How to Spot Online Shopping Scams: What Government Alerts Can Teach Us

Online shopping has become routine for most of us, but scammers have become just as routine in trying to steal your money and personal information. Government agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), regularly issue warnings about the latest tactics. Their advice is practical, tested against real threats, and often the same across multiple agencies—which means it’s worth paying attention to.

What’s Happening: A Steady Stream of Scam Alerts

Between late 2023 and early 2026, VA News published several articles urging shoppers to watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping. The FDIC put out a warning about scammers posing as fake banks. These alerts aren’t isolated: they reflect an ongoing pattern. Scammers use holiday seasons, big sales events, and even government benefit periods to target consumers. Common tactics include:

  • Phishing emails and texts that appear to come from a legitimate store or delivery service.
  • Fake websites that copy the look of well-known retailers, often with slight misspellings in the URL.
  • Too-good-to-be-true deals on popular items, especially electronics or luxury goods.
  • Impersonation of government agencies, such as fake calls or messages claiming to be from the VA or Social Security Administration.

The VA’s “Shopping for the real deal” article and its holiday shopping risk guide both emphasize that scammers are becoming more sophisticated, but many of the red flags remain the same.

Why It Matters

The consequences of falling for an online shopping scam can be serious. You may lose the money you paid, have your credit card details stolen, or become a victim of identity theft. For veterans and military families, scammers sometimes target benefits directly, as noted in a VA article on protecting benefits during the holiday season. Even if you don’t lose money immediately, giving out your personal information can lead to long-term problems like fraudulent accounts opened in your name.

The FDIC’s warning about fake banks is a reminder that scammers don’t limit themselves to retail: they may try to trick you into depositing money into a fake account or sharing your banking login. The financial impact can be significant, and recovering funds is not always guaranteed.

What You Can Do

Government sources consistently recommend the same set of practical steps. Here’s how to apply them the next time you shop online:

  • Check the URL carefully. Look for HTTPS at the beginning of the web address, but don’t stop there. Scammers can get HTTPS certificates, too. Verify the domain name itself: “amazonn.com” or “bestbuy-discounts.com” are red flags.
  • Pay with a credit card or a secure payment service (like PayPal or Apple Pay). Credit cards offer better fraud protection than debit cards or wire transfers. Avoid paying by gift card, cryptocurrency, or direct bank transfer—these are favorites of scammers because the money is hard to recover.
  • Read reviews from multiple sources. A website with glowing five-star reviews that all sound alike may be fake. Check third-party platforms like Trustpilot or the Better Business Bureau.
  • Be skeptical of urgency. Scammers often say “limited stock” or “offer ends in one hour” to pressure you. Legitimate sales will still be there tomorrow.
  • Don’t click links in unsolicited emails or texts. If you get a message about a package delivery problem or a great deal, go directly to the retailer’s website instead of clicking the link.
  • Monitor your accounts. Check your bank and credit card statements regularly for unauthorized charges. Report anything suspicious immediately.
  • Report scams when you see them. If you suspect a fake website or phishing attempt, report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov. For scams targeting veterans, VA encourages reporting through their own channels as well.

The VA’s “Online safety measures for the Veteran community” article also suggests enabling multi-factor authentication on your accounts and keeping your software and devices updated.

Sources

This article draws on the following government publications:

  • VA News: “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping” (January 2026)
  • VA News: “Shopping for the real deal” (December 2024)
  • VA News: “Navigating holiday shopping risks when shopping online” (November 2024)
  • VA News: “Protect your benefits from scammers during the holiday season” (December 2023)
  • VA News: “Online safety measures for the Veteran community” (December 2024)
  • FDIC: “Scammers and Fake Banks” (August 2024)

These alerts are written for the general public, not just veterans, and the advice applies to anyone who shops online. Staying informed and skeptical is your best defense.