How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: A Practical Guide

Online shopping has become a routine part of life for most consumers, but alongside its convenience comes a steady rise in scams. Fraudsters create convincing fake websites, send phishing emails disguised as order confirmations, and advertise deals that are simply too good to be true. Recent warnings from organizations like the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Federal Trade Commission, and the FBI highlight that these threats are growing more sophisticated. The good news is that you don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to protect yourself. A few straightforward habits can make a significant difference.

What’s Happening

In January 2026, VA News published an article urging shoppers—particularly veterans and military families, but the advice applies to everyone—to watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping. The article emphasizes that scammers often target people during peak shopping seasons, but fraudulent activity occurs year-round. The FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report, released in May 2025, shows that e-commerce fraud continues to climb, with losses in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Common schemes include:

  • Fake websites that mimic legitimate retailers, often with slight misspellings in the URL (e.g., “amaz0n.com” instead of “amazon.com”).
  • Phishing emails that appear to come from a store or delivery service, asking you to click a link to confirm an order or update payment information.
  • Too-good-to-be-true deals advertised on social media or through pop-up ads, especially for high-demand items like electronics or designer goods.
  • Refund or overpayment scams, where someone contacts you claiming you were overcharged and asks for your bank details to “process a refund.”

Why It Matters

Falling for an online shopping scam can cost you more than the price of a product. Scammers often gain access to your credit card numbers, bank accounts, or even personal information that can be used for identity theft. The emotional toll is real too—many victims report feeling embarrassed or hesitant to report the crime, which only allows scammers to continue targeting others. According to the FTC, reporting scams is crucial because it helps law enforcement track patterns and warn other consumers.

What You Can Do

Here are concrete steps you can take to reduce your risk, based on guidance from the FTC and consumer protection experts.

1. Verify the seller or website before you buy.
Search for the business name plus words like “scam” or “complaint.” Check for a physical address and a working customer service phone number. Be wary of sites that lack contact information or have poor grammar and design.

2. Pay with a credit card whenever possible.
Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards or wire transfers. Many card issuers allow you to dispute unauthorized charges. Avoid using direct bank transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency for online purchases—scammers often demand these because they are hard to trace.

3. Look for the padlock in the address bar and “https” in the URL.
This indicates the site encrypts your data. However, note that a padlock alone does not guarantee a site is legitimate; scammers can also obtain SSL certificates. It’s one signal among many.

4. Be skeptical of urgent or emotional language.
Phrases like “Limited time offer,” “Act now or you’ll lose this deal,” or “Your account has been suspended” are designed to pressure you into acting without thinking. Legitimate retailers rarely use such tactics.

5. If you think you’ve been scammed, act quickly.
Contact your bank or credit card company to freeze the account or reverse the charge. Then report the incident to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your local police department. For veterans or military families, the VA also offers resources for reporting scams. The sooner you act, the better your chances of recovering your money.

Sources

  • VA News, “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping,” January 2026.
  • Federal Trade Commission, “Consumer Advice: Online Shopping Scams,” accessed June 2026.
  • FBI, “2024 Internet Crime Report,” May 2025.

The most effective way to protect yourself is to combine caution with knowledge. By staying informed and following these steps, you can shop online with more confidence—and avoid becoming the next victim of a scam that could have been prevented.