Phishing

1 in 3 Americans Has Been Scammed Online Shopping — Here’s How to Avoid It If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or paid for a “deal” that turned out to be fake, you’re far from alone. New data from Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, found that about a third of Americans (34%) say they have experienced an online shopping scam. As holiday shopping ramps up, that number is likely to climb. Understanding the most common tricks—and knowing a few simple precautions—can make the difference between a successful purchase and a costly mistake. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before They Cost You If you shop online—and most of us do—you have almost certainly encountered a scam attempt. Fake websites, phishing emails, and too-good-to-be-true deals are everywhere. Government agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) regularly warn consumers about these threats. Their guidance is especially aimed at veterans and seniors, who are frequent targets, but the advice applies to anyone with a credit card and an internet connection. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams: What Government Alerts Can Teach Us Online shopping has become routine for most of us, but scammers have become just as routine in trying to steal your money and personal information. Government agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), regularly issue warnings about the latest tactics. Their advice is practical, tested against real threats, and often the same across multiple agencies—which means it’s worth paying attention to. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams: Official Tips from Government Agencies Online shopping scams are not new, but they keep evolving. Fake websites, phishing emails, and bogus banks appear regularly, targeting anyone who shops or manages money online. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) have published recent guidance to help consumers recognize these threats and protect themselves. Below is a practical summary of what they advise, drawn directly from official sources. ...

Mother’s Day Shopping Scams Surge with Record Spending – Here’s How to Stay Safe Mother’s Day is this weekend, and Americans are expected to spend more than ever on gifts, dinners, and experiences. According to a recent report from WREX, record spending projections this May 10 have already caught the attention of scammers. If you’re planning to buy something for Mom—whether flowers, jewelry, or a thoughtful gadget—it’s worth taking a few minutes to understand the common tricks being used right now and how to avoid them. ...

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.” ...

How to Spot Mother’s Day Shopping Scams: A BBB Alert Guide Scammers are out in full force ahead of Mother’s Day. With shoppers hunting for gifts, con artists are deploying fake websites, phishing emails, and fraudulent social media ads designed to steal money and personal information. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) issued an alert on May 7, 2026, detailing the most common schemes and how to avoid them. Here’s what you need to know to shop safely this year. ...

Mother’s Day Shopping Scams: How to Spot Fake Deals and Stay Safe Mother’s Day spending has been climbing for years—recent estimates put the total at more than $30 billion nationally. As the holiday approaches, scammers are taking notice. Fake online stores, phishing emails disguised as gift guides, and counterfeit products are showing up earlier and more frequently than usual. If you’re planning to buy a gift online, it helps to know what to look for. ...

Mother’s Day Shopping Scams: How to Spot and Avoid Them This Season If you’re shopping for Mother’s Day online this week, you’re not alone—and neither are the scammers. The Better Business Bureau recently issued an alert warning consumers about con artists who ramp up their efforts during peak gift-buying periods. Mother’s Day is one of the busiest shopping days of the year, and criminals know that many people are looking for last‑minute deals, which makes them more likely to click first and think later. ...

Mother’s Day Shopping Alert: How to Spot and Avoid Scams This Season Mother’s Day is one of the busiest shopping periods of the year, and this season is expected to see record online spending. Where money flows, scammers follow. Local news outlets such as WREX have already reported on the heightened risk of fraud, warning consumers to stay alert. The good news is that most scams follow predictable patterns. Knowing a few red flags and simple precautions can keep your gift from turning into a headache. ...