Chicago, IL, August 22, 2026 —

As families gear up for the back-to-school season, Chicago’s “I-Team” is issuing a warning about an increase in online shopping scams. The alert comes as the period for back-to-school purchases, often involving significant household spending, gets underway.

Shoppers are being advised to exercise caution when engaging in online transactions for school supplies, clothing, and other essentials. The “I-Team” highlighted that fraudulent schemes are becoming more prevalent, potentially targeting unsuspecting families during this busy shopping period.

The rise in online scams underscores the need for consumers to be vigilant about their digital security and to verify the legitimacy of online retailers and offers. Specific details regarding the nature of these scams or the entities involved were not immediately available.

While the trend summary does not provide specific examples of scams, dates, or locations beyond Chicago, it emphasizes the general threat posed by online fraud during a period of heightened consumer activity. Families are encouraged to remain aware and informed as they navigate their online shopping experiences.



Story summarized from the original created by Jason Knowles on abc7chicago.com, see more information here.

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