How to avoid online shopping scams: Practical tips to shop safely

Online shopping has become part of daily life for most people, but it also attracts scammers looking to steal money and personal information. Government sources like the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regularly issue reminders about staying safe while shopping online. The advice applies to anyone, not just veterans. This article covers the most common types of online shopping scams, why they continue to work, and what you can do to protect yourself.

What happened

The VA News website has published several articles over the past few years warning about online shopping scams. A January 2026 piece titled “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping” highlights the persistent threat and offers practical guidance. Other VA articles from 2024 and 2025 focus on holiday shopping risks, protecting benefits from scammers, and general online safety measures for the veteran community.

These articles are part of an ongoing government effort to educate consumers. They describe common tactics: fake websites that imitate legitimate retailers, too-good-to-be-true deals that require payment via gift cards or wire transfers, phishing emails that look like order confirmations, and fake reviews that inflate a product’s credibility. The VA’s messages are backed by law enforcement agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which tracks fraud reports.

Why it matters

Online shopping scams are not rare. The FTC reported that consumers lost over $8.8 billion to fraud in 2022, with online shopping scams being one of the top categories. The problem affects every demographic, but older adults and those who are less familiar with technology are often targeted more aggressively. For veterans who rely on VA benefits, a scam could result in stolen benefit payments or identity theft that disrupts healthcare and other services.

Even small losses add up. Many people assume they would never fall for a scam, but scammers refine their methods constantly. Fake websites now use SSL certificates and professional designs that look convincing. Urgency tactics – “only 2 left in stock” or “offer expires in 1 hour” – pressure shoppers into making quick decisions without checking details.

What readers can do

You can reduce your risk with a few straightforward habits. Below are the most effective steps, based on VA News guidance and general consumer protection advice.

Recognize red flags before you click.

  • Deals that are far below the usual price are usually bait.
  • Payment requests for wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards are almost always scams. Legitimate retailers accept credit cards or trusted payment services like PayPal.
  • Websites with misspellings, poor grammar, or missing contact information should raise suspicion.
  • Emails claiming a problem with your order that ask you to click a link and log in are likely phishing attempts. Always go directly to the retailer’s website instead of clicking links in emails.

Shop from known, reputable sources.

  • Stick to major retailers (Amazon, Walmart, Target) or well-known brand websites. If you are trying a new site, search for its name plus “scam” or “review” to see complaints.
  • Check the URL carefully. Fraudsters often use addresses like “amazon-shop.com” or “nike-outlet.net” to trick you.
  • Use credit cards instead of debit cards. Credit cards offer better fraud protection, and you can dispute charges more easily. Some cards also provide purchase protection.
  • Enable two-factor authentication on your shopping accounts. This adds an extra step, but it stops scammers from accessing your account even if they get your password.

If something goes wrong, act quickly.

  • If you realize you’ve been scammed, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) if the scam involved interstate or international activity.
  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to stop payment or dispute the charge. The sooner you act, the better your chance of recovering the money.
  • Change the passwords on any accounts you may have compromised. Use a password manager to generate and store strong, unique passwords.
  • Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit report if you gave away personal information like your Social Security number. You can do this by contacting any of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).

Stay informed.
Scam tactics evolve, but the basics rarely change. Government agencies like the FTC and VA publish updated warnings. Following their advice is a reliable way to stay ahead of common threats.

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)
  • VA News – “Protecting your benefits data from fraudsters” (January 30, 2025)
  • Federal Trade Commission – Consumer advice on online shopping scams (ftc.gov)