Online Shopping

Spot Fake Prom Dress Sites Before You Lose Money – BBB Warning Each spring, as prom season ramps up, scammers launch dozens of look-alike dress websites designed to part shoppers from their money. The Better Business Bureau has just issued a fresh alert for the Hudson Valley region, but the problem is nationwide. If you or your teen are shopping for formal wear online, knowing how to spot the fakes can save you hundreds of dollars and a lot of disappointment. ...

How to Spot an Online Boutique Scam: What a 17-Time Arrest Case Reveals If you buy clothes, accessories, or home goods from small online boutiques—especially those run through Instagram, Facebook Marketplace, or standalone e-commerce sites—you’ve likely encountered stores that look polished but feel a bit off. A recent case in South Carolina underscores just how common and organized these scams can be. A boutique owner was arrested 17 times this year in connection with an online shopping scam, raising questions about how consumers can tell the difference between a legitimate small business and a fraud operation. ...

Prom Dress Scams Are Real: How to Spot Fake Websites and Shop Safely Prom season brings excitement — and, unfortunately, an uptick in scam websites designed to look like legitimate dress retailers. The Better Business Bureau recently issued an alert warning shoppers in the Hudson Valley about fake prom dress sites, but this problem isn’t limited to one region. Scammers nationwide are setting up storefronts that take your money and deliver nothing — or a knockoff that looks nothing like the photo. ...

Fake Prom Dress Websites Are Tricking Shoppers — Here’s How to Avoid Them Prom season is just around the corner, and for many families in the Hudson Valley and beyond, that means hunting for the perfect dress online. Unfortunately, scammers are exploiting the rush. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued an alert warning about fraudulent websites that pose as prom dress retailers, only to disappear after taking your money — and sometimes your personal information. ...

How to Avoid Fake Prom Dress Websites: A Guide Based on the Latest BBB Warning Intro Prom season is upon us, and for many families that means hunting for the perfect dress online. But the Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently issued an alert for shoppers in the Hudson Valley region—and the warning applies well beyond New York. Scammers are setting up fake websites that look like legitimate prom dress retailers, complete with stolen photos and too-good-to-be-true prices. If you or your teen are shopping for a prom dress online this spring, it’s worth knowing what to watch for before you hand over your payment details. ...

BBB Warns of Mother’s Day Shopping Scams: What to Watch For With Mother’s Day just a few days away, many of us are finishing up gift shopping online. The Better Business Bureau has issued an alert this week warning that scammers are taking advantage of the rush. While the holiday is meant to show appreciation, it’s also become a peak period for fake websites, phishing messages, and gift card tricks. ...

Don’t Let Scammers Ruin Mother’s Day: How to Spot Fake Deals and Shop Safely Every year, as Mother’s Day approaches, scammers roll out the same tired playbook—and it still works. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued its seasonal alert warning shoppers about fraudulent websites, phishing emails, and social media ads designed to steal money and personal information. This year is no different. If you’re planning to buy gifts online, it pays to know what to look for before you click “purchase.” ...

Don’t Get Scammed This Mother’s Day: How to Spot Fake Deals and Phishing Traps With Mother’s Day just around the corner, millions of shoppers are looking for gifts online. Scammers know this, and they are already setting up fake websites, sending phishing emails, and running gift card schemes designed to steal money and personal data. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued its annual alert, warning that holiday shopping periods, especially Mother’s Day, are prime time for fraud. ...

Mother’s Day Shopping Scams: How to Spot and Avoid Them If you’re buying gifts for Mother’s Day this week, you’re not alone—and scammers know it. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) published a scam alert on May 7, 2026, warning that con artists are actively targeting shoppers with fake deals, phishing emails, and gift card fraud. The rush to find the perfect present creates the exact environment fraudsters exploit: urgency, distraction, and a willingness to click first and think later. ...

Mother’s Day Scams: How to Spot Fake Shops and Phony Deals With Mother’s Day just days away, millions of shoppers are hunting for last‑minute gifts—flowers, jewelry, electronics, and personalized items. Scammers know this, and they’re already flooding inboxes and social media feeds with too‑good‑to‑be‑true offers. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a fresh alert warning consumers about a spike in fraudulent online stores, phishing emails, and counterfeit goods targeting holiday shoppers. ...