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Shopping stats, online safety tips offered

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Consumers in wealthier states shop online more than others, new research shows.

Shop talk. The growth of online shopping across the nation is uneven, new research shows.

Online purchases are rising in states such as California and Texas, but shopping is stagnant in places like Idaho and South Dakota, according to a recent Washington Post report on the data.

Generally, consumers in affluent states shop more online. However, shipping costs also affect consumer purchases.

For instance, Hawaii and Alaska shoppers spend significantly less online, possibly due to pricey shipping costs.

The research comes from Adobe, a software company that powers many shopping sites.

Moving forward. If you fall victim to a cybercrime during tax season, do you know how to rebound? The CyberSafe at USPS team says you should report any tax-related scam or fraud immediately to the IRS.

If you suspect your identity has stolen, you should also:

  • Call the IRS’s identity protection specialized unit at 800-908-4490.
  • File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
  • File a report through your local police department.
  • Place a “fraud alert” on your credit report by contacting one of the three major credit report bureaus.

Fraud.org has additional information.

If you notice suspicious activity while using postal equipment, report it immediately to the CyberSecurity Operations Center by emailing CyberSafe@usps.gov.

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