FTC

Worried about privacy on X? Here’s what to do after the new FTC warning In early July 2026, a coalition of consumer advocacy groups filed a formal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, warning that X (formerly Twitter) poses a “serious risk to Americans’ privacy.” The groups argue that changes made under Elon Musk’s ownership have weakened user protections and increased the likelihood of data misuse. If you use X, you may want to take a few practical steps now to reduce your exposure. ...

X Privacy Warning: How to Protect Your Account After FTC Complaint A coalition of privacy advocates has filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warning that changes made to X (formerly Twitter) under Elon Musk’s leadership pose a “serious risk to Americans’ privacy.” While the company has not yet responded publicly, the specific concerns are concrete enough that everyday users can take steps now to limit their exposure. ...

Is Your X Account at Risk? Privacy Advocates Warn FTC of ‘Serious’ Threat Privacy advocates have formally alerted the Federal Trade Commission that Elon Musk’s X poses a “serious risk to Americans’ privacy,” according to a report from Ars Technica. The complaint argues that recent changes to the platform’s data practices – including expanded data sharing, reduced transparency, and the use of user posts to train AI models – violate past FTC orders and put users at greater risk of surveillance, identity theft, and unwanted exposure. ...

X’s New Privacy Risks: What Changed and How to Protect Your Account A coalition of privacy advocacy groups has filed a formal warning with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) about changes at X (formerly Twitter) that they say pose a “serious risk to Americans’ privacy.” The warning, reported by Ars Technica, follows a series of policy and feature updates under the platform’s current ownership. While the FTC has not yet announced an investigation, the filing puts the agency on notice—and gives millions of X users reason to review their account settings right now. ...

Don’t Get Tricked: How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Shop Safely Online shopping has become a daily habit for many of us. Convenience, a wider selection, and often better prices make it hard to resist. But scammers know this too. Every year, thousands of people lose money to fake websites, phony deals, and payment fraud. The 2024 FBI Internet Crime Report (released in 2025) noted that losses from online shopping scams continued to climb, and the VA regularly warns veterans and their families to stay vigilant. Whether you’re buying a gift, a household item, or a service, learning the red flags can save you time and money. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Tips from VA, FTC, and FBI Online shopping has become a routine part of life for most people, but it also comes with a growing risk of fraud. According to the FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report, released in May 2025, cybercrime losses in the United States reached into the billions last year. A significant portion of those losses involve online shopping scams—phony stores, phishing messages, and deals that seem too good to be true. Veterans and military families are often targeted, partly because scammers know they may have steady benefits or pensions. ...

Watch Out for Online Shopping Scams: What Veterans and Everyone Should Know This Season Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts scammers—especially during peak sales periods like holidays, tax season, or big promotions. The FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report shows that cybercrime losses in the United States reached nearly $12.5 billion, with online purchase scams consistently among the top categories reported. Veterans and military families are frequent targets because scammers know they often have stable incomes and may trust official-looking communications. The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Trade Commission have published multiple alerts urging caution. Here’s a grounded look at how these scams work and what you can do to stay safe. ...

3 Ways to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before You Lose Money Shopping online is convenient, but it also opens the door to scammers who have grown more sophisticated. In the past year, the FBI, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Department of Veterans Affairs have all issued warnings about the rising tide of online shopping fraud. The FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report, released in May 2025, put the total losses from online shopping scams in the billions. The VA, meanwhile, has been reminding veterans and military families to watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams: Tips from the VA and FTC Online shopping has become second nature for most of us, but it also comes with risks. Scammers are constantly refining their tactics, and government agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the FBI regularly update their warnings. Whether you’re a veteran, a military family member, or just someone trying to buy a gift online, knowing how to recognize a scam can save you money and frustration. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before You Lose Money Intro Every year, millions of people buy something online without a second thought. Most transactions go smoothly. But scammers have gotten better at making fake stores, phishing messages, and fraudulent payment requests look real. The FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report noted that Americans lost over $10 billion to cybercrime, and online shopping scams accounted for a large share of those losses. The good news: most of these scams follow predictable patterns, and you can learn to spot them before you hand over your money. ...