Cybersecurity

Practical Tips to Avoid Online Shopping Scams Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts fraudsters looking to steal payment information, login credentials, or even your identity. According to guidance from federal agencies including the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, common scams involve fake websites, phishing emails, and deals that are too good to be real. The good news is that a few straightforward habits can dramatically reduce your risk. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams This Season Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts scammers looking to steal your money or personal information. Recent alerts from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation remind us that these threats are evolving. Whether you’re a veteran managing benefits online or anyone buying gifts during peak seasons, a few simple precautions can make the difference between a good deal and a costly mistake. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams – Practical Tips from Government Experts Online shopping is fast and convenient, but it also opens the door to scammers. Every year, consumers lose billions of dollars to fraud, and a large chunk of that comes from fake websites, phishing emails, and too-good-to-be-true deals. In January 2026, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs issued a new alert reminding shoppers – especially veterans, seniors, and less tech-savvy users – to stay vigilant. This article walks through the most common online shopping scams, clear red flags, and concrete steps you can take right now to protect yourself. ...

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 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. ...

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. ...

1 in 3 Americans Have Been Scammed While Shopping Online: How to Protect Yourself New research from the Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, reports that about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That figure is not an outlier—the Federal Trade Commission recorded over $8.8 billion in fraud losses in 2024, with online shopping scams as one of the largest categories. If you shop online, the odds are good that you or someone you know has already been targeted. ...

Online shopping scams in 2026: What to watch for and how to protect yourself Buying things online has never been more convenient—or more risky. According to a January 2026 warning from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA News), scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to trick shoppers. The FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report, released earlier this year, showed that online shopping scams accounted for over $350 million in losses nationally, with the average victim losing $1,200. And those numbers are likely underreported. ...

1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams: Here’s How to Protect Yourself Intro Online shopping is convenient, but it also comes with risks. According to a November 2025 survey from the Pew Research Center, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That means millions of shoppers have lost money or had their personal information stolen while trying to buy something online. If you haven’t been hit yet, the odds suggest you might know someone who has. ...

Fake Prom Dress Websites Are Tricking Shoppers — Here’s How to Avoid Them Prom season is just around the corner, and for many families in the Hudson Valley and beyond, that means hunting for the perfect dress online. Unfortunately, scammers are exploiting the rush. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued an alert warning about fraudulent websites that pose as prom dress retailers, only to disappear after taking your money — and sometimes your personal information. ...