Online safety Coverage

Fayetteville woman claims scammer stole $23,000 for SUV that never arrived

The scammer claimed to be selling a Toyota Highlander Hybrid for $23,000 on a website. While the vehicle dealer license document was fake, the name associated with it was not.

Chris Lovingood, WRAL anchor/reporter

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.

Man faces more than 1,000 counts of child porn possession, Chatham County Sheriff's Office says

Christopher Steven Foster faces more than 1,000 counts of child pornography possession after investigators with the Chatham County Sheriff's Office identified him in connection with a local victim.

Pennsylvania man faces more than 1,000 counts of child porn possession after Chatham County investigation

Christopher Steven Foster faces more than 1,000 counts of child pornography possession after investigators with the Chatham County Sheriff's Office identified him in connection with a local victim.

WRAL Staff

'Grinch tequila heist': Some of the tequila bottles stolen from NC-based company found in Los Angeles area

Los Angeles police have recovered some of the 19,000 tequila bottles stolen in what the North Carolina-based spirits company is calling the "grinch tequila heist."

Mark Bergin, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

'Grinch tequila heist': Criminals accused of stealing 19,000 bottles before NC tequila launch

Cyber thieves allegedly stole 19,000 bottles of tequila from North Carolina company Daytoon Distributors, who are determined to launch a tequila line despite the setback.

WRAL Staff

At Meta, Millions of Underage Users Were an ‘Open Secret,’ States Say

Meta has received more than 1.1 million reports of users younger than 13 on its Instagram platform since early 2019, yet it “disabled only a fraction” of those accounts, according to a newly unsealed legal complaint against the company brought by the attorneys general of 33 states.

Natasha Singer, New York Times

Meta collected children's data from Instagram accounts, unsealed court document alleges

(CNN) -- Since at least 2019, Meta has knowingly refused to shut down the majority of accounts belonging to children under the age of 13 while collecting their personal information without their parents' consent, a newly unsealed court document from an ongoing federal lawsuit against the social media giant alleges.

By Eva Rothenberg, CNN

Five tips for dating in the digital age

(CNN) -- Humans are hardwired to love, according to biological anthropologist Dr. Helen Fisher. She is a senior research fellow at the Kinsey Institute who has spent much of her career studying love and attachment.

By Andrea Kane, CNN

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.

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

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

FBI-recommended resources to help keep your children safer online

Set boundaries and do not ban the internet. These are just a few suggestions from the FBI to help keep your children safer online.

Stephanie Llorente, WRAL contributor

Want to protect your privacy online? Consider using a fake email service

Many people use fake names when signing up for a new service online as a way to protect privacy. Turns out, that doesn't do a lot to keep companies from tracking you. But using an alternative or fake email address is an easy and more effective way to minimize tracking.

Monica Laliberte, WRAL exeuctive producer/5 On Your Side reporter

How to remove personal information from internet searches

Have you ever Googled your name? You'll likely be astonished at just how much of your personal information pops up.

5 On Your Side explains how to delete your internet footprint

Have you ever Googled your name? You'll likely be astonished at just how much of your personal information pops up.

Monica Laliberte, WRAL executive producer/5 On Your Side reporter

How to find, close long forgotten online accounts

WRAL 5 On Your Side zeros in on all those online accounts that could put your digital privacy and security at risk.

Woman scammed after pursuing employment through popular job site

Like so many people looking for work right now, a Fuquay-Varina woman posted her resume online. Potential employers reached out. But one unusual interview has her warning others.

Monica Laliberte, WRAL executive producer/5 On Your Side reporter

Tips to keep your children safe online

Whether it's homework or virtual school, many children are online a lot!

Kathy Hanrahan, Lifestyle Editor

Authorities urge parents to keep track of whom children are talking to online

The number of reports of youths being contacted online by predators nearly doubled last year, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

FBI: More time online means youths more at risk from predators

The number of reports of youths being contacted online by predators nearly doubled last year, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau chief

Cyber security concerns rise for online learning after intruder hack

WRAL's Leslie Moreno spoke with an expert about how parents can keep their children safe after a recent cybersecurity attack involving online learning classes.