Identity Theft Protection

Online Shopping Scams Are Surging—Here’s How to Spot and Avoid Them Last week, Belarusian authorities reported that consumers logged roughly 400 online shopping scam attempts in a single day. The figure, published by Belsat.eu, is striking—not because the number itself is massive on a national scale, but because it suggests a concentrated burst of fraud targeting ordinary people who were simply trying to buy something online. ...

Mother’s Day Shopping Scams Are Surging — Here’s How to Spot Them Before You Buy Mother’s Day spending is expected to hit record levels this year, according to a recent report from WREX (May 2026). While that’s good news for retailers, it’s also a predictable signal for scammers looking to cash in. Fraudsters know that shoppers are more likely to click on a deal or open an e-card in the days leading up to the holiday. The question isn’t whether you’ll encounter a scam attempt — it’s whether you’ll recognize it before handing over your money or personal information. ...

Nearly 1 in 3 Americans Hit by an Online Shopping Scam – How to Protect Yourself If you’ve ever clicked “buy” and later realized the website was fake, or paid for something that never arrived, you’re far from alone. According to a November 2025 study from the Pew Research Center, about one in three Americans say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That figure is a stark reminder that fraud is not a rare edge case—it’s a regular risk for anyone who shops online. ...

How to Avoid an Online Shopping Scam This Holiday Season – Advice from the FTC The holiday shopping season is a busy time for both buyers and scammers. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Americans reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024 alone – a sharp increase from $10 billion the year before. Online shopping scams were among the top categories, and the tactics scammers use are becoming harder to spot. This guide is based on FTC consumer advice and recent fraud data, and it will help you recognize warning signs, protect your money, and know what to do if you’ve been targeted. ...

Social Media Scams Are Exploding: How to Spot the Latest Online Fraud Before You Lose Money If you spend time on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, you’ve almost certainly seen one of these: a too-good-to-be-true ad for a designer bag, a message from a “friend” who needs emergency cash, or a promise of easy money from a crypto investment. These aren’t just annoyances—they’re part of a massive wave of fraud that’s costing Americans billions each year. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Surging: Here’s How to Spot and Stop Them Gift cards make convenient presents, but they’ve also become a favorite tool for scammers. In December 2025, District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert warning District residents about a rise in gift card fraud. The warning isn’t just local—gift card scams are one of the most common types of payment fraud reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) year after year. If you’ve ever received an urgent call, email, or text asking you to buy gift cards for payment, you need to know the red flags. ...

Fraud Victims See Credit Scores Rise: How Extended Alerts Can Help You Recover Getting hit by financial fraud feels like a violation. You worry about money you lost, accounts hijacked, and the long cleanup. But new research from the Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank offers a surprising finding: many fraud victims who use extended fraud alerts end up with better credit scores than before the incident. ...

New Parking Violation Scam: How to Spot Fake Tickets and Avoid Being Duped Parking tickets are a common frustration, but a newer scam adds a layer of risk. State officials in North Carolina recently warned drivers about a spike in fake parking violation notices—both physical tickets left on windshields and digital messages sent via text or email. While the alert originated there, the tactics are identical to ones cropping up nationwide. Understanding how these scams work and knowing a few verification steps can save you money and protect your personal information. ...

The New Scams to Watch For, According to the FTC’s Latest Update Staying ahead of scammers is a constant challenge. Just as we learn to recognize one scheme, another evolves to take its place. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provided a timely update on this shifting landscape. During a webinar for National Consumer Protection Week in March 2026, the agency highlighted the latest fraud trends exploiting current events and persistent human vulnerabilities. ...

How to Spot, Stop, and Recover from Scams Scams aren’t what they used to be. The days of clumsy, misspelled emails from a “deposed prince” are fading, replaced by sophisticated schemes powered by artificial intelligence and psychological manipulation. Today, a scammer can clone a loved one’s voice in a phone call or create a convincing video of a CEO you trust. The stakes are higher, and the need for practical, everyday defense has never been more urgent. This guide cuts through the noise to give you concrete steps for recognizing modern fraud, preventing it, and knowing exactly what to do if you’re targeted. ...