Fraud Prevention

Beware of Fake Prom Dress Websites: How to Spot an Online Scam Before You Buy Prom season is here, and along with the search for the perfect dress comes a familiar risk: online scammers setting up fake storefronts. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently issued an alert for shoppers in the Hudson Valley, warning that fraudulent websites posing as dress retailers are circulating. While the alert targeted a specific region, the tactics they describe are used nationwide. If you or your teen are shopping online for prom attire, it’s worth taking a few minutes to understand how these scams work and how to avoid them. ...

1 in 3 Americans Has Been Scammed While Shopping Online – Are You Protected? A fresh study from Pew Research Center, released in November 2025, found that about one in three U.S. adults (33%) say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That is not a niche problem — it is a widespread hazard that touches every demographic. And with holiday shopping, deep discounts, and social media ads flooding inboxes, the risk only grows. ...

Prom Dress Shopping? Watch Out for These Fake Websites – BBB Alert Prom season is here, and with it comes a familiar rush: finding the right dress at the right price. Unfortunately, scammers are ready to take advantage of that urgency. The Better Business Bureau recently issued an alert for shoppers in the Hudson Valley region, warning about fake prom dress websites that look legitimate but are designed to steal your money and payment details. While the alert originated there, this problem is national, and similar scams pop up every year as teens and parents search for deals online. ...

How to Spot Fake Prom Dress Websites: BBB Alert & Safety Tips The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently issued an alert warning shoppers in the Hudson Valley about fake prom dress websites. These sites appear legitimate at first glance but are designed to take your money and deliver nothing—or a cheap knockoff. While the alert focuses on the Hudson Valley, this type of scam is common across the country, especially as prom season picks up. ...

1 in 3 Americans Say They’ve Been Scammed While Shopping Online — Here’s How to Stay Safe New research from the Pew Research Center shows that online shopping scams are far more common than many people realize. According to a study released in November 2025, 33% of U.S. adults — roughly one in three — say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That number alone should make any regular shopper pause, especially with the holiday season approaching when deals and discounts flood your inbox and social media feeds. ...

One in Three Americans Has Fallen for an Online Shopping Scam — Here’s How to Stay Safe If you’ve ever clicked on a too-good-to-be-true deal and ended up with an empty mailbox and a drained bank account, you’re far from alone. According to a new Pew Research Center survey released in November 2025, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s a sizable number — and with holiday shopping already underway, it’s worth understanding what these scams look like and how to avoid becoming part of that statistic. ...

BBB Warns of Fake Prom Dress Websites: How to Avoid Getting Scammed Prom season is here, and along with the rush for the perfect dress comes a wave of fraudulent websites designed to take your money and disappear. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently issued an alert for shoppers in the Hudson Valley, but this kind of scam happens everywhere. If you or your teen are shopping for formal wear online, knowing the warning signs can save you frustration and financial loss. ...

BBB Alert: Fake Prom Dress Websites Are on the Rise – Here’s How to Avoid Them Prom season is here, and both teens and parents are looking for the perfect dress at a good price. That urgency and pressure to find a bargain makes this an ideal time for scammers to set up fake online stores. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently issued an alert for shoppers in the Hudson Valley, New York, warning about websites that advertise prom dresses at deep discounts but never deliver the goods. While the alert targeted a specific region, the same scam tactics are used nationwide. ...

How to Avoid Mother’s Day Shopping Scams This Year Mother’s Day is one of the biggest spending occasions of the year, and 2026 is expected to be no exception. According to recent reports, total spending could top $35 billion. That kind of money attracts scammers as much as it attracts shoppers. If you’re buying gifts online this week, a few minutes of caution could save you from losing both your money and your peace of mind. ...

Prom Dress Scams Are Real: How to Spot Fake Websites and Shop Safely Prom season brings excitement — and, unfortunately, an uptick in scam websites designed to look like legitimate dress retailers. The Better Business Bureau recently issued an alert warning shoppers in the Hudson Valley about fake prom dress sites, but this problem isn’t limited to one region. Scammers nationwide are setting up storefronts that take your money and deliver nothing — or a knockoff that looks nothing like the photo. ...