Online shopping Coverage

Is online shopping bad for the planet?

The convenience of online shopping is hard to beat. But it uses a lot of energy and resources and can lead to more waste.

Is online shopping bad for the planet?

The convenience of online shopping is hard to beat. But it uses a lot of energy and resources and can lead to more waste.

Dionne Searcey, New York Times

Gen Z gets social on Instagram or TikTok, but keeps Facebook for shopping

Over the past decade, Facebook has declined in popularity with Gen Z as a social site, but many use Facebook Marketplace as "the internet's garage sale."

Melissa Rohman, New York Times

Fraud, scam and identity theft intertwines Fayetteville woman and Florida woman

A Fayetteville woman reached out to WRAL News because she claims she fell victim to a scam. Kay Munson said she sent a scammer $23,000 for an SUV that never came.

Raleigh artist's design stolen and sold as knockoff on Temu, retail app says it will make changes

A Raleigh artist's design was stolen and sold as a knockoff on the popular shopping app Temu.

Keely Arthur, WRAL consumer reporter

If you've made a TEMU purchase, you need to watch this

Monday night at 6 p.m. on WRAL News -- WRAL's 5 On Your Side reveals how TEMU is getting away with selling stolen designs and skipping customs inspections!

How safe is online shopping site Temu?

Temu is the hottest new online retailer where consumers can get popular looks for less -- but the Better Business Bureau and a new class action lawsuit raise questions about how safe your information is.

Take back control of your data this shopping season

As you're shopping online for the holidays, understand that your money might not be the only thing online retailers are taking. WRAL 5 On Your Side's Keely Arthur shares how merchants are getting a hold of your personal data and selling it.

Keely Arthur, WRAL consumer reporter

CR's Permission Slip app helps you control your data

As you're shopping online for the holidays, understand that your money might not be the only things online retailers are taking. WRAL 5 On Your Side's Keely Arthur shares how merchants are getting a hold of your personal data and selling it.

Protecting yourself during online holiday shopping season

Cyber attacks can rise by 70% in November and December. 5 on Your Side's Keely Arthur spoke with cyber security experts on what you can do to protect yourself online, and why younger adults tend to be victims more often.

Younger age groups report falling for online ID theft, fraud scams

The holidays are primetime for scammers and two of the most recent attacks are impersonating banks.

Keely Arthur, WRAL consumer reporter

FTC to regulate online shopping reviews

The Federal Trade Commission is proposing a new rule that would ban businesses from paying for reviews, writing fake reviews, suppressing honest reviews and other practices used to mislead online shoppers.

Be alert for porch pirates as deliveries tick up for Prime Day

One viewer told WRAL News they were completely avoiding Prime Day after previously having packages stolen.

Making ends meet: More Americans using buy now, pay later

A new study finds more Americans are using the option to buy now and pay later when shopping online.

How to buy and sell safely on Facebook Marketplace

An off-duty police officer from New York was shot and killed during an attempted robbery when he showed up to buy a car he saw on Facebook Marketplace. While an extreme example, it's still a threat people who use an online platform may face when buying and selling online.

Keely Arthur, WRAL consumer reporter

After WRAL report of mom swindled out of Christmas gift cash, an outpouring of support and a Quest

In the 24 hours after the story aired on WRAL-TV, through phone, email and direct message, people reached out to help.

Keely Arthur, WRAL consumer reporter

'My heart sank': Raleigh mom gets swindled out of $280 buying gift for son online

With inflation driving up the price of gifts many shoppers are turning to resale sites like Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp or Craigslist, but buyer beware. A Raleigh mom was swindled out of $280 while trying to buy a gaming gift for her son.

Keely Arthur, WRAL consumer reporter

5 On Your Side uncovers how tracking pixels are collecting your personal data

Think about the Christmas shopping you've been doing online, have ads for those same items been following you around the internet?

Keely Arthur, WRAL consumer reporter

Staying safe online shopping during the holidays

According to Checkpoint Research, an online security firm, about one in every seven emails this month is a scam, usually attempting to steal information or download malware. And that's expected to continue through December.

Morrisville police chief warns about sales arranged online

The teen tried selling an iPhone to the three men through the Facebook Marketplace feature.

Teen robbed at gunpoint while selling iPhone, three men face charges

The teen tried selling an iPhone to the three men through the Facebook Marketplace feature.

Aaron Thomas, WRAL reporter

Raleigh store a hub for Amazon Prime Day returns

Thousands of Amazon packages will be appearing on doorsteps in the next couple of days as part of the surge of shopping that comes with Amazon Prime Day. But millions of items will also be returned.

WRAL Investigates puts holiday shipping to the test

With just 10 days until Christmas, many are hoping all those online orders will arrive on time. This year, there are new pressures on the supply chain. So, WRAL Investigates ordered gifts to find out how long it really takes to complete holiday shipping this season.

Joe Fisher, WRAL reporter

Patience is the name of the game for holiday shipping this year

With just 10 days until Christmas, many are hoping all those online orders will arrive on time. This year, there are new pressures on the supply chain. So, WRAL Investigates ordered gifts to find out how long it really takes to complete holiday shipping this season.

Protecting yourself from cybercrimes shopping online

Online sales are up, but so are cybercrimes.