Fraud Prevention

Online shopping scams in 2026: What to watch for and how to protect yourself Buying things online has never been more convenient—or more risky. According to a January 2026 warning from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA News), scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to trick shoppers. The FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report, released earlier this year, showed that online shopping scams accounted for over $350 million in losses nationally, with the average victim losing $1,200. And those numbers are likely underreported. ...

A third of Americans have faced an online shopping scam — here’s how to avoid being next If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or paid a seller who vanished after taking your money, you’re not alone. A Pew Research Center survey from November 2025 found that about a third of U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. The figure is striking, especially as holiday shopping ramps up and more people turn to social media platforms and payment apps to make purchases. This guide explains what the data shows, why it matters for everyday shoppers, and — most importantly — how to reduce your chances of being the next victim. ...

Online Shopping Scams Are Getting Smarter – Here’s How to Stay Safe If you’ve shopped online in the past year, you’ve probably noticed deals that seem too good to be true. Some of them are. According to recent warnings from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Federal Trade Commission, online shopping scams are becoming more sophisticated and harder to spot. Veterans and military families are especially targeted, but anyone with a credit card can be caught off guard. ...

One in Three Americans Has Fallen for an Online Shopping Scam: Here’s How to Stay Safe A new survey from the Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, sheds light on a problem many of us have suspected: online shopping scams are widespread. Roughly one in three American adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That figure is not just a statistic—it reflects millions of real losses, ranging from a few dollars for a product that never arrived to significant financial damage from stolen payment information. ...

How to Avoid Fake Prom Dress Websites This Season Prom season is around the corner, and with it comes a familiar wave of online shopping scams. Every year, scammers set up fake websites that appear to sell prom dresses at steep discounts, only to take shoppers’ money and deliver nothing. Recent alerts from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) serve as a timely reminder that these scams are active right now. ...

Fake Prom Dress Websites Are Scamming Shoppers: How to Spot and Avoid Them Prom season brings a familiar rush: finding the perfect dress, often online to save time and money. But along with legitimate deals come scammers setting up fake storefronts that look real—until your order never arrives and your payment is gone. The Better Business Bureau recently issued an alert for shoppers in the Hudson Valley, but the warning applies to anyone searching for formal wear online right now. ...

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. ...