Fraud Prevention

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams (and What to Do If You Get Tricked) Online shopping has become second nature for most of us. But the convenience also attracts scammers looking to steal payment details, personal information, or even your entire purchase. Government agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) regularly issue reminders that these threats are not going away. The good news is that most scams follow predictable patterns, and knowing what to look for can keep your money and data safe. ...

How to Spot a Fake Prom Dress Website Before You Get Scammed Prom season comes with enough stress—finding the right dress, coordinating with friends, staying within budget. The last thing anyone needs is to lose money to a scam site that looks legitimate at first glance. The Better Business Bureau recently issued an alert for the Hudson Valley area warning shoppers about fake prom dress websites that steal both payment information and personal data. While the warning originated in New York, these scams are active nationwide, and they tend to spike as proms approach. ...

Nearly One in Three Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam — Here’s What to Watch For If you shop online — and most of us do — there’s a decent chance you’ve run into a scam without realizing it. According to a recent Pew Research Center study, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s a striking number, and it suggests that even cautious shoppers are getting caught off guard. ...

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. ...

Prom Dress Scams Are Everywhere – Here’s How to Avoid Getting Duped Prom season is a high-stakes mix of excitement and pressure. Between finding the perfect dress, coordinating with friends, and staying within budget, the last thing you need is to lose money to a fake website. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what scammers are counting on. With the Better Business Bureau issuing a regional alert earlier this month, it’s worth taking a few minutes to understand the pattern and protect yourself. ...

One in Three Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam: How to Protect Yourself If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or clicked a link in an email that turned out to be a fake storefront, you’re not alone. According to a Pew Research Center survey published in November 2025, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s 33 percent of U.S. adults—a figure that should give any regular online shopper pause. ...

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. ...

1 in 3 Americans Have Experienced an Online Shopping Scam — Here’s How to Spot One Before You Lose Money The numbers are hard to ignore. In November 2025, the Pew Research Center reported that about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. For a country where nearly everyone buys something online at least a few times a year, that means millions of people have lost money, had their personal data stolen, or both. ...