Digital-Safety

Recognizing and Avoiding Online Shopping Scams: Practical Advice from the VA Online shopping has become routine for millions of Americans, but it also attracts fraudsters looking to steal payment details, personal information, or both. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has published guidance on how to shop safely, with advice that applies to any consumer—not just veterans. This article distills the key points from that government source and adds context from related VA publications. ...

How to Get Your Money Back After an Online Shopping Scam: Step-by-Step Guide You ordered something online—maybe a deal that seemed too good to pass up. The payment went through, but the item never arrived. When you tried to contact the seller, the number was disconnected. You’ve just been caught in an online shopping refund scam. ...

Social Media Scams Are Costing Americans Billions—Here’s How to Spot Them Introduction If you spend any time on social media, you’ve probably seen too‑good‑to‑be‑true deals, urgent messages from “friends,” or investment pitches that promise guaranteed returns. These aren’t just annoyances—they are part of a growing wave of fraud that the Federal Trade Commission says cost older Americans alone $2.4 billion in 2024. And the problem is only getting worse as scammers adopt artificial intelligence tools to make their pitches more convincing. ...

How to Spot Social Media Scams That Cost Americans Billions Each Year Fraud has moved online in a big way, and social media platforms have become a primary hunting ground for scammers. According to the Federal Trade Commission, older Americans alone lost $2.4 billion to scams in 2024. ConsumerAffairs reports that social media is now a top vector for fraud, with fake shopping, romance, and investment schemes leading the list. As artificial intelligence tools become more accessible, these scams are growing harder to detect. ...

Online Shopping Scams Affect 1 in 3 Americans — Here’s How to Avoid Them Buying things online is convenient, but it comes with risks that are easy to overlook. A November 2025 survey from the Pew Research Center found that about 1 in 3 Americans say they experienced an online shopping scam. The number is a reminder that fraudulent sellers, phishing emails, and fake deals are not rare events. With major shopping occasions like Mother’s Day and Black Friday approaching, the risk typically increases as scammers try to take advantage of people looking for gifts or bargains. ...

The Best To-Do List Apps of 2026 (and Which Ones Keep Your Data Safe) Choosing a to-do list app is a personal decision. You want something that syncs across devices, handles recurring tasks, and doesn’t get in your way. But there’s another layer that deserves attention: what the app does with your data. Task entries often include personal schedules, project details, health reminders, or confidential work notes. If that information isn’t handled well, it can become a privacy risk. ...

Best To-Do List Apps for 2026: Privacy and Security Compared A to-do list app holds your daily tasks, project deadlines, recurring reminders, and sometimes even personal notes or grocery lists. It might also sync across your phone, tablet, and computer. That means whoever has access to your to-do data can learn a lot about your routines, work, health appointments, and family commitments. With data breaches and aggressive tracking becoming routine, choosing an app that respects your privacy is worth a second look. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Still Thriving: What the Latest Consumer Alert Means for You If you’ve ever been asked to buy a gift card to pay a bill, cover a debt, or secure a prize, you’ve likely encountered one of the most persistent frauds in modern consumer life. Gift card scams continue to drain bank accounts across the country, and authorities are still urging the public to stay alert. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Everywhere – Here’s How to Outsmart Them Introduction If you’ve received a phone call, text, or email demanding payment with a gift card, you’re not alone. Recently, Attorney General Brian Schwalb of Washington, D.C., issued an alert warning District residents about the rapid rise in gift card scams. These scams are among the most profitable for fraudsters because gift cards are nearly impossible to trace once the PIN is shared. The good news is that recognizing the pattern can keep your money safe. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Everywhere: What the DC Attorney General’s Warning Means for You In mid-December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued a consumer alert warning residents about a surge in gift card scams. The alert is a timely reminder that this type of fraud remains widespread and can hit anyone who gets an unexpected call, text, or email demanding payment. ...