Online Shopping Scams Are Getting Smarter: How to Protect Yourself

Online shopping has become a routine part of life for most of us. But scammers have taken notice. According to the FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report, Americans lost over $12.5 billion to cybercrime in 2023 — and a growing share of that comes from fake websites, phishing texts, and fraudulent marketplace listings. Government agencies including the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Veterans Affairs have issued recent warnings urging shoppers to stay alert. Here’s what you need to know to shop safely.

What’s Happening: Latest Scam Alerts

In January 2026, the VA News service published an article reminding veterans and the general public to watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping. The piece highlights that scammers are increasingly impersonating trusted brands like Amazon, USPS, and even the VA itself. Around the same time, the FTC warned about a surge in calls and texts claiming to be from Amazon about a suspicious purchase on your account — a classic phishing attempt designed to steal your login credentials or payment details.

These scams aren’t just annoying; they’re financially damaging. The FBI report notes that phishing and non-payment/non-delivery scams are among the top complaint categories. And during holiday seasons, scam activity spikes as people are more likely to click quickly on “too good to be true” deals.

Why It Matters

Most of us assume we’d never fall for a scam, but scammers have become remarkably convincing. They create websites that look nearly identical to real stores, use official logos, and even mimic customer service scripts. The goal is usually to get your credit card number, personal information, or access to your accounts. Once scammed, victims often face a long recovery process: disputing charges, freezing credit, and changing passwords across multiple services. For vulnerable populations — such as older adults or military families — the impact can be especially severe.

What You Can Do: Practical Steps

Before you buy:

  • Check the URL carefully. Scammers often use slight misspellings (e.g., “amaz0n.com”) or odd domain endings.
  • Read reviews from multiple sources. A new website with only glowing, generic reviews is a red flag.
  • Use a credit card rather than debit. Credit cards offer better fraud protection, and you can dispute charges more easily.
  • Avoid unusual payment methods. If a seller asks for gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, it’s almost certainly a scam.
  • Enable two-factor authentication on your shopping accounts. This extra step can block attackers even if they steal your password.

If you suspect you’ve been scammed:

  • Contact your bank or credit card company immediately to report unauthorized charges and request a chargeback.
  • Report the scam to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov — they share data with law enforcement.
  • Consider freezing your credit with the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) to prevent identity theft.
  • Change passwords for any accounts you may have compromised, and use a password manager to generate strong, unique passwords.

Stay Informed

Scammers evolve quickly, but so do the warnings from trusted sources. Bookmark the FTC’s consumer advice page and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). And next time you see a deal that feels too good to be true, take a moment to verify before clicking. A few seconds of caution can save you hours of headaches.

Sources:

  • VA News: “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping” (January 2026)
  • Federal Trade Commission: “Did you get a call or text about a suspicious purchase on Amazon? It’s a scam” (March 2024)
  • FBI: 2024 Internet Crime Report (May 2025)