Staying Safe While Shopping Online: Practical Tips to Avoid Scams

Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts scammers looking to take your money or personal information. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, scams targeting shoppers—especially veterans and their families—are becoming more sophisticated. The good news is that you don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to protect yourself. A few simple habits can make a big difference.

What’s Happening

Fraudsters are creating fake websites that look identical to well-known retailers like Amazon, Walmart, or Best Buy. They promote these sites through social media ads, phishing emails, and even text messages. The offers seem irresistible: deep discounts on popular items, limited-time deals, or “free shipping” on expensive products. Once you enter your payment information, the scammers either steal your card details, send you counterfeit goods, or simply take your money and disappear.

The VA has published multiple alerts over the past two years warning about these threats, especially during the holiday season. One article from January 2026 specifically reminded shoppers to “watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping.” The agency also shared guidance on protecting benefits data from fraudsters, highlighting that scammers often impersonate government agencies to gain trust.

Why It Matters for You

Falling for an online shopping scam can mean more than losing the price of a single item. If you enter your credit card number or banking details on a fake site, that information can be used for identity theft or unauthorized purchases. Veterans and military families are frequent targets because scammers know they may have steady benefits or pensions. Losing access to those funds can create serious financial hardship.

Beyond the immediate loss, recovering from identity theft takes time and effort. You may need to freeze your credit, dispute fraudulent charges, and file reports with multiple agencies. That’s why prevention is far better than cleanup.

What You Can Do

Here are concrete steps to spot and avoid online shopping scams, based on guidance from the VA and the Federal Trade Commission.

1. Verify the website before you buy

Scammers often register domain names that are nearly identical to legitimate brands—like “walmart-discounts.com” instead of “walmart.com.” Look for these red flags:

  • The web address has extra words, misspellings, or a strange domain suffix (.net, .biz, .info).
  • The site lacks contact information, such as a physical address or phone number.
  • The design looks off: blurry images, broken links, or poor grammar in product descriptions.

A quick way to check: search for the store’s name plus “scam” or “complaints.” Also, use a site like the Better Business Bureau to see if the business is legitimate.

2. Be suspicious of prices that are too low

If a new iPhone is listed for $200, it’s almost certainly a scam. Scammers hook you with unbelievable deals precisely because they want you to act fast without thinking. Compare the price to what you’d pay on a trusted site like Amazon, Best Buy, or directly from the manufacturer. If the discount is more than 60% and the store isn’t a well-known outlet, stay away.

3. Pay with a credit card or a digital wallet

Credit cards offer stronger fraud protections than debit cards, bank transfers, or payment apps like Venmo and Cash App. If you use a credit card and the purchase turns out to be fraudulent, you can dispute the charge and typically get your money back. Never pay by wire transfer, money order, or cryptocurrency for online purchases—those methods are almost impossible to reverse.

Digital wallets like PayPal, Apple Pay, or Google Pay add another layer of security because they don’t share your actual card number with the merchant.

4. Watch out for phishing emails and text messages

Scammers often send messages that claim there’s a problem with your order or that you’ve won a prize. These messages contain links that lead to fake login pages designed to steal your credentials. If you get an unexpected message about a package delivery or order issue, don’t click the link. Instead, go directly to the retailer’s website and check your account there.

5. After you buy, monitor your accounts

Check your bank and credit card statements regularly for any charges you don’t recognize. Set up transaction alerts so you get a text or email every time a purchase is made. If you see something suspicious, contact your financial institution immediately.

6. Know what to do if you are scammed

If you realize you’ve given your information to a fraudulent site, act quickly:

  • Contact your bank or credit card company to freeze your account or dispute charges.
  • File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  • If the scam involved identity theft, visit IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan.
  • Report the fraud to your local police department—especially if you lost money.

Veterans who suspect their VA benefits have been targeted should call the VA’s fraud hotline at 1-800-827-1000.

Staying Safe Long-Term

No single tip can guarantee you’ll never encounter a scam, but combining these habits will reduce your risk significantly. Keep your computer and phone updated, use strong and unique passwords for each site, and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible. When in doubt, step back. A legitimate deal will still be available tomorrow.

Sources:

  • VA News, “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping,” January 28, 2026.
  • VA News, “Shopping for the real deal,” December 10, 2024.
  • VA News, “Navigating holiday shopping risks when shopping online,” November 28, 2024.
  • VA News, “Online safety measures for the Veteran community,” December 18, 2024.
  • VA News, “Protect your benefits from scammers during the holiday season,” December 1, 2023.
  • Federal Trade Commission, ReportFraud.ftc.gov.