Cyber Monday has quickly become one of the biggest shopping days of the year after Black Friday. It's also getting more popular for cyber thieves.
Not only are crooks shopping for your personal information online, they're selling fake merchandise on websites that look legit.
These are some of the websites the ICE Homeland Security Investigations office shut down for selling counterfeit products.
"They look real to me," says Taylour Geiss. "They put all this effort into it."
"That's a Rosetta stone, yeah I would think that one would be real… just because who would copy Rosetta stone?" says Katie Menard.
"Let's just say it's very prolific."
While the websites look legit, HSI Special Agent in Charge Lon Weigand says there are some telltale signs to look for.
"There may be grammatical errors, spelling errors, they may not have contact information, the shipping information or return or refund information may not be there," says Weigand.
The sites may also direct you to third party pay site that could jeopardize your information.
"Don't use a card associated to your bank account. Provide them as little information as possible. Don't provide a password or a pin, there's no need for that."
Knowingly buying counterfeit goods is illegal. Not only does it hurt businesses, Weigand says there is a danger in doing it.
"Because some of these items are not up to manufacturers' specifications, there is a public safety risk for individuals that purchase an electronic component that isn't up to standard -- that may result in injury."
Taylour Geiss's friend recently had a problem with an online order.
"Two months later she still hadn't gotten it, it's like ok I just gave you all my credit card information and I'm not getting what I paid for," says Geiss.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:34 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:34:07 GMT
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around.
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around. Now New York City has teamed up with AT&T to install 25 solar powered charging stations over the summer.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:55:38 GMT
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village pleaded not guilty.
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village afterward claimed that he opened fire because the victim "thought he was tough in front of his bitch," prosecutors said in court papers Tuesday.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:46 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:46:32 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
Riders should anticipate cancellations and delays on the Long Island Rail Road for the Tuesday evening rush. The railroad has canceled 21 trains that normally leave Penn Station between 3:27 and 7:01 p.m.
Riders should anticipate cancellations and delays on the Long Island Rail Road for the Tuesday evening rush. The railroad has canceled 21 trains that normally leave Penn Station between 3:27 and 7:01 p.m.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:32 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:32:12 GMT
NYC
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, officials said last month, the number of zones would double and encompass about 600,000 more residents.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:05 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:05:09 GMT
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:20:04 GMT
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.
