs has published several alerts over the past year warning about fake websites, phishing emails, and counterfeit goods that impersonate the VA or promise discounts to veterans. The risk is highest around holidays and benefit payment dates, but the same tactics are used year-round. ...

Don’t Get Tricked: How to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before You Pay Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts scammers looking to steal your money or personal information. According to recent alerts from VA News (.gov), fraudulent websites, phishing emails, and fake social media ads remain persistent threats. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that online shopping scams consistently rank among the top consumer complaints, with losses reaching hundreds of millions of dollars each year. The good news is that most scams share common warning signs. Learning to spot them can keep your purchases safe. ...

Fraud Surge Targeting Older Adults: How to Spot Tech Scams Before You Lose Money Fraud cases involving phone calls, texts, and emails are rising sharply among people aged 50 and older. Recent reports from CBS News and AARP show that losses in Florida alone topped $258 million in 2025, and impersonation scams — where someone pretends to be a government agency, a tech company, or a family member — increased 148% compared to the previous year. If you or someone you care for is in this age group, it’s worth understanding what’s driving this wave and how you can reduce the risk. ...

Parking Violation Scam Alert: North Carolina Drivers Warned About Fake Tickets If you receive a text, email, or even a printed notice on your windshield saying you owe money for a parking violation—and it demands immediate payment—pause before you pay. North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson recently issued a consumer alert about a wave of parking violation scams targeting drivers across the state. Fraudsters are impersonating parking authorities, city governments, and even the DMV to trick people into sending money for tickets that don’t exist. ...

Don’t Get Wrapped Up in a Scam: How to Spot and Stop Gift Card Fraud A recent consumer alert from the District of Columbia Attorney General, Brian Schwalb, serves as a critical reminder: gift card scams are not a minor nuisance; they are a pervasive and financially devastating form of fraud. These scams succeed because they exploit trust, urgency, and a common misconception that gift cards are a legitimate form of payment to companies or government agencies. They are not. Understanding how these scams work is your first and best defense. ...