Online Scams

Don’t Fall for AI Hype: How to Spot Empty Promises and Protect Your Privacy From smart toasters to “AI-powered” chatbots, there’s no shortage of vendors slapping the artificial intelligence label on just about everything. The term has become a catchall marketing tool, and much of what you hear is exaggerated at best — and dangerous at worst. The nonprofit Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has launched a dedicated campaign to help consumers cut through the noise. Here’s what’s happening, why it matters for your privacy and wallet, and what you can do about it. ...

How to Spot Scam Ads: Protect Your Money and Identity Scam ads have become a pervasive problem across social media, search engines, and even reputable websites. They impersonate well-known brands—banks, retailers, airlines, tech companies—to trick consumers into handing over money, personal data, or login credentials. A recent article in Marketing Week described the phenomenon bluntly: “It erodes trust.” And the damage is not just reputational for brands; for consumers, the consequences can be financial ruin and identity theft. ...

Scam ads are everywhere — here’s how to spot them and stay safe If you’ve scrolled through social media or a news site recently, you’ve likely seen an ad that looked slightly off — a too-good-to-be-true deal from a familiar brand, a celebrity endorsement that seems out of character, or a landing page that doesn’t quite match the company’s usual design. These are not just annoying; they are often scam ads designed to steal your money or personal information. ...

Scam Ads Are Everywhere: How to Spot and Avoid Them If you’ve spent any time on social media or using a search engine lately, you’ve probably seen them: posts advertising a “one-time” deal on a popular brand’s product, promising huge discounts that seem too good to be true. Often, they are. Scam ads have become a pervasive problem online, costing consumers money and eroding trust in legitimate brands. A recent report in Marketing Week highlights how these fraudulent advertisements create a growing crisis for companies whose names and images are stolen to trick people. ...

Scam Alerts to Watch Right Now and How to Avoid Them If you’ve scrolled through social media or a news site lately, you’ve likely seen an ad that seems a little off. Maybe it promises a “free” iPhone if you answer three questions. Or it looks exactly like a well-known retailer’s ad but leads to a page asking for your credit card number. These are scam ads, and they are proliferating faster than ever. ...

How to Spot Scam Ads and Avoid Getting Tricked Online Scam ads have become nearly impossible to ignore. They appear in your social media feed, at the top of search results, and even on otherwise reputable websites. They mimic familiar brands, use official logos, and often promise deals that seem too good to pass up. But clicking them can lead to stolen credit card numbers, compromised accounts, or malware on your device. ...

How to Spot Scam Ads and Protect Yourself: A Growing Problem for Brands and Shoppers If you’ve seen an ad on social media promising a designer handbag for $29, or a video of a celebrity endorsing a cryptocurrency you’ve never heard of, there’s a good chance it’s a scam. These ads are becoming harder to tell apart from legitimate ones, and they’re not just a nuisance for consumers — they’re a serious problem for the brands whose names are being misused. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Scam Ads Online Scam ads are becoming harder to ignore. Whether it’s an unbelievable discount on a popular gadget, a “limited-time” offer from a brand you thought you trusted, or a celebrity endorsement that looks slightly off, these advertisements are appearing on social media, search engines, and even reputable news sites. The problem is not new, but it is growing—and consumers are paying the price. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams This Prime Day Online sales events like Amazon Prime Day have become a magnet for bargain hunters. They are also a prime time for scammers. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently issued a warning about the rise in shopping scams timed to coincide with Prime Day and similar promotions. If you plan to take advantage of the deals, it helps to know what to watch for before you click “buy.” ...

Online Shoppers Are Ignoring Scam Warnings—Here’s How to Spot the Real Threats A new report from cybersecurity firm KnowBe4 suggests that online shoppers are increasingly dismissing the warning signs that a site or offer might be fraudulent. With holiday shopping and seasonal sales still in full swing, that habit could cost you more than just a bad deal. ...