Scam Prevention

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Keep Your Money Safe Intro Online shopping has become a routine part of life for most people, whether you’re buying groceries, electronics, or clothing. But alongside the convenience comes a steady stream of scams designed to separate you from your money or personal information. Every year, especially during seasonal sales events like Black Friday or back-to-school periods, reports of fraudulent websites, phishing emails, and fake deals surge. ...

Don’t Get Tricked While Shopping Online: Spot Scams and Stay Safe Online shopping is convenient, but scammers are getting smarter. Every year, consumers lose millions to fake deals, phishing emails, and bogus websites that look just like the real thing. The threat is serious enough that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has published several alerts to help shoppers—especially veterans and older adults—stay safe. Whether you’re buying gifts, household goods, or services, a few simple precautions can save you money and stress. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Protect Yourself The Growing Problem of Online Shopping Scams Online shopping is convenient, but it also opens the door to scammers who set up fake websites, send phishing emails, and peddle counterfeit goods. Government agencies have been issuing regular warnings. In January 2026, the VA News (.gov) published an article titled “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping,” reminding consumers that fraudsters constantly adapt their tactics. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) also released a guide on scammers and fake banks, and the Fox News report on ID.me safety (May 2026) highlighted how identity verification tools can themselves become targets for scams. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Keep Your Money Safe Online shopping scams have become more common and more convincing. Fake websites, phishing emails, and fraudulent payment requests appear regularly. A January 2026 article from VA News warns veterans and the general public to stay alert, especially after holiday spikes, but scams happen year-round. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has also highlighted fake bank scams that target shoppers. This guide covers what’s happening, why it matters, and what you can do to stay safe. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Stay Safe – Practical Tips Online shopping has become routine for millions of people, but it also attracts scammers looking to steal your money and personal information. In January 2026, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs published a warning urging consumers—especially veterans and their families—to watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping. The alert highlights tactics that criminals use to create convincing fake websites, send phishing emails, and lure shoppers with deals that seem too good to be true. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Practical Tips Scams involving online shopping have become more sophisticated in recent years, and they now target a wider range of consumers than ever before. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs published a warning in January 2026 urging shoppers to stay alert, and the Federal Trade Commission regularly updates its advice on identifying fraudulent sellers and phishing attempts. Whether you are buying electronics, clothing, or everyday necessities, understanding the common patterns of these scams can help you avoid losing money—or having your personal information stolen. ...

Holiday shopping scams are booming — here’s how to protect your wallet Online shopping has made holiday gift-buying convenient, but it’s also become a feeding ground for scammers. According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024 — a record high. And the holiday season, with its flood of deals and stretched shoppers, is prime time for schemes ranging from fake websites to phishing emails that look like delivery notifications. This article walks through the most common holiday shopping scams and gives concrete steps to avoid them, based on FTC warnings and consumer protection advice. ...

Online Shopping Scams Are Surging: How to Protect Yourself A recent report from Belarus recorded 400 scam attempts in a single day, a striking example of how online shopping fraud continues to grow worldwide. While that figure comes from one country, it reflects a pattern that consumers everywhere are facing. According to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, losses from online shopping fraud exceeded $5 billion in 2025. Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, and peak shopping seasons only increase the risk. Here’s what you need to know to shop safely. ...

How to Spot Fake Prom Dress Websites Before They Empty Your Wallet Prom season is a high-stakes time for parents and teens alike. Between the dress, the tickets, the dinner, and the photos, costs add up fast. That’s why a website offering a designer gown for 70% off can look like a lifesaver. Unfortunately, it may be the opposite. ...

How to Spot Fake Prom Dress Websites: A BBB Warning for Shoppers Prom season can already be expensive enough without falling victim to a scam. This spring, the Better Business Bureau issued an alert for shoppers in the Hudson Valley, New York, warning about fraudulent websites posing as legitimate prom dress retailers. The alert describes sites that use official-looking logos, stolen product photos, and extremely low prices to lure in customers—then either deliver nothing, ship a cheap knockoff, or simply disappear after taking payment. ...