Identity Theft

Title: How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Stay Safe While Buying Online What’s behind the rise in online shopping scams Online shopping scams have become more common and more convincing. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Veterans Affairs recently issued warnings about new tactics—such as fake websites mimicking official portals like ID.me or the Claim Assist Portal, and phishing messages that use QR codes to steal payment information. Scammers are targeting veterans, older adults, and anyone who regularly buys goods or services online. ...

1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams: How to Shop Safely Introduction A recent study from the Pew Research Center found that roughly one in three Americans say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That number might surprise you, but if you’ve ever clicked a suspicious deal on social media or received a phishing email about a package you didn’t order, you’re far from alone. The problem is widespread, and it tends to spike around major shopping seasons. The good news is that most scams follow recognizable patterns, and you can avoid them with a few straightforward habits. ...

1 in 3 Americans Have Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam: Here’s How to Stay Safe If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, received a counterfeit product, or clicked a link in an email that turned out to be a phishing attempt, you’re far from alone. According to a November 2025 report from the Pew Research Center, about a third of U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. With the holiday shopping season already underway and online transactions at record levels, the risk of falling victim is higher than ever. This article breaks down what the data tells us about the most common scams, how to spot them before you lose money, and what to do if you think you’ve been taken. ...

Your Email Is the Weakest Link: Why Government and Healthcare Accounts Are at Risk If you’ve ever logged into a patient portal to book a doctor’s appointment or filed a tax return online, you’ve entrusted sensitive personal data to organizations that, according to a recent security analysis, are failing to protect it. A report highlighted by Security Affairs found that government agencies and healthcare providers are the weakest links in global email security — meaning your medical records, tax information, and other private data may be more exposed than you realize. ...

How to Avoid Social Media Scams and Digital Party Traps: Essential Safety Tips Scams on social media are not new, but the methods used in 2026 are more convincing than ever. With deepfakes, AI-generated messages, and carefully crafted social engineering, fraudsters are finding new ways to trick even cautious users. One particularly insidious trend is the “digital party trap”—fake invitations or event links that lead to phishing sites or malware. This article, based on the Fraud EDU series published by Yellowhammer News on June 30, 2026, offers concrete, actionable advice to help you spot these scams and protect yourself. ...

What Microsoft’s Year of Email Security Data Reveals About Your Inbox Risk Email remains the most exploited entry point for cyber attacks. Last month, Microsoft published a year’s worth of benchmarking data from Microsoft Defender for Office 365, giving IT administrators and security professionals a rare look at the actual threat volumes, detection rates, and false positive trends their systems face. This article unpacks the key findings and translates them into practical steps you can take today. ...

Avoid Social Media Scams in 2026: Essential Safety Tips for Digital Parties and More Scams on social media are nothing new, but the tactics keep evolving. By 2026, fraudsters are using AI-generated deepfake videos and voice calls to impersonate friends and lure people into fake event invitations. A recent report from Yellowhammer News’s “Fraud EDU” series highlights how these “digital party traps” are becoming more common and harder to spot. This article breaks down what is happening, why it matters to everyday users, and what concrete steps you can take to protect yourself and your accounts. ...

How to Spot Social Media Scams and Avoid Digital Party Traps in 2026 Social media scams are nothing new, but the methods keep evolving. In 2026, one of the more deceptive trends is the so-called “digital party trap”—a fake event invitation designed to steal your personal information or money. If you’ve received an invite to an exclusive online party, a giveaway celebration, or a virtual meet-and-greet that seems too good to be true, it might be exactly that. Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams This Prime Day As Amazon Prime Day approaches, shoppers are on the lookout for bargains. Unfortunately, scammers are also gearing up. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) issued a warning in late June 2026 about a spike in fraudulent activity tied to the event. With fake websites, phishing emails, and counterfeit products cropping up, knowing how to shop safely can save you money and protect your personal data. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams This Amazon Prime Day Amazon Prime Day is just around the corner. For shoppers, that means big discounts and limited-time deals. For scammers, it means a surge in opportunities to trick people out of their money and personal information. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning about this predictable uptick in fraud, and knowing what to look for can keep your shopping experience safe. ...