How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: A Practical Guide

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: A Practical Guide Introduction Online shopping scams are not new, but they continue to evolve. Each year, especially around major sales events like Memorial Day, summer clearance sales, and the holiday season, scammers ramp up their efforts. The Federal Trade Commission reported a noticeable increase in online shopping fraud in 2025, and that trend appears to be continuing. For the average shopper, the difference between a legitimate deal and a trap can be a single click. This guide covers the most common scam tactics right now and lays out what you can do to protect your money and personal information. ...

July 17, 2026 · 5 min · BriefArc Desk

AI Coding Tools: Hidden Security Risks You Should Know About Before Your Next Project

AI Coding Tools: Hidden Security Risks You Should Know About Before Your Next Project AI coding assistants like Cursor and others have grown popular among developers and hobbyists for their ability to generate code quickly, fix bugs, and even automate entire workflows. The pitch is straightforward: you describe what you want, the tool writes the code, and you save hours. But a series of recent security disclosures raise a question worth pausing over: can the convenience of AI coding tools make you more vulnerable than you realize? ...

July 16, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

1 in 3 Americans scammed while shopping online: How to protect yourself

Nearly one in three Americans has faced an online shopping scam – here’s how to stay safe If you’ve ever clicked a link for a deal that seemed too good to be true, or sent money through a payment app only to never receive the item, you’re not alone. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, about one in three U.S. adults (32%) say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That figure is a reminder that fraud is not an edge case — it’s a routine risk for anyone who buys goods or services online. ...

July 14, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before Amazon Prime Day

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before Amazon Prime Day Amazon Prime Day is one of the biggest online shopping events of the year. With millions of people hunting for deals, scammers are also busy setting up fake websites, sending phishing emails, and advertising counterfeit goods. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently issued a warning about this spike in fraudulent activity, and it’s worth paying attention to before you click “buy.” ...

July 13, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before You Click 'Buy' This Prime Day

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before You Click ‘Buy’ This Prime Day Amazon Prime Day is one of the biggest online shopping events of the year. For scammers, it’s also one of the busiest. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued its annual warning about a surge in shopping scams timed to coincide with major sales events like Prime Day. The goal: trick shoppers into handing over money or personal information through fake deals, phishing emails, and counterfeit goods. ...

July 13, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

BBB Warns: Watch Out for These Online Shopping Scams Before Prime Day

BBB Warns: Watch Out for These Online Shopping Scams Before Prime Day The Better Business Bureau has issued a warning about a rise in online shopping scams just ahead of Amazon Prime Day. For shoppers planning to hunt for deals, this alert is a timely reminder that not every offer is what it seems. ...

July 13, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

How to Avoid Online Shopping Scams This Prime Day: BBB Tips

How to Avoid Online Shopping Scams This Prime Day: BBB Tips Amazon Prime Day is around the corner, and while shoppers look for deals, scammers are preparing their own offers. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning about a predictable surge in online shopping scams during major sales events. If you plan to shop this Prime Day, it helps to know what to watch for before you click “buy.” ...

July 13, 2026 · 5 min · BriefArc Desk

Don't get scammed this Prime Day: BBB's top warnings for online shoppers

Don’t Get Scammed This Prime Day: BBB’s Top Warnings for Online Shoppers Amazon Prime Day is one of the biggest shopping events of the year, and scammers know it. With millions of shoppers hunting for deals, fraudsters ramp up fake websites, phishing emails, and social media ads designed to steal money and personal information. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a fresh warning ahead of this year’s event, advising consumers to stay alert. ...

July 12, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

Prime Day Scams Are Everywhere – Here’s How to Shop Safely

Prime Day Scams Are Everywhere – Here’s How to Shop Safely Big sales events like Amazon Prime Day are a magnet for bargain hunters. Unfortunately, they’re also a magnet for scammers. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued its annual warning about the uptick in online shopping scams that tend to spike around these high-traffic shopping days. With fake websites, phishing emails, and counterfeit goods circulating, a little caution can save you both money and frustration. ...

July 12, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk

How to avoid online shopping scams this Amazon Prime Day

How to avoid online shopping scams this Amazon Prime Day Amazon Prime Day is one of the biggest online shopping events of the year, and scammers know it. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) issued a warning on June 22, 2026, noting that fraudsters ramp up their efforts during high-volume sales events. If you plan to shop Prime Day deals, it pays to know what to watch for before you click “buy.” ...

July 12, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk