How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Tips from VA, FTC, and FBI

Online shopping has become a routine part of life for most people, but it also comes with a growing risk of fraud. According to the FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report, released in May 2025, cybercrime losses in the United States reached into the billions last year. A significant portion of those losses involve online shopping scams—phony stores, phishing messages, and deals that seem too good to be true. Veterans and military families are often targeted, partly because scammers know they may have steady benefits or pensions.

The Department of Veterans Affairs recently published an article titled “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping” to help consumers recognize the most common fraud tactics. Below is a practical summary of what you need to know, drawn from VA, FTC, and FBI resources.

What Happened

Fraudsters are constantly refining their methods. Common online shopping scams include:

  • Fake online stores: Scammers create convincing websites that mimic legitimate retailers, often with .com or .org domains that look official. They advertise popular items at deep discounts.
  • Phishing emails and texts: You receive a message that appears to be from Amazon, Walmart, or another well-known company, asking you to confirm a purchase or update payment details. The link leads to a fake login page that steals your credentials.
  • Social media marketplace fraud: On Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or even Instagram, sellers post items they don’t actually have. They ask for payment via Zelle, Venmo, or gift cards, then disappear.
  • Shipping and tracking scams: You get a notification about a package delivery that requires a small fee or personal information to “release” the item. This is a way to collect your credit card number or install malware.

The FBI and FTC both note that scams targeting military members and veterans often involve fake offers for housing, loans, or VA-related services. The VA’s January 2026 article specifically warns veterans to be wary of unsolicited calls or emails claiming to be from the VA and asking for payment or personal information.

Why It Matters

The financial and emotional toll of falling for a shopping scam can be significant. Losing a few hundred dollars on a fake gadget is bad enough, but scams can also lead to identity theft, bank account takeovers, and long-term credit damage. For veterans who rely on disability or pension payments, even a small fraud can disrupt household budgets and cause stress.

Moreover, scammers often recycle successful tactics. Once they know a particular approach works—like impersonating the VA benefits system—they will target more people. Staying informed is not just about protecting yourself; it helps reduce the overall effectiveness of these schemes.

What Readers Can Do

Here is a straightforward checklist to follow before and during any online purchase.

Before you buy

  • Verify the seller: Search for the business name plus “scam” or “complaint.” Check Better Business Bureau ratings and read independent reviews on sites like Trustpilot. Be skeptical of a website with no contact information or only a web form.
  • Examine the URL: Look for misspellings, extra words, or unusual top-level domains (e.g., .shop or .xyz). Legitimate retailers rarely use odd domains.
  • Check payment methods: Credit cards offer the strongest fraud protection. Avoid wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards—these are nearly impossible to reverse. Scammers almost always demand these.
  • Beware of huge discounts: A 90% off deal on a new iPhone is almost certainly a scam. If the price seems unrealistic, it probably is.

During checkout

  • Use secure connections: Avoid entering payment details on public Wi-Fi unless you are using a VPN. Look for “https://” and a padlock icon in the browser bar.
  • Enable two-factor authentication on shopping accounts and payment platforms (e.g., PayPal). This adds an extra layer even if your password is stolen.
  • Save receipts and order confirmation pages: Take a screenshot or save the email. If something goes wrong, you’ll need proof.

If you think you’ve been scammed

Act quickly. Follow these steps:

  1. Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately. Report the unauthorized charge and request a chargeback if possible. Time is critical—many banks have a 60-day window.
  2. Change your passwords for the affected account and any accounts that use the same password. Use a password manager to generate unique, strong passwords.
  3. Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.
  4. Document everything: Save emails, screenshots, transaction IDs, and any communication with the scammer. This will help law enforcement and your financial institution.
  5. Monitor your credit reports for unusual activity. You can get free weekly reports from AnnualCreditReport.com.

The VA also recommends that veterans report scams to the VA Fraud Hotline at 1-800-827-1000 if the scam involves someone pretending to be from the VA.

Sources

  • VA News (.gov) – “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping” (January 28, 2026)
  • FBI (.gov) – “FBI Releases Annual Internet Crime Report” (May 13, 2025)
  • Federal Trade Commission – “Spot Health Insurance Scams” and general consumer advice on shopping fraud
  • MOAA – “Military Scams: How to Spot Them and Protect Your Community” (July 2025)

Staying safe online doesn’t require advanced technical skills—just a healthy dose of caution and the habit of verifying before you click or pay. If something feels off, trust that feeling and step away.