5 Online Shopping Scams to Watch Out for in 2026 (and How to Avoid Them)

Introduction

Online shopping scams are not new, but they are getting harder to spot. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has repeatedly warned about fraudulent websites, phishing messages, and payment fraud targeting shoppers, especially around peak shopping seasons. In January 2026, VA News published a reminder to “watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping,” highlighting how scammers are using more convincing tactics — including AI-generated content — to trick consumers. For anyone buying goods online, knowing the current threats and how to respond can mean the difference between a lost payment and a safe transaction.

What Happened

Government agencies and consumer protection groups have tracked a steady increase in online shopping fraud over the past few years. According to the Federal Trade Commission, gift card scams alone continue to drain millions of dollars from consumers annually. Scammers are also taking advantage of new tools: they can now create fake retailer websites that look nearly identical to legitimate ones, send personalized phishing emails that mention recent purchases, and exploit social media marketplaces to sell items that never arrive.

A VA News article from January 2026 specifically warned that scammers are impersonating government agencies and well-known retailers. The same piece noted that many consumers still fall for deals that seem too good to be true, especially on social media. Separately, Fox News reported in May 2026 on safety concerns around identity verification services like ID.me, which can become another vector for fraud if users are tricked into sharing credentials on a fake portal.

Why It Matters

Shopping scams do more than cost you money. They also expose personal information such as your name, address, credit card number, and even your Social Security number if the scam involves fake checkout pages or account verification. Once scammers have that data, they can commit identity theft, open credit accounts in your name, or sell the information on the dark web. For families or individuals on a tight budget, a single successful scam can cause significant financial stress. And because AI-generated messages and sites are becoming more polished, even cautious shoppers can be fooled.

The growing sophistication of these scams means that the old advice — “just look for a padlock icon in the address bar” — is no longer sufficient. You need to verify websites, double-check URLs, and never trust unsolicited messages that ask for payment or personal details.

What Readers Can Do

Here are five practical steps to protect yourself while shopping online.

  1. Check the URL and site details before entering payment information.
    Scammers often register domain names that look like a real store but include a slight misspelling or a different extension (e.g., “.shop” instead of “.com”). Open the site, look for a contact page, and read the return policy. If the site has no phone number, no physical address, or uses free email services (like Gmail or Yahoo) for customer support, it is likely a fake.

  2. Be skeptical of deals that are drastically below market price.
    A brand-new game console for $150 or designer handbags for $30 are red flags. Scammers lure shoppers with low prices to collect payment information and then either send nothing or ship a cheap counterfeit. Compare prices across multiple trusted retailers before buying.

  3. Watch for red flags in emails and text messages.
    Phishing messages often claim there is a problem with your order, a package delivery failure, or a limited-time discount. Look for poor grammar, generic greetings (like “Dear Customer”), and suspicious sender addresses. Do not click on links in these messages. Instead, go directly to the retailer’s website and log into your account to check.

  4. Avoid paying with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
    Legitimate retailers never ask for payment via gift cards or wire transfers. If a seller insists on these methods, it is almost certainly a scam. Use a credit card when possible, as credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards or peer-to-peer payment apps.

  5. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your shopping accounts and payment apps.
    This adds an extra layer of security. Even if a scammer manages to get your password, they will not be able to access your account without the second factor (usually a code sent to your phone). Some services also allow you to use an authenticator app instead of SMS, which is more secure.

If you do fall for a scam, act quickly. Contact your bank or credit card issuer to dispute the charge. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If you shared personal information like your Social Security number, place a fraud alert on your credit reports with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

Sources

  • VA News (Jan 29, 2026). “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping.” — U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  • VA News (Dec 12, 2024). “Shopping for the real deal.”
  • VA News (Nov 28, 2024). “Navigating holiday shopping risks when shopping online.”
  • VA News (Jan 30, 2025). “Protecting your benefits data from fraudsters.”
  • Fox News (May 12, 2026). “Is ID.me safe to use? What you need to know.”
  • Federal Trade Commission (various). Gift card scam warnings and consumer alerts.