Identity Theft

How to spot and avoid social media scams: What’s behind the billions in losses Intro Scammers have found a new home for their operations: your social media feed. According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lost $2.4 billion to scams in 2024, and for the first time, social media was the most common way scammers initiated contact. What used to happen over the phone or through email has now moved to platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp. The scale is staggering, and the trend is accelerating. For everyday users—especially those who may not be as familiar with the warning signs—the risk is real and growing. ...

This New Google Scam Looks Totally Legit—How to Spot It and Stay Safe A phishing campaign impersonating Google has been circulating widely, and it’s unusually convincing. Recent reports (including one from Reader’s Digest on April 30, 2026) describe emails that appear to come from Google, complete with realistic branding, logos, and urgent language claiming that your account will be suspended unless you verify your login credentials. The scam doesn’t stop at the email—the landing page it directs you to mimics Google’s login screen almost perfectly. ...

Social Media Scams Are Costing Americans Billions: How to Spot and Stop Them Scams that once arrived by email or phone call are now showing up in your Facebook feed, Instagram DMs, and TikTok comments. Fraud has moved decisively onto social media platforms, and the financial damage is staggering. ...

How to Spot Social Media Scams: A Practical Guide to Avoid Losing Money Online Fraud is moving to the platforms you use every day. According to recent reports, social media scams now account for billions of dollars in losses each year in the United States. The convenience of connecting with friends, browsing products, and discovering new opportunities has also opened the door for scammers to target ordinary users. ...

Social media scams are surging: How to protect yourself from fraud Americans lost billions to social media scams last year, according to recent reporting from ConsumerAffairs. Fraudsters are increasingly moving from email and phone calls to platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, where they can create fake profiles, hack trusted accounts, and reach millions of people with minimal effort. If you use social media, you’ve probably already seen the signs—a too-good-to-be-true listing for a new iPhone, a sudden message from a “friend” asking for money, or an ad promising quick cash. Learning to recognize these tactics is the best way to keep your money and identity safe. ...

1 in 3 Americans Hit by an Online Shopping Scam: How to Protect Yourself This Season Intro A new report from Pew Research Center puts a number on something many of us have suspected: online shopping scams are widespread. According to the study published in November 2025, about one in three Americans say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That’s a large share of the population, and with holiday shopping season in full swing, the risk only increases. ...

Nearly 1 in 3 Americans Hit by an Online Shopping Scam – Here’s How to Protect Yourself If you shop online, you’re not alone in worrying about scams – and a new study suggests the worry is warranted. According to a Pew Research Center survey published in November 2025, roughly one in three U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That number jumps during peak shopping seasons, and with the holidays approaching, it’s worth understanding what’s happening and how to avoid becoming part of that statistic. ...

1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams: Here’s How to Avoid Being Next If you’ve ever clicked a too-good-to-be-true deal on social media and ended up with an empty package—or nothing at all—you’re far from alone. New research from Pew Research Center, released in November 2025, found that roughly one in three U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. With the holiday shopping season now in full swing, that number might well climb unless we get better at spotting the traps before we fall in. ...

Watch Out for These Online Shopping Scams – and How to Shop Safely Online shopping has become a routine part of life, but scammers are constantly finding new ways to trick shoppers out of their money and personal information. Recent warnings from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) remind us that these threats are real—especially for veterans and others who receive government benefits. With the holiday season approaching and deals appearing year-round, it pays to know what to look for. ...

Online Shopping Scams Are Everywhere: How to Spot and Avoid Them In January 2026, the Department of Veterans Affairs published a straightforward reminder: scammers are actively targeting online shoppers, and the risks don’t disappear after the holidays. The VA News alert, titled “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping,” highlights a reality that applies to everyone, not just veterans. Fraudsters continuously refine their tactics, and even cautious buyers can get caught off guard. ...