Scam Prevention

1 in 3 Americans Have Been Scammed While Shopping Online – How to Stay Safe If you’ve ever clicked “buy” on a deal that seemed too good to be true, you’re not alone, and you may have been one of the unlucky ones. A new study from the Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, found that roughly one in three American adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That is about 33 percent of the population — a figure that should give any frequent online shopper pause, especially with the holiday buying season in full swing. ...

Online Shopping Scams Are Skyrocketing – Here’s How to Avoid Getting Duped Introduction A few days ago, authorities in Belarus reported that consumers filed roughly 400 complaints about online shopping scams in a single day. That figure—surprising even for a country with a relatively small e‑commerce market—reflects a troubling broader trend. Fraudsters are becoming more organized, more aggressive, and more creative in how they target everyday shoppers. Whether you buy from major marketplaces, social media storefronts, or independent websites, the risk is real and growing. ...

400 Scam Attempts in One Day? Here’s How to Outsmart Online Shopping Fraud If you shop online with any regularity, you’ve probably seen the usual warnings about sketchy sellers and phishing emails. But a recent report from Belarus puts the scale of the threat into sharp focus: on a single day in May 2026, over 400 shopping-related scam attempts were reported. That is not a slow month or a regional curiosity—it is a snapshot of how aggressive and well-organized online fraud has become. ...

Practical Tips to Avoid Online Shopping Scams Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts fraudsters looking to steal payment information, login credentials, or even your identity. According to guidance from federal agencies including the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, common scams involve fake websites, phishing emails, and deals that are too good to be real. The good news is that a few straightforward habits can dramatically reduce your risk. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams (1 in 3 Americans Have Been Hit) A new survey from the Pew Research Center has put a number on something many shoppers have suspected: online shopping scams are distressingly common. According to the study, about a third of American adults say they have personally had an online shopping scam happen to them. That translates into tens of millions of people who have paid for goods that never arrived, clicked on fraudulent links, or handed over payment information to fake sellers. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams – Practical Tips from Government Experts Online shopping is fast and convenient, but it also opens the door to scammers. Every year, consumers lose billions of dollars to fraud, and a large chunk of that comes from fake websites, phishing emails, and too-good-to-be-true deals. In January 2026, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs issued a new alert reminding shoppers – especially veterans, seniors, and less tech-savvy users – to stay vigilant. This article walks through the most common online shopping scams, clear red flags, and concrete steps you can take right now to protect yourself. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Advice from VA and Federal Agencies Online shopping offers convenience, but it also attracts scammers looking to steal your money or personal information. The Department of Veterans Affairs has published multiple alerts warning veterans and their families about common shopping scams and how to stay safe. This article draws on those official sources and similar guidance from the FDIC to give you practical, actionable steps. ...

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. ...

Fake Prom Dress Websites: How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams This Season Prom season is here, and with it comes the annual rush to find the perfect dress. But scammers are counting on that urgency. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently alerted shoppers in the Hudson Valley—and the warning applies nationwide—about fraudulent websites posing as prom dress retailers. These sites are designed to look legitimate, but they exist only to take your money and personal information. ...

How to Spot Fake Prom Dress Websites: BBB Warning and Shopping Tips Prom season is a busy time for shoppers, especially in the Hudson Valley where the Better Business Bureau recently issued an alert about fake websites that target teens and parents looking for prom dresses. These scam sites look legitimate at first glance, but they are designed to take your money and deliver nothing in return. Here’s what happened, why it matters, and how you can protect yourself. ...