Scam alerts to watch right now and how to avoid them If you’ve been on Facebook recently, you may have seen an advertisement for a $20 Aldi meat box. With grocery prices climbing, the offer seems like a stroke of luck. But it’s not real. It’s a scam designed to collect your credit card details, and it’s circulating widely right now. ...
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. ...
Social Media Scams Cost Americans Billions: Here’s How to Protect Yourself Fraud has increasingly moved from email inboxes to social feeds. According to the Federal Trade Commission, older Americans alone lost $2.4 billion to scams in 2024, much of it originating on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. These platforms have become the top vector for fraud because scammers can create fake profiles and ads quickly, often bypassing automated checks. While platforms have added reporting tools, users still need to take their own precautions. Below is a breakdown of the most common schemes and practical steps you can take to avoid losing money or personal data. ...
Social Media Scams Are Costing Americans Billions: What You Need to Know Intro If you use Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, you’ve probably seen a post for a can’t-miss deal on designer goods, a too-perfect investment opportunity, or a friendly message from a stranger who seems unusually interested in your life. These are often the opening moves of a social media scam. Fraud has shifted aggressively onto these platforms, and the dollar figures are staggering. ...
Your Guide to Avoiding Scams: Lessons from National Consumer Protection Week 2026 Every year in early March, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) runs National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) to remind people how to spot fraud and safeguard their money and identity. This year was no different. But the advice the FTC publishes during that week is not meant to be forgotten once the campaign wraps up. Scams evolve, but the patterns that make them work stay the same. If you missed NCPW 2026 — or just want a refresher you can come back to all year — this guide covers the scams that were hitting hardest in 2026 and the steps you can take right now to protect yourself. ...