Online Safety

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Protect Your Wallet Online shopping saves time and often money, but it also opens the door to scammers who set up fake stores, send phishing messages, or sell counterfeit goods. Recent alerts from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA News), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) remind us that these threats are persistent and evolve with seasonal trends. Knowing what to look for and how to respond can make the difference between a good deal and a costly mistake. ...

1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams: How to Protect Yourself A new survey from the Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, found that roughly one in three American adults (32%) say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That figure covers a wide range of incidents—from paying for goods that never arrived to clicking links that led to stolen credit card numbers. With online retail continuing to grow, these scams are not going away. Here’s what you need to know and how to reduce your risk. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Protect Yourself The Growing Problem of Online Shopping Scams Online shopping is convenient, but it also opens the door to scammers who set up fake websites, send phishing emails, and peddle counterfeit goods. Government agencies have been issuing regular warnings. In January 2026, the VA News (.gov) published an article titled “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping,” reminding consumers that fraudsters constantly adapt their tactics. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) also released a guide on scammers and fake banks, and the Fox News report on ID.me safety (May 2026) highlighted how identity verification tools can themselves become targets for scams. ...

Online Shopping Scams: What the VA and FDIC Want You to Know Online shopping has become a routine part of life for most Americans, including many who use VA benefits to purchase goods or services. But as more people shop from home, scammers have gotten better at creating fake websites, phishing emails, and fraudulent ads that look nearly identical to the real thing. In January 2026, VA News published a detailed warning urging shoppers to stay alert. Around the same time, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) released its own alert about scammers posing as legitimate banks. These aren’t isolated warnings—they reflect a broader pattern that affects anyone who buys online. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Stay Safe – Practical Tips Online shopping has become routine for millions of people, but it also attracts scammers looking to steal your money and personal information. In January 2026, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs published a warning urging consumers—especially veterans and their families—to watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping. The alert highlights tactics that criminals use to create convincing fake websites, send phishing emails, and lure shoppers with deals that seem too good to be true. ...

Online Shopping Scams Are on the Rise — Here’s How to Stay Safe Shopping online is convenient, but it also opens the door to scammers. In January 2026, the Department of Veterans Affairs published a reminder for veterans and their families to watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping. Around the same time, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation warned about fraudsters posing as banks. These government alerts underscore a simple reality: online shopping scams are becoming more common and more sophisticated. ...

Stay Safe While Shopping Online: Practical Tips from Government Agencies Online shopping has become a routine part of life for many people. It’s fast, convenient, and often cheaper than going to a store. But that same convenience attracts scammers. Fake websites, phishing emails, and fraudulent ads can cost you money—and sometimes your personal information. ...

How to Use AI Tools Safely on Windows: Privacy & Access Guide for 2026 Everyday Windows users now routinely turn to AI chatbots, image generators, and productivity assistants. With Microsoft embedding Copilot into the operating system and dozens of third-party AI tools vying for your attention, it is easy to overlook how much data these services collect. This guide walks through practical steps to keep your personal information under your control while still benefiting from AI. ...

How to Use AI Tools Safely on Windows: A Privacy & Access Guide for 2026 AI assistants, image generators, and productivity tools are now part of everyday Windows use. Microsoft’s Copilot is integrated into the operating system, and third-party AI apps are available through the Microsoft Store and browsers. A Microsoft study from early 2026 reported that 80 percent of Fortune 500 companies are using active AI agents, indicating how quickly these tools have become standard. ...

When 400 Scam Attempts Hit in One Day: What Online Shoppers Need to Know Last month, cybersecurity monitors in Belarus recorded a single day where online shoppers faced roughly 400 scam attempts, according to a report from Belsat.eu. While this spike happened in Eastern Europe, the tactics behind these attempts are not confined to any one region. Online shopping scams follow the same playbook everywhere. Understanding that playbook is the best way to avoid losing money or personal information. ...