Identity Theft

One in Three Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam: How to Protect Yourself If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or clicked a link in an email that turned out to be a fake storefront, you’re not alone. According to a Pew Research Center survey published in November 2025, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s 33 percent of U.S. adults—a figure that should give any regular online shopper pause. ...

How to Spot Fake Prom Dress Websites: What the BBB’s Latest Warning Means for Shoppers The Better Business Bureau has issued a fresh alert for shoppers in the Hudson Valley, warning that fraudulent websites selling prom dresses are popping up just as the season gets underway. While the warning was initially aimed at local residents, the pattern is nationwide. Parents, teens, and anyone buying formalwear online should know the warning signs before they hand over their credit card details. ...

Prom Dress Shopping? Watch Out for These Fake Website Scams Prom season is here, and so are the scams. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently warned shoppers in the Hudson Valley about fake prom dress websites that are popping up to steal money and personal information. While the warning was specific to that region, similar fraudulent sites have been showing up across the country. If you or your teen is shopping for a dress online, it’s worth knowing how to spot these traps before you hand over your credit card. ...

Fake Prom Dress Websites Are Everywhere — Here’s How to Avoid Them Prom season is here, and across the country, high school students and their families are searching for the perfect dress online. Unfortunately, scammers know this too. Every spring, a wave of fake e-commerce sites springs up, offering stunning gowns at suspiciously low prices. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued alerts about these fraudulent stores in multiple regions, including a recent warning for shoppers in the Hudson Valley area of New York. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: A Shopper’s Guide Online shopping offers convenience and often better prices, but it also attracts scammers looking to separate you from your money or personal information. Fraudulent websites, phony deals, and phishing emails are common, and they can target anyone. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has published guidance to help consumers, including veterans, watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping. The advice applies broadly. Here’s what you need to know. ...

A third of Americans have faced an online shopping scam — here’s how to avoid being next If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or paid a seller who vanished after taking your money, you’re not alone. A Pew Research Center survey from November 2025 found that about a third of U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. The figure is striking, especially as holiday shopping ramps up and more people turn to social media platforms and payment apps to make purchases. This guide explains what the data shows, why it matters for everyday shoppers, and — most importantly — how to reduce your chances of being the next victim. ...

Online Shopping Scams Are Getting Smarter – Here’s How to Stay Safe If you’ve shopped online in the past year, you’ve probably noticed deals that seem too good to be true. Some of them are. According to recent warnings from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Federal Trade Commission, online shopping scams are becoming more sophisticated and harder to spot. Veterans and military families are especially targeted, but anyone with a credit card can be caught off guard. ...

One in Three Americans Has Fallen for an Online Shopping Scam: Here’s How to Stay Safe A new survey from the Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, sheds light on a problem many of us have suspected: online shopping scams are widespread. Roughly one in three American adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That figure is not just a statistic—it reflects millions of real losses, ranging from a few dollars for a product that never arrived to significant financial damage from stolen payment information. ...

How to Spot Fake Prom Dress Websites: BBB Alert & Safety Tips The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently issued an alert warning shoppers in the Hudson Valley about fake prom dress websites. These sites appear legitimate at first glance but are designed to take your money and deliver nothing—or a cheap knockoff. While the alert focuses on the Hudson Valley, this type of scam is common across the country, especially as prom season picks up. ...

1 in 3 Americans Say They’ve Been Scammed While Shopping Online — Here’s How to Stay Safe New research from the Pew Research Center shows that online shopping scams are far more common than many people realize. According to a study released in November 2025, 33% of U.S. adults — roughly one in three — say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That number alone should make any regular shopper pause, especially with the holiday season approaching when deals and discounts flood your inbox and social media feeds. ...