How to Spot Fake Prom Dress Websites – and Avoid the Scam

How to Spot Fake Prom Dress Websites – and Avoid the Scam Prom season is here, and with it comes the annual wave of bargain hunting for the perfect dress. But the Better Business Bureau (BBB) in the Hudson Valley recently issued a warning that should give any shopper pause: scammers are setting up fake prom dress websites that look convincing enough to trick even careful buyers. ...

May 13, 2026 · 5 min · BriefArc Desk

Online Shopping Scams Are Everywhere—Here’s How to Outsmart Them

Online Shopping Scams Surge: 400 Attempts in One Day—What You Need to Know A recent report from Belarus offers a stark reminder that online shopping fraud is not just a seasonal nuisance but a persistent, fast-moving threat. On a single day, consumers in the country reported roughly 400 scam attempts, according to Belsat.eu. While that number is specific to one region, it reflects tactics used by scammers everywhere. The question for everyday shoppers is not whether they’ll encounter a fraud attempt, but how well they’ll recognize it before losing money. ...

May 12, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

How to Avoid Online Shopping Scams: What the Data Shows and What You Can Do

How to Avoid Online Shopping Scams: What the Data Shows and What You Can Do If you shop online, you are not alone in worrying about getting scammed. A recent survey from the Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, found that roughly one in three Americans say they have experienced an online shopping scam firsthand. That figure is worth pausing over, especially as the holiday shopping season ramps up and scam artists become more active. ...

May 12, 2026 · 5 min · BriefArc Desk

1 in 3 Americans Have Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam – How to Avoid Being Next

Avoiding Online Shopping Scams: What the New Pew Data Means for You If you shop online, the numbers are sobering. According to the Pew Research Center, roughly one in three U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That statistic comes from a survey published in late 2025, and it aligns with a broader trend: as online shopping grows, so do the tactics used to defraud buyers. With the holiday season in full swing, it’s worth understanding the scale of the problem and taking a few practical steps to protect yourself. ...

May 12, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

How to Spot Fake Prom Dress Websites: BBB Warns of Scams This Season

How to Spot Fake Prom Dress Websites: BBB Warns of Scams This Season Prom season is a big deal for many families, and finding the perfect dress often means hours of browsing online. Scammers know this. The Better Business Bureau recently warned shoppers in the Hudson Valley about fake prom dress websites that take money and never deliver. While the alert was local, the tactics are used nationwide, and the advice applies to anyone shopping for formalwear online this spring. ...

May 12, 2026 · 5 min · BriefArc Desk

Fake Prom Dress Websites: How to Spot a Scam and Protect Your Money

Fake Prom Dress Websites: How to Spot a Scam and Protect Your Money Prom season is a busy time for online shopping, and unfortunately, it’s also a prime opportunity for scammers. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently issued an alert warning shoppers in the Hudson Valley about fake prom dress websites that are designed to steal money and personal information. While the alert focused on that region, the threat is nationwide. Any parent or teen searching for that perfect dress at a bargain price could stumble into a trap. Here’s what you need to know to shop safely. ...

May 12, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

1 in 3 Americans Have Been Scammed While Shopping Online: How to Avoid the Latest Tricks

1 in 3 Americans Have Been Scammed While Shopping Online: How to Avoid the Latest Tricks If you’ve been the victim of an online shopping scam, you’re far from alone. New data from Pew Research Center, released in November 2025, finds that about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s roughly 33% of U.S. adults — a figure that should give any regular shopper pause. ...

May 12, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

How to Spot an Online Shopping Scam: One in Three Americans Have Been Hit

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. ...

May 12, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams: Practical Safety Tips

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. ...

May 12, 2026 · 5 min · BriefArc Desk

1 in 3 Americans have fallen for an online shopping scam – here’s how to avoid being next

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. ...

May 12, 2026 · 5 min · BriefArc Desk