How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Advice from the VA

Online shopping has become routine for most of us, but the convenience comes with a persistent risk: scams. Every year, fraudsters invent new ways to separate shoppers from their money and personal information. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has published several recent articles warning about these threats, focusing on how veterans and the general public can stay safe. This guide distills that advice into a straightforward set of practices you can use right now.

What’s happening

The VA has been consistently tracking and reporting on shopping scams. In January 2026, they published a direct alert titled “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping.” That followed earlier pieces in December and November 2024 about holiday shopping risks and how to protect benefits. Separately, Fox News looked at the safety of ID.me, a verification service used by the VA and other agencies, in May 2026 — addressing concerns that federal identity tools themselves could become targets. The message across all these reports is the same: scams are evolving, and vigilance is your best defense.

Common schemes include fake e-commerce sites that mimic legitimate brands, phishing emails offering too-good-to-be-true deals, and fraudulent social media ads that lead to malicious pages. Some scammers also pose as government agencies, claiming you need to pay a fee or confirm personal details to keep your benefits active. Overpayment scams, where someone sends you a check for too much and asks you to wire back the difference, also appear regularly during shopping seasons.

Why it matters

Falling for a shopping scam can mean more than losing a few dollars. Scammers often steal credit card numbers, bank details, and even Social Security numbers. For veterans relying on VA benefits, a compromised identity can delay or disrupt payments, medical care, and other services. The FTC reported billions of dollars in consumer fraud losses in 2024 alone. And because scams are designed to look legitimate — with professional logos, realistic URLs, and urgent language — anyone can be caught off guard. The risk isn’t limited to the holidays; these attacks happen year-round.

What you can do

The VA recommends the following practical steps, which apply whether you’re shopping for groceries or a new laptop.

  1. Verify the seller, especially on new sites. Search for the company name plus “scam” or “review.” Look for independent feedback, not just testimonials on their own site. Check the URL carefully: scammers often change one letter (like “Amaz0n.com” with a zero) or use a .shop or .xyz domain instead of .com.

  2. Use secure payment methods. Credit cards and reputable payment services (such as PayPal or Apple Pay) offer better fraud protection than debit cards or wire transfers. Some banks also provide virtual credit card numbers for one-time use. Avoid paying by gift card or cryptocurrency — those are almost impossible to reverse.

  3. Watch for red flags in emails and ads. Poor grammar, generic greetings like “Dear customer,” and a sense of urgency (“Limited time offer – act now!”) are common tactics. Hover over links before clicking to see the actual destination. If an email claims to be from the VA or another government agency, do not click the link; go directly to the official website.

  4. Secure your accounts. Use strong, unique passwords for each shopping site and enable two-factor authentication where possible. The ID.me profile used for VA benefits, for example, has security features you should keep active.

  5. Know what to do if something goes wrong. If you suspect a scam, stop all communication. Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to dispute charges. Change the passwords for any accounts you think may be compromised. Report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the VA’s fraud hotline if it involves your benefits (1‑800‑827‑1000). Veterans can also contact their local VA office for help recovering from identity theft.

  6. Stay updated on common schemes. The VA and FTC both offer free email alerts about new scam trends. A few minutes of awareness can save you hours of hassle later.

Sources

  • “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping.” VA News, January 29, 2026.
  • “Shopping for the real deal.” VA News, December 12, 2024.
  • “Navigating holiday shopping risks when shopping online.” VA News, November 28, 2024.
  • “Protect your benefits from scammers during the holiday season.” VA News, December 1, 2023.
  • “Is ID.me safe to use? What you need to know.” Fox News, May 12, 2026.
  • Federal Trade Commission, ReportFraud.ftc.gov.