Fraud Prevention

One in Three Shoppers Has Been Scammed Online: Here’s How to Avoid Being Next If you’ve ever bought something online and never received it, or clicked a promising deal only to find your credit card charged for something you didn’t order, you’re not alone. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, roughly one in three Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That figure is a stark reminder that fraudulent sellers and bogus offers are not rare edge cases — they’re a regular part of the modern shopping landscape. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams: Practical Safety Tips The convenience of online shopping is hard to beat, but it also attracts scammers looking to separate you from your money and personal information. Government agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation regularly issue warnings about common schemes, especially during sales events like Black Friday or the holiday season. While the advice is aimed at everyone, it’s especially relevant for those who may not be as familiar with digital safety. Here’s a rundown of what’s happening, why it matters, and what you can do to protect yourself. ...

1 in 3 Americans have fallen for an online shopping scam – here’s how to avoid being next If you’ve ever clicked a too-good-to-be-true deal on social media or received an email that looked like it came from a major retailer, you’re not alone. New research from the Pew Research Center shows that roughly one in three U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That number is a reminder that scammers are getting better at what they do—and that most of us are not as careful as we think. ...

1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams—Protect Yourself Now If you shop online, you’ve probably seen too-good-to-be-true deals or received an email about a package you never ordered. According to a November 2025 survey by Pew Research Center, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s not a niche problem—it’s a widespread threat that affects people across age groups and income levels. This article explains what the data shows, why it matters, and what you can do to avoid becoming part of that statistic. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams: Practical Advice for Safer Buying Every time you click “buy now,” there’s a small chance you’re handing your money to a criminal instead of a legitimate seller. Online shopping scams are nothing new, but they keep evolving. Government agencies like the VA and FDIC regularly issue warnings because the schemes are persistent and often convincing. The advice they give isn’t just for veterans or military families—it applies to anyone who shops online. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts scammers who set up fake stores, send phishing emails, or advertise deals that are too good to be true. Government agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regularly warn consumers to stay vigilant. This guide outlines what is happening, why it matters, and practical steps you can take to protect yourself. ...

How to Spot Fake Prom Dress Websites Before You Get Scammed Prom season is in full swing, and for many families that means searching for the perfect dress online. But the Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning that scammers are taking advantage of the rush, setting up fake websites that look legitimate but are designed to steal your money and personal information. An alert recently published by 101.5 WPDH detailed how these fraudulent sites are targeting shoppers in the Hudson Valley, though the problem is national. Here’s what you need to know to avoid getting taken. ...

1 in 3 Americans Has Been Scammed While Shopping Online — Here’s What to Know If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or clicked a link in an email that looked like an order confirmation but turned out to be a phishing trap, you’re not alone. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, about a third of U.S. adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That’s roughly one out of every three online shoppers — and the numbers are worth paying attention to, especially as holiday shopping season ramps up. ...

Online shopping scams hit a third of Americans – here’s what to watch for A recent survey from the Pew Research Center found that about a third of U.S. adults (33%) say they have experienced an online shopping scam. The data, released in November 2025, underscores how widespread these schemes have become. Whether you’re a seasoned online buyer or someone who only shops occasionally, the risk is real—and it’s worth knowing what to look for. ...

Prom Dress Scams Are Real – What to Watch For This Season If you or your teen are shopping for a prom dress online, you’ve probably seen ads for deals that seem too good to pass up. But the Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently warned shoppers in the Hudson Valley—and across the country—about fake websites set up specifically to steal money and personal information from prom-goers. ...