Identity Theft

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams: Tips to Stay Safe Online shopping offers convenience, but it also draws fraudsters looking to separate you from your money. Every year, especially during major sales events, reports of fake websites, phishing emails, and too‑good‑to‑be‑true deals surge. Government agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs regularly issue alerts to help consumers protect themselves. While these notices often target veterans, the advice applies to anyone who shops online. Below, we break down what’s happening, why it matters, and—most importantly—what you can do to avoid becoming a victim. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Practical Advice With online shopping now a daily habit for millions of people, scammers have become more aggressive and creative. Government agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, have issued repeated warnings about the growing threat. A recent VA News article titled “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping” reminds consumers that fraud doesn’t take a holiday—and that taking a few minutes to verify a deal can save you from losing money or having your identity stolen. ...

Recognizing and Avoiding Online Shopping Scams: Practical Advice from the VA Online shopping has become routine for millions of Americans, but it also attracts fraudsters looking to steal payment details, personal information, or both. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has published guidance on how to shop safely, with advice that applies to any consumer—not just veterans. This article distills the key points from that government source and adds context from related VA publications. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams This Season and Beyond Online shopping has become a routine part of modern life, but it also attracts fraudsters looking to steal money and personal information. According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lose billions of dollars each year to online shopping fraud, and the methods scammers use keep evolving. The Department of Veterans Affairs has published guidance on staying safe, and the same principles apply to anyone shopping online. Knowing what to look for and how to respond can make the difference between a smooth transaction and a costly mistake. ...

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. ...