Scam Awareness

How to Spot Social Media Scams: A Practical Guide to Avoid Losing Money Online Fraud is moving to the platforms you use every day. According to recent reports, social media scams now account for billions of dollars in losses each year in the United States. The convenience of connecting with friends, browsing products, and discovering new opportunities has also opened the door for scammers to target ordinary users. ...

How to Spot the Latest Google Scam That Looks Legitimate A new phishing campaign impersonating Google has been making the rounds, and it’s unusually convincing. Victims receive emails or pop-ups that appear to come directly from Google, complete with official logos and messages about account suspension. If you click the link, you’re taken to a login page that looks identical to the real thing—but every credential you type goes straight to scammers. ...

Don’t Get Tricked: Essential Tips to Avoid Online Shopping Scams Online shopping is convenient, but it also gives scammers a steady stream of opportunities. According to recent reports from the Federal Trade Commission, consumers lost billions of dollars to online shopping fraud in recent years. The problem is persistent enough that government agencies—including the VA—have issued repeated warnings. The good news: most scams follow predictable patterns. Once you know what to look for, you can shop with far less risk. ...

How to avoid online shopping scams: Practical tips to shop safely Online shopping has become part of daily life for most people, but it also attracts scammers looking to steal money and personal information. Government sources like the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regularly issue reminders about staying safe while shopping online. The advice applies to anyone, not just veterans. This article covers the most common types of online shopping scams, why they continue to work, and what you can do to protect yourself. ...

Online Shopping Scams Affect 1 in 3 Americans — Here’s How to Avoid Them Buying things online is convenient, but it comes with risks that are easy to overlook. A November 2025 survey from the Pew Research Center found that about 1 in 3 Americans say they experienced an online shopping scam. The number is a reminder that fraudulent sellers, phishing emails, and fake deals are not rare events. With major shopping occasions like Mother’s Day and Black Friday approaching, the risk typically increases as scammers try to take advantage of people looking for gifts or bargains. ...

Online Shopping Scams Are Everywhere. Here’s How to Stay Safe. The convenience of buying almost anything online comes with a persistent risk: scams. Government agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Trade Commission, regularly issue warnings about fraudsters targeting shoppers. Whether you’re a seasoned online buyer or just starting out, knowing the warning signs can save you money and frustration. This guide pulls together official advice on how to recognize common scams, protect your personal information, and respond if something goes wrong. ...

Social Media Scams Are Surging: How to Spot and Stop Fraud Before You Lose Money If you spend any time on social media, you’ve probably seen an ad for a deal that looks too good to be true, a message from a friend asking you to “verify your account,” or a post promising huge returns on a cryptocurrency investment. These aren’t just annoyances—they’re part of a wave of fraud that is now costing Americans billions of dollars each year. ...

Gift Card Scams Are on the Rise: What You Need to Know to Protect Your Money Earlier this month, Attorney General Brian Schwalb issued an alert warning District of Columbia residents about a surge in gift card scams. The advisory, published by the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, outlines how scammers trick people into buying gift cards and handing over the codes—often draining the funds within minutes. While the alert is aimed at D.C. residents, the tactics described are used nationwide, and the advice applies wherever you live. ...

Gift Card Scams Are Still Thriving: What the Latest Consumer Alert Means for You If you’ve ever been asked to buy a gift card to pay a bill, cover a debt, or secure a prize, you’ve likely encountered one of the most persistent frauds in modern consumer life. Gift card scams continue to drain bank accounts across the country, and authorities are still urging the public to stay alert. ...

Gift Card Scams: How to Spot and Avoid Them — Advice from Consumer Alert Experts Gift cards make convenient presents, but they also make perfect cover for fraud. Scammers have long favored them because once the numbers on the back are shared, the money is nearly impossible to recover. Recent alerts from the District of Columbia’s Attorney General and other state consumer offices underscore that this threat is not going away. Whether you live in Washington, D.C., or anywhere else in the country, knowing how these scams work could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. ...