Fraud Prevention

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams: What Government Alerts Can Teach Us Online shopping has become routine for most of us, but scammers have become just as routine in trying to steal your money and personal information. Government agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), regularly issue warnings about the latest tactics. Their advice is practical, tested against real threats, and often the same across multiple agencies—which means it’s worth paying attention to. ...

Watch Out for Scams and Stay Safe While Online Shopping: Advice from the VA and FDIC Online shopping has become routine for most of us, but it also attracts fraudsters looking to steal money or personal information. The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation have published multiple warnings about these threats. Whether you’re a veteran, a family member, or just someone who buys things on the internet, understanding the common tactics and how to protect yourself is worth a few minutes of attention. ...

1 in 3 Americans Has Experienced an Online Shopping Scam: How to Stay Safe If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or paid for an item through a payment app only to realize the seller was fake, you’re far from alone. New data from the Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, shows that about a third of American adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That figure is a stark reminder that scam attempts are now a routine part of buying things on the internet. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Tips from Government Agencies Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts scammers looking to steal your money or personal information. Government agencies such as the VA and the FDIC regularly issue alerts to help consumers recognize the warning signs. This article distills their guidance into practical steps you can take right now. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams: Official Tips from Government Agencies Online shopping scams are not new, but they keep evolving. Fake websites, phishing emails, and bogus banks appear regularly, targeting anyone who shops or manages money online. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) have published recent guidance to help consumers recognize these threats and protect themselves. Below is a practical summary of what they advise, drawn directly from official sources. ...

BBB Warns of Mother’s Day Shopping Scams: What to Watch For With Mother’s Day just a few days away, many of us are finishing up gift shopping online. The Better Business Bureau has issued an alert this week warning that scammers are taking advantage of the rush. While the holiday is meant to show appreciation, it’s also become a peak period for fake websites, phishing messages, and gift card tricks. ...

Mother’s Day Shopping Scams Surge with Record Spending – Here’s How to Stay Safe Mother’s Day is this weekend, and Americans are expected to spend more than ever on gifts, dinners, and experiences. According to a recent report from WREX, record spending projections this May 10 have already caught the attention of scammers. If you’re planning to buy something for Mom—whether flowers, jewelry, or a thoughtful gadget—it’s worth taking a few minutes to understand the common tricks being used right now and how to avoid them. ...

Don’t Let Scammers Ruin Mother’s Day: How to Spot Fake Deals and Shop Safely Every year, as Mother’s Day approaches, scammers roll out the same tired playbook—and it still works. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued its seasonal alert warning shoppers about fraudulent websites, phishing emails, and social media ads designed to steal money and personal information. This year is no different. If you’re planning to buy gifts online, it pays to know what to look for before you click “purchase.” ...

How to Spot Mother’s Day Shopping Scams: A BBB Alert Guide Scammers are out in full force ahead of Mother’s Day. With shoppers hunting for gifts, con artists are deploying fake websites, phishing emails, and fraudulent social media ads designed to steal money and personal information. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) issued an alert on May 7, 2026, detailing the most common schemes and how to avoid them. Here’s what you need to know to shop safely this year. ...

Mother’s Day Shopping Scams: How to Spot and Avoid Them This Season If you’re shopping for Mother’s Day online this week, you’re not alone—and neither are the scammers. The Better Business Bureau recently issued an alert warning consumers about con artists who ramp up their efforts during peak gift-buying periods. Mother’s Day is one of the busiest shopping days of the year, and criminals know that many people are looking for last‑minute deals, which makes them more likely to click first and think later. ...