1 in 3 Americans Have Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam: Here’s How to Stay Safe

1 in 3 Americans Have Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam: Here’s How to Stay Safe A new study from the Pew Research Center puts a number on something many of us have suspected: online shopping scams are far from rare. According to the survey, about a third of U.S. adults (34%) say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That figure covers everything from paying for items that never arrive to receiving counterfeit goods or having payment credentials stolen through fake retailer sites. ...

May 10, 2026 · 6 min · BriefArc Desk

How to Spot Fake Prom Dress Websites: BBB Warning and Shopping Tips

How to Spot Fake Prom Dress Websites: BBB Warning and Shopping Tips Prom season is a busy time for shoppers, especially in the Hudson Valley where the Better Business Bureau recently issued an alert about fake websites that target teens and parents looking for prom dresses. These scam sites look legitimate at first glance, but they are designed to take your money and deliver nothing in return. Here’s what happened, why it matters, and how you can protect yourself. ...

May 9, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

1 in 3 Americans Have Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam – Here’s How to Spot One

1 in 3 Americans Have Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam – Here’s How to Spot One If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or clicked a too-good-to-be-true deal that turned out to be fake, you’re not alone. A new study from the Pew Research Center, released in November 2025, found that about one in three U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That’s a staggering number, and it comes at a time when holiday shopping peaks and scam attempts surge. ...

April 30, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk