1 in 3 Americans Has Been Scammed While Shopping Online: Here’s How to Avoid It

1 in 3 Americans Has Been Scammed While Shopping Online: Here’s How to Avoid It If you’ve ever clicked a deal that seemed too good to be true, you’re not alone. According to a Pew Research Center survey, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s roughly 32% of U.S. adults — a figure that underscores just how common these schemes have become. ...

July 11, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

1 in 3 Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam — Here’s How to Avoid It

1 in 3 Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam — Here’s How to Avoid It If you’ve ever clicked “Buy Now” on a deal that looked too good to be true, and later found the item never arrived or was a cheap counterfeit, you’re far from alone. According to a November 2025 report from the Pew Research Center, roughly one in three U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. The number is a stark reminder that what used to be an occasional risk has become a routine hazard of buying online. ...

July 10, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Tips from the VA

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Tips from the VA Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts scammers looking to steal your money or personal information. The Department of Veterans Affairs has published several alerts and guides on this topic, warning that fake websites, phishing emails, and even QR code scams are on the rise. Whether you are a veteran using VA benefits or anyone shopping online, knowing how to recognize these threats can save you time, money, and stress. ...

July 7, 2026 · 5 min · BriefArc Desk

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Lessons from a $5 Million Fraud Bust

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Lessons from a $5 Million Fraud Bust Hong Kong police announced last week the arrest of 78 people linked to a series of online shopping scams that defrauded victims of about HK$5 million (roughly US$640,000). The operation, reported by the South China Morning Post on June 29, 2026, involved fake e-commerce sites, phishing messages, and promises of goods that never arrived. While the suspects have been taken into custody, the methods they used are still circulating globally. For anyone who shops online—especially on unfamiliar websites or cross-border platforms—this case is a reminder to stay alert. ...

June 30, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

How Real-Time Validation Can Stop Business Email Compromise (BEC)

How Real-Time Validation Can Stop Business Email Compromise (BEC) Business email compromise (BEC)—where an attacker impersonates a trusted vendor, executive, or colleague to trick someone into sending money or sensitive data—is on the rise. According to a 2025 report by Trustpair, 71% of U.S. companies reported an increase in BEC attacks. Larger banks, including J.P. Morgan, have begun recommending real-time validation as a practical countermeasure. This article explains what real-time validation is, why it matters, and how you can start using it today. ...

June 23, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

How Real-Time Validation Can Stop Business Email Compromise Before It Costs You

How Real-Time Validation Can Stop Business Email Compromise Before It Costs You Business email compromise (BEC) has evolved from simple phishing into a sophisticated threat that now uses deepfake audio, video, and AI-generated text to impersonate executives and vendors. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), BEC has caused over $50 billion in global losses since 2013, and a 2026 report from Trustpair found that 71% of U.S. companies report an increase in attacks. Traditional email security filters are no longer enough. One emerging defense that large institutions like J.P. Morgan are already using is real-time validation of payment requests and sender identities. ...

June 22, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

How Real-Time Validation Can Stop Business Email Compromise: A Practical Guide

How Real-Time Validation Can Stop Business Email Compromise: A Practical Guide Business email compromise (BEC) attacks have become one of the costliest fraud threats for companies of all sizes. According to a January 2026 report from Trustpair, 71% of U.S. businesses reported an increase in BEC incidents, with attackers using AI-generated emails, deepfake voice calls, and impersonation tactics to trick employees into sending money to fraudulent accounts. ...

June 22, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

Stop Business Email Compromise: How Real-Time Validation Protects Your Payments

Stop Business Email Compromise: How Real-Time Validation Protects Your Payments Last year, business email compromise (BEC) scams cost U.S. organizations $2.9 billion, according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. These attacks are not sophisticated hacks. They rely on social engineering: a fake invoice, a spoofed vendor email, and a sense of urgency. Many small businesses do not have the security teams of large corporations, so they are frequent targets. ...

June 22, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

Shop Smarter: How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams This Prime Day (and Beyond)

Shop Smarter: How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams This Prime Day (and Beyond) Prime Day is a magnet for bargain hunters, but it also attracts scammers looking to cash in on the rush. According to the FTC, online shopping scams rose by 30% in 2025, and 2026 is shaping up to be even riskier as fraudsters adopt AI-generated phishing emails, fake seller profiles, and product images that look disturbingly real. Whether you’re shopping for a laptop or a coffee maker, a few basic precautions can save you money and protect your personal information. ...

June 22, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

One in Three Americans Has Been Scammed While Shopping Online—Here’s How to Stay Safe

One in Three Americans Has Been Scammed While Shopping Online—Here’s How to Stay Safe If you shop online, you’ve probably seen the warnings: deals that seem too good to be true, unfamiliar websites with misspelled logos, ads on social media for products that never arrive. But it’s easy to assume it won’t happen to you. The data suggests otherwise. ...

June 18, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk