In the age of e-commerce, we can buy almost anything online with just a few clicks. While you’re shopping for hobby supplies or garden materials, the last thing on your mind is federal law enforcement. However, certain combinations of otherwise legal purchases can trigger algorithms designed to detect potential threats. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its agencies, like the FBI, use sophisticated data analysis to identify suspicious patterns. This article highlights ten types of online purchases that get flagged by Homeland Security, not because they are illegal, but because they could be components in illicit activities.
