Identity Theft

One in Three Shoppers Has Been Scammed Online: Here’s How to Avoid Being Next If you’ve ever bought something online and never received it, or clicked a promising deal only to find your credit card charged for something you didn’t order, you’re not alone. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, roughly one in three Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That figure is a stark reminder that fraudulent sellers and bogus offers are not rare edge cases — they’re a regular part of the modern shopping landscape. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams: Practical Advice for Safer Buying Every time you click “buy now,” there’s a small chance you’re handing your money to a criminal instead of a legitimate seller. Online shopping scams are nothing new, but they keep evolving. Government agencies like the VA and FDIC regularly issue warnings because the schemes are persistent and often convincing. The advice they give isn’t just for veterans or military families—it applies to anyone who shops online. ...

Online shopping scams hit a third of Americans – here’s what to watch for A recent survey from the Pew Research Center found that about a third of U.S. adults (33%) say they have experienced an online shopping scam. The data, released in November 2025, underscores how widespread these schemes have become. Whether you’re a seasoned online buyer or someone who only shops occasionally, the risk is real—and it’s worth knowing what to look for. ...

Fake Prom Dress Sites Are Scamming Shoppers: How to Spot and Avoid Them Introduction Prom season is here, and with it comes a familiar flood of ads for discounted formalwear. But not every bargain is real. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently issued an alert warning shoppers about fake prom dress websites that look legitimate but exist only to steal your money and personal information. While the alert was focused on the Hudson Valley region, the same scam is active nationwide. Here’s what’s happening and how to protect yourself. ...

Nearly 1 in 3 Americans Has Faced an Online Shopping Scam: How to Protect Yourself If you shop online, you’ve probably seen deals that seem too good to be true. Sometimes, they are exactly that—part of a scam. Recent data from Pew Research Center confirms that online shopping fraud is widespread: about one-third of U.S. adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. ...

Spot Fake Prom Dress Sites Before You Lose Money – BBB Warning Each spring, as prom season ramps up, scammers launch dozens of look-alike dress websites designed to part shoppers from their money. The Better Business Bureau has just issued a fresh alert for the Hudson Valley region, but the problem is nationwide. If you or your teen are shopping for formal wear online, knowing how to spot the fakes can save you hundreds of dollars and a lot of disappointment. ...

Online Shopping Scams Affect 1 in 3 Americans: Here’s How to Stay Safe If you’re shopping online this season, you’re not alone in worrying about scams. New survey data from Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, shows that roughly one in three U.S. adults say they’ve personally experienced an online shopping scam. That figure is a reminder that fraud isn’t just a fringe problem — it’s part of the everyday experience for millions of people. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams – Practical Tips from Government Experts Online shopping is fast and convenient, but it also opens the door to scammers. Every year, consumers lose billions of dollars to fraud, and a large chunk of that comes from fake websites, phishing emails, and too-good-to-be-true deals. In January 2026, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs issued a new alert reminding shoppers – especially veterans, seniors, and less tech-savvy users – to stay vigilant. This article walks through the most common online shopping scams, clear red flags, and concrete steps you can take right now to protect yourself. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams This Season Online shopping is convenient, but every holiday season brings a surge in scams. According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lost $8.8 billion to fraud in 2022, and many of those losses came from shopping-related schemes. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation have recently issued alerts about fake websites, phishing emails, and too‑good‑to‑be‑true deals that target shoppers — especially veterans and seniors. This article draws on guidance from VA News (.gov) to help you watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping. ...

One in Three Americans Has Been Scammed While Shopping Online – What to Know If you’ve ever clicked on a too-good-to-be-true deal and ended up losing money or having your card stolen, you’re not alone. According to new research from the Pew Research Center, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. The data, released in late 2025, shows that 34% of U.S. adults have personally experienced this type of fraud. ...