Phishing

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Tips from VA, FTC, and FBI Online shopping has become a routine part of life for most people, but it also comes with a growing risk of fraud. According to the FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report, released in May 2025, cybercrime losses in the United States reached into the billions last year. A significant portion of those losses involve online shopping scams—phony stores, phishing messages, and deals that seem too good to be true. Veterans and military families are often targeted, partly because scammers know they may have steady benefits or pensions. ...

Watch Out for Online Shopping Scams: What Veterans and Everyone Should Know This Season Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts scammers—especially during peak sales periods like holidays, tax season, or big promotions. The FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report shows that cybercrime losses in the United States reached nearly $12.5 billion, with online purchase scams consistently among the top categories reported. Veterans and military families are frequent targets because scammers know they often have stable incomes and may trust official-looking communications. The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Trade Commission have published multiple alerts urging caution. Here’s a grounded look at how these scams work and what you can do to stay safe. ...

What Microsoft’s Year of Email Security Data Reveals About Your Inbox If you use Microsoft 365, Outlook, or any Microsoft-hosted email, the company’s latest security benchmark offers a rare look at what actually lands in your inbox — and what gets stopped before you ever see it. ...

3 Ways to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before You Lose Money Shopping online is convenient, but it also opens the door to scammers who have grown more sophisticated. In the past year, the FBI, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Department of Veterans Affairs have all issued warnings about the rising tide of online shopping fraud. The FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report, released in May 2025, put the total losses from online shopping scams in the billions. The VA, meanwhile, has been reminding veterans and military families to watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping. ...

Email Security Best Practices: How to Protect Your Inbox from Hackers and Scammers Your email inbox is a gateway to your digital life. If someone gets into your email, they can often reset passwords for your bank, social media, and other accounts, lock you out, or steal personal information. That’s why email security is not optional — it’s one of the most basic ways to protect yourself online. ...

Online shopping scams to watch and simple ways to avoid them If you shop online—and most of us do—there’s a decent chance you’ve already encountered a scam, even if you didn’t realize it. According to a Pew Research Center survey published in November 2025, about one in three Americans say they’ve personally experienced an online shopping scam. That number is large enough to treat it as a normal risk of buying things online, but it’s also avoidable with a few straightforward habits. ...

1 in 3 Americans Has Been Scammed Shopping Online – Here’s How to Avoid It A recent study from Pew Research Center found that about a third of Americans say they’ve experienced an online shopping scam. That number is high enough to make anyone think twice before hitting “buy now.” The good news is that most of these scams follow predictable patterns, and once you know what to look for, you can avoid them without much effort. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams This Year (and Every Year) Online shopping has become a daily habit for millions of people, but the convenience comes with a growing risk. According to the FBI’s most recent Internet Crime Report, reported losses from online shopping fraud reached billions of dollars in 2024 alone, and the numbers keep climbing. The Federal Trade Commission has also noted a sharp rise in complaints involving fake websites, phishing emails, and counterfeit goods. These scams don’t just appear during the holiday season—they happen year-round, targeting shoppers of all ages and backgrounds. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Protect Your Wallet Online shopping has become a routine part of most people’s lives, but it also attracts fraudsters looking to take advantage of unsuspecting buyers. Scams that start with a fake website, a tempting email offer, or a social media ad can lead to lost money, stolen personal information, or both. This article covers the most common scams and what you can do to avoid them, drawing on guidance from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the FBI, and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). ...

Spot Online Shopping Scams Before They Cost You Shopping online is convenient, but it also invites fraud. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that consumers lost over $8.8 billion to fraud in 2022, with online shopping scams among the top categories. The FBI’s 2023 Internet Crime Report confirmed a continuing rise in e-commerce complaints. The Department of Veterans Affairs recently issued a warning urging shoppers to watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping. Whether you’re a seasoned buyer or new to digital purchases, understanding how these scams work is the first step to protecting yourself. ...