How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: A Shopper’s Guide

Online shopping offers convenience and often better prices, but it also attracts scammers looking to separate you from your money or personal information. Fraudulent websites, phony deals, and phishing emails are common, and they can target anyone. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has published guidance to help consumers, including veterans, watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping. The advice applies broadly. Here’s what you need to know.

What Happened

Government sources, including VA News, have repeatedly warned about the rise in online shopping scams, especially during peak shopping seasons like the holidays. Scammers create fake storefronts, send deceptive emails that mimic legitimate retailers, and post too-good-to-be-true ads on social media. These schemes are not new, but they evolve quickly. The VA’s reminder articles (e.g., “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping,” “Shopping for the real deal”) provide concrete tips to avoid becoming a victim.

Why It Matters

Online fraud is widespread. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers reported losing billions of dollars to online shopping scams in recent years, and the numbers keep climbing. A single mistake—clicking a malicious link or entering payment details on a fake site—can drain your bank account or lead to identity theft. Unlike a physical store, you can’t inspect the goods or the seller before paying. That makes vigilance essential. Veterans and older adults are especially targeted, but no one is immune.

What Readers Can Do

Here are practical steps you can take, based on the VA’s guidance and general best practices.

1. Verify the Website and Seller

  • Check the URL: Look for “https://” and a padlock icon in the address bar. But be aware—scammers can also get SSL certificates, so this is not foolproof.
  • Research the company: Do a quick search for the store name plus words like “scam” or “review.” Look for independent feedback on sites like the Better Business Bureau or Trustpilot.
  • Be wary of newly registered domains: Use a tool like Whois to see when the domain was created. Sites registered weeks ago are riskier.
  • Confirm contact info: Legitimate businesses have a physical address and a working customer service number. If only a web form is provided, proceed with caution.

2. Recognize Common Red Flags

  • Unbelievable discounts: An 80% off deal on a popular item is rarely real.
  • Poor website quality: Typos, broken links, generic stock photos, and mismatched branding.
  • Pressure tactics: “Limited time offer” or “Only 3 left” countdowns that feel artificial.
  • Unusual payment methods: Requests for wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or payment apps like Zelle or CashApp. These offer little to no fraud protection.

3. Use Safe Payment Methods

  • Credit cards are the safest option. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, you can dispute charges and often get your money back if the item never arrives or is misrepresented.
  • Debit cards carry higher risk because the money leaves your account immediately and fraud protections are weaker.
  • Trusted payment services like PayPal (when used with a credit card) add another layer of protection. But avoid sending money as a “friend or family” payment—that removes buyer protection.

4. Protect Your Personal Data

  • Use a strong, unique password for each shopping account. A password manager makes this easier.
  • Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible, especially for sites that store your payment information.
  • Avoid shopping over public Wi-Fi. If you must, use a VPN (virtual private network) to encrypt your connection.

5. Watch Out for Phishing

  • Scammers send emails or texts that appear to be from Amazon, eBay, or a shipping company. They often include a link to “confirm your order” or “track your package.”
  • Never click links in unsolicited messages. Instead, go directly to the retailer’s website and log into your account.
  • Look for generic greetings, misspellings, and urgent language.

6. What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed

  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to stop payment or reverse the charge.
  • Change your passwords for any accounts that may be compromised.
  • Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  • If you’re a veteran, you can also report identity theft related to VA benefits through the VA’s Benefits Fraud hotline at 1-800-827-1000.

Sources

  • VA News – “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping” (2026)
  • VA News – “Shopping for the real deal” (2024)
  • Federal Trade Commission – Consumer advice on online shopping scams
  • Better Business Bureau – Tips for safe online shopping

By staying alert and following these steps, you can reduce your chances of losing money or personal information. Scammers rely on urgency and distraction—slow down, verify, and when in doubt, don’t click.