Online Fraud

Scam Ads Are Everywhere: How to Spot Them and Protect Your Wallet If you’ve scrolled through social media or used a search engine recently, you’ve probably seen them: ads that look almost exactly like a trusted brand’s official offer, promising an unbeatable deal. Maybe it’s a “limited-time” 90% off on a popular electronics brand, or a “free trial” for a subscription service that normally costs hundreds. These are scam ads, and they’re not just annoying — they’re costing consumers real money and eroding trust in legitimate businesses. ...

Scam Ads Are Everywhere: How to Spot Them Before You Get Tricked If you’ve scrolled through social media or searched for a product recently, you’ve likely seen an ad that looks slightly off — a familiar brand name with a strange URL, a giveaway that seems too generous, or a “limited-time” offer that pressures you to click. These are scam ads, and they are becoming more common and more convincing. ...

How to Spot Scam Ads Online and Protect Your Privacy If you spend any time on social media, search engines, or news sites, you’ve seen them: ads promising a free iPhone, a government grant you didn’t apply for, or a “limited-time” deal that seems too good to ignore. These ads aren’t just annoying—they’re a growing vector for fraud. ...

Don’t Get Tricked by Fake Party Invites: Essential Social Media Safety Tips for 2026 If you’ve seen a flashy event invite pop up on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok—especially one that looks like a private party or exclusive launch—you’re not alone. Scammers are now using AI-generated graphics and urgent RSVP messages to lure people into clicking malicious links or handing over personal data. This isn’t a new problem, but the tactics are getting harder to spot, and the stakes are higher in 2026. ...

Spotting Fake Prom Dress Websites: A Shopper’s Guide Prom season is here, and along with the excitement of finding the perfect dress comes a familiar risk: online shopping scams. Every year, scammers set up websites that look like legitimate dress retailers, offering too-good-to-be-true deals on formal wear. The Better Business Bureau recently issued an alert for shoppers in the Hudson Valley, warning that fake prom dress sites are circulating again. If you’re shopping for a prom or formal dress online, here’s what you need to know to avoid losing your money—and what to do if you’ve already been tricked. ...

5 Mother’s Day Scams to Watch Out For (and How to Avoid Them) Mother’s Day is one of the biggest spending holidays in the United States, and this year is no exception. Record levels of consumer spending—on flowers, jewelry, brunch reservations, and gift baskets—also attract scammers looking to cash in. News outlets such as WREX have already reported an uptick in fraudulent schemes tied to the holiday. ...

Social media scams are costing Americans billions — here’s how to avoid them If you use Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or X, you’ve probably seen an ad for a cheap designer jacket, a message from an old friend with a link, or a profile of someone who seems too perfect. Some of these are harmless. Others are setups designed to take your money or your personal information. ...

Social media scams are exploding: How to spot them before you lose money If you use social media, you’ve probably seen a too-good-to-be-true ad or a direct message from someone you don’t know. These aren’t just annoyances—they’re part of a wave of fraud that cost older Americans alone an estimated $2.4 billion in 2024, according to the Federal Trade Commission. And as criminals adopt AI tools, the scams are getting harder to catch. ...

Social Media Scams Are Costing Americans Billions—Here’s How to Spot Them Introduction If you spend any time on social media, you’ve probably seen too‑good‑to‑be‑true deals, urgent messages from “friends,” or investment pitches that promise guaranteed returns. These aren’t just annoyances—they are part of a growing wave of fraud that the Federal Trade Commission says cost older Americans alone $2.4 billion in 2024. And the problem is only getting worse as scammers adopt artificial intelligence tools to make their pitches more convincing. ...

How to Spot Social Media Scams That Cost Americans Billions Each Year Fraud has moved online in a big way, and social media platforms have become a primary hunting ground for scammers. According to the Federal Trade Commission, older Americans alone lost $2.4 billion to scams in 2024. ConsumerAffairs reports that social media is now a top vector for fraud, with fake shopping, romance, and investment schemes leading the list. As artificial intelligence tools become more accessible, these scams are growing harder to detect. ...