Safe Online Shopping

Don’t Get Hooked: How to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before You Click Every holiday season, government agencies like the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs publish warnings about shopping scams. But the threat doesn’t disappear after December. Fake websites, phishing emails, and too-good-to-be-true deals appear year-round, often targeting people who may not follow tech news closely. Recent alerts from VA News (.gov) and a Fox News article about ID.me highlight how scammers are getting more sophisticated. Knowing what to look for can save you money, stress, and potential identity theft. ...

Online Shopping Scams Are Everywhere: How to Protect Yourself What Happened On May 12, 2026, authorities in Belarus recorded 400 online shopping scam attempts in a single day, according to a report by belsat.eu. That number likely represents only a fraction of the total—many scams go unreported because victims are embarrassed or unsure where to file a complaint. ...

New Pew Data: One in Three Americans Has Been Scammed While Shopping Online. Here’s What to Know. The numbers are striking. According to a November 2025 survey from the Pew Research Center, roughly one in three U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That’s about 32% of the population — a figure that should give any regular online shopper reason to pause. ...

BBB Warns: Fake Prom Dress Websites Are Scamming Shoppers – Here’s How to Avoid Them The Better Business Bureau has issued a fresh alert about fraudulent websites that target shoppers looking for prom dresses. According to a report by 101.5 WPDH, the BBB specifically warned consumers in the Hudson Valley, but the scams are widespread and tend to peak during prom season (April through May). These sites look legitimate at first glance, but they are designed to take your payment and never deliver the dress. ...

One in Three Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam — Here’s How to Avoid It Intro With the holiday shopping season in full swing and online spending at record levels, a new survey from the Pew Research Center delivers a sobering statistic: about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. The data, collected in July 2025, underscores how widespread these schemes have become and why it’s worth taking a few minutes to review your own shopping habits before clicking “buy.” ...

Holiday shopping scams are on the rise: How to protect your money and identity The holiday shopping season is a prime opportunity for scammers. With more people buying gifts online, scammers ramp up their efforts with fake websites, phishing texts, and too-good-to-be-true deals. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), reported fraud losses hit $12.5 billion in 2024 — a record high. And the holiday months typically see a spike in reports. ...

Don’t let scammers ruin your holiday shopping: What to watch for this season The holiday shopping season is a busy time for everyone—including fraudsters. With more transactions happening online, and many shoppers pressed for time, scammers have plenty of chances to exploit the rush. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently reported that Americans lost a record $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, and online shopping scams are a major driver of those losses. Whether you’re buying gifts, hunting for deals, or just restocking household items, it’s worth taking a few minutes to learn about the latest tactics and how to avoid them. ...

Holiday Shopping Scams Are Surging: How to Protect Your Wallet This Season The holiday shopping season is when scammers work the hardest. According to new data from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Americans reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024 — a sharp jump from the $10 billion reported in 2023. Online shopping scams accounted for a large share of those losses, and the agency expects the trend to continue this year. ...

Holiday Shopping Scams Are on the Rise: How to Protect Yourself The holiday shopping rush is a prime time for scammers. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024 — a steep increase over previous years. Fake online stores, phishing emails disguised as shipping notifications, and too-good-to-be-true deals on social media cost people real money. The good news is that most of these scams follow predictable patterns. Knowing what to look for can save you both cash and personal information. ...

How to Avoid an Online Shopping Scam This Holiday Season – Advice from the FTC The holiday shopping season is a busy time for both buyers and scammers. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Americans reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024 alone – a sharp increase from $10 billion the year before. Online shopping scams were among the top categories, and the tactics scammers use are becoming harder to spot. This guide is based on FTC consumer advice and recent fraud data, and it will help you recognize warning signs, protect your money, and know what to do if you’ve been targeted. ...