Fraud Prevention

Fake Prom Dress Sites Are Scamming Shoppers: How to Spot and Avoid Them Introduction Prom season is here, and with it comes a familiar flood of ads for discounted formalwear. But not every bargain is real. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently issued an alert warning shoppers about fake prom dress websites that look legitimate but exist only to steal your money and personal information. While the alert was focused on the Hudson Valley region, the same scam is active nationwide. Here’s what’s happening and how to protect yourself. ...

Nearly 1 in 3 Americans Has Faced an Online Shopping Scam: How to Protect Yourself If you shop online, you’ve probably seen deals that seem too good to be true. Sometimes, they are exactly that—part of a scam. Recent data from Pew Research Center confirms that online shopping fraud is widespread: about one-third of U.S. adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. ...

Spot Fake Prom Dress Sites Before You Lose Money – BBB Warning Each spring, as prom season ramps up, scammers launch dozens of look-alike dress websites designed to part shoppers from their money. The Better Business Bureau has just issued a fresh alert for the Hudson Valley region, but the problem is nationwide. If you or your teen are shopping for formal wear online, knowing how to spot the fakes can save you hundreds of dollars and a lot of disappointment. ...

Online Shopping Scams Affect 1 in 3 Americans: Here’s How to Stay Safe If you’re shopping online this season, you’re not alone in worrying about scams. New survey data from Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, shows that roughly one in three U.S. adults say they’ve personally experienced an online shopping scam. That figure is a reminder that fraud isn’t just a fringe problem — it’s part of the everyday experience for millions of people. ...

Fake Prom Dress Websites Are Flooding Search Results: How to Avoid Being Scammed Prom season is here, and for many families that means hunting for the perfect dress online. Unfortunately, scammers are running their own campaigns right alongside legitimate retailers. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently issued an alert warning shoppers in the Hudson Valley—and across the country—about a surge in fake prom dress websites. These sites look convincing, but they are set up to steal money and personal information. ...

Stop Online Shopping Scams: Warning Signs You Need to Know Scammers are getting smarter, but you can stay ahead. Learn the telltale signs of a fake deal, how to verify sellers, and what to do if you get tricked. This plain-language guide covers the latest tactics—from phishing texts to fake websites—so you can shop with confidence. ...

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. ...

Fake Prom Dress Websites Are Popping Up – How to Avoid Getting Scammed What’s happening The Better Business Bureau (BBB) issued an alert in early May 2026 warning shoppers in the Hudson Valley about fraudulent websites selling prom dresses. These sites appear legitimate at first glance but are designed to steal money and personal information. While the alert originated in New York, the scam pattern is not localized—similar fake storefronts have appeared nationwide during prom season. ...

New Pew Data Shows 1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams – Here’s How to Stay Safe If you’ve bought something online in the past few years, you may have wondered how common shopping scams really are. A Pew Research Center study released in November 2025 now puts a number on it: about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s roughly 33% of U.S. adults – and given how fast these scams change, the figure may already be higher for some groups. ...