Identity Theft

1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams: How to Shop Safely If you’ve ever clicked a link for a too-good-to-be-true deal and ended up with nothing but an empty bank account, you’re far from alone. New data from the Pew Research Center, released in November 2025, shows that roughly one in three U.S. adults have experienced an online shopping scam. That figure covers everything from phony websites that take your payment and vanish to phishing emails pretending to be from a retailer you trust. As holiday shopping ramps up and more people turn to their phones and laptops for purchases, understanding how these scams work—and how to avoid them—has become essential. ...

One in Three Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam: Here’s What to Watch For If you’ve ever clicked “Buy Now” on a deal that seemed too good to be true, only to receive nothing or a knockoff product, you’re far from alone. According to a November 2025 report from the Pew Research Center, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s roughly 33% of the adult population—a number that should give any regular online shopper pause. ...

Got Scammed While Shopping Online? Here’s How to Get Your Money Back If you’ve been defrauded by a fake online store or a phony customer support call, you’re not alone. Reports of shopping-related scams have increased during major sale seasons, and many victims are later approached by refund scammers who pretend to help. The good news: legitimate recovery options exist, and you don’t need to pay anyone to use them. This article walks through the actual steps you can take. ...

5 Things You Should Never Tell Your AI Chatbot (to Keep Your Money Safe) AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude are convenient tools for drafting emails, brainstorming ideas, or summarizing documents. But their usefulness can lead to a false sense of privacy. People often treat chatbot conversations like a private diary, forgetting that anything typed may be stored, reviewed, or even used to train future models. ...

Five Things You Should Never Tell an AI Chatbot About Your Money AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Google Bard, and others have become everyday tools for quick answers, writing help, and even financial advice. Their convenience is hard to beat. But there’s a catch: these tools are not designed to keep your secrets safe. Recent incidents and expert warnings — including a Washington Post column, a Reader’s Digest piece, and a BBC report showing how easily chatbots can be hacked — make clear that sharing certain types of information with a chatbot can put your money and identity at risk. ...

Holiday Shopping Scams Are Surging: How to Protect Your Wallet This Season The holiday shopping season is when scammers work the hardest. According to new data from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Americans reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024 — a sharp jump from the $10 billion reported in 2023. Online shopping scams accounted for a large share of those losses, and the agency expects the trend to continue this year. ...

How to Shop Online Without Getting Scammed This Holiday Season The holiday shopping season brings a flood of deals—and, unfortunately, a flood of scams. As more people buy gifts online, fraudsters sharpen their tactics. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), reported losses to fraud reached $12.5 billion in 2024, a sharp increase from previous years. Imposter scams and online shopping scams were among the most common complaints. Being alert can save you money and frustration. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams (and Stay Safe When Buying Online) Online shopping scams affect millions of consumers each year, and the risks tend to rise during peak shopping periods like the holidays. Fake websites, phishing emails, and fraudulent ads can cost you money and expose your personal data. Government agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, have issued repeated warnings about these threats. While the advice often targets benefit recipients, the same principles apply to anyone shopping online. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Protect Your Money (With Special Tips for Veterans) Introduction Online shopping has become a daily part of life for most of us, but scammers are constantly refining their tactics to take advantage of that convenience. For veterans and their families, the stakes are even higher because fraudsters often target those who receive benefits. This article cuts through the noise and gives you concrete warning signs, verification steps, and reporting procedures to help you shop safely. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Keep Your Money Safe Online shopping has become a routine part of life for most of us. It’s fast, convenient, and often cheaper than going to a physical store. But that convenience also attracts scammers. Each year, fraudsters invent new ways to trick shoppers into handing over money, credit card numbers, and personal information. Government sources like the VA News (.gov) regularly issue alerts about these threats, especially during peak shopping periods. Whether you’re a veteran or not, the advice applies to everyone. This article walks through the most common online shopping scams and the practical steps you can take to avoid them. ...