How to Watch Out for Scams and Stay Safe While Online Shopping

Online shopping has become a routine part of life for most people. But as e‑commerce grows, so do the number of scams designed to separate you from your money or steal your personal information. Recent alerts from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA News) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) highlight the need for shoppers to stay alert year‑round, not just during the holidays.

This article covers the most common types of online shopping scams, explains why they’re a real threat, and gives you practical steps—based on government guidance—to protect yourself.

What Happened

In January 2026, VA News published an article titled “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping,” reminding shoppers that scammers are constantly updating their tactics. The article, part of a series on benefit protection, notes that fraudsters often impersonate legitimate retailers, government agencies, or customer support teams. Around the same time, Fox News reported on the safety of ID.me, a widely used identity verification service, underscoring that even trusted tools can be exploited by scammers.

The FDIC has also warned about “Scammers and Fake Banks,” where criminals set up fake banking websites that look real, then trick victims into entering login details or making payments. These alerts are not isolated. They reflect a broader pattern: online shopping scams are more sophisticated and harder to spot than even a few years ago.

Why It Matters

Online shopping scams aren’t just annoyances—they can lead to significant financial loss and identity theft. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that consumers lost over $8.8 billion to fraud in 2022, and the numbers have been rising. Scammers use fear, urgency, and fake trust signals (like phony “trust seals” or fake reviews) to get you to act quickly. Once you’ve handed over your credit card number or clicked a malicious link, it can be difficult to recover your money or undo the damage to your credit.

For vulnerable groups—such as veterans, the elderly, or people who aren’t very familiar with technology—these scams can be especially devastating. The VA’s repeated warnings about protecting benefits during the holiday season show that scammers specifically target those who may be less familiar with online security practices.

What Readers Can Do

The good news is that with a few habits and a little caution, you can drastically lower your risk. Here are concrete steps based on advice from the VA, FDIC, and other authoritative sources.

1. Verify the Seller Before You Buy

• If you’re on a site you don’t know well, look for a physical address and a phone number. Call the number if you can—scam numbers often go to voicemail or are disconnected.
• Check for real reviews on independent sites (like Trustpilot or the Better Business Bureau), but be aware that fake reviews are common. Look for reviews that mention specific details about products or shipping.
• Use the “whois” lookup to see when a domain was registered. A site that’s only a few months old may be suspicious.

2. Look for Red Flags in the URL and Emails

• Scammers often use URLs that are close to legitimate brands but have misspellings or extra words (e.g., “amaz0n.com” or “bestbuy-deals.net”).
• Emails that ask you to click a link to “confirm your order” or “update your payment information” are almost always phishing. Hover over the link before clicking—if the destination address looks strange, don’t click.
• The VA News article specifically warns about messages that create a false sense of urgency: “Act now,” “Limited time,” “Your account will be closed.”

3. Pay with a Credit Card or a Trusted Payment Service

• Credit cards offer the best fraud protection under federal law. If you’re scammed, you can dispute the charge and the card issuer is often able to reverse it.
• Avoid wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency payments. Scammers ask for these because they are nearly impossible to trace or reverse.
• Services like PayPal (using a credit card as backup) can give you an extra layer of buyer protection.

4. Use Strong, Unique Passwords and Two‑Factor Authentication

• Reusing passwords across shopping sites is risky. If one site gets hacked, criminals can try your email and password on other sites.
• Enable two‑factor authentication (2FA) wherever it’s offered, especially for your email and payment accounts. An authenticator app is more secure than SMS.

5. Avoid Shopping on Public Wi‑Fi

• Public Wi‑Fi networks (in coffee shops, airports, hotels) are often unencrypted. A hacker on the same network could intercept your payment info. Use your phone’s cellular data or a VPN if you must shop away from home.

6. If You’ve Been Scammed: Act Quickly

• Contact your bank or credit card company immediately to freeze the card and dispute charges.
• File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.
• Change your passwords for any accounts you think may be compromised.
• Monitor your credit reports for signs of identity theft. You can get free weekly reports from AnnualCreditReport.com.

One last tip: The FDIC notes that scammers often pose as banks. If you receive an unexpected call or email from “your bank,” hang up and call the number on the back of your card. Do not use any number the caller gives you.

Sources

• VA News (.gov) – “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping” (January 2026)
• VA News (.gov) – “Shopping for the real deal” (December 2024)
• VA News (.gov) – “Navigating holiday shopping risks when shopping online” (November 2024)
• VA News (.gov) – “Protect your benefits from scammers during the holiday season” (December 2023)
• FDIC (.gov) – “Scammers and Fake Banks” (August 2024)
• Fox News – “Is ID.me safe to use? What you need to know” (May 2026)

Staying safe while shopping online doesn’t require a tech degree—just a little skepticism and a few good habits. By following the guidance above, you can shop with far less worry.