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

Online shopping offers convenience, but it also attracts scammers looking to steal your money or personal information. The Department of Veterans Affairs has published multiple alerts warning veterans and their families about common shopping scams and how to stay safe. This article draws on those official sources and similar guidance from the FDIC to give you practical, actionable steps.

What Happened

In January 2026, VA News released an article titled “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping,” reminding consumers that fraudsters use fake websites, phishing emails, and phony ads to trick shoppers. This is not a one-time warning—VA News has covered similar topics throughout 2023 and 2024, especially around the holiday season when scams spike. The FDIC also issued an alert about scammers impersonating legitimate banks to steal login credentials and account numbers.

Common scams include:

  • Fake online stores that look real but never deliver the product.
  • Phishing emails or texts that appear to come from a retailer or shipping company, asking you to click a link and enter sensitive data.
  • Too-good-to-be-true deals on social media or search ads.
  • Fake customer support numbers or websites that charge for help that should be free.

Why It Matters

Scams can cause financial loss and identity theft. For veterans and their families, the risks are especially serious because scammers may target VA benefits, pensions, or disability payments. Losing access to these funds—or having personal information stolen—can take months to resolve. Even if a scam doesn’t succeed, the attempt can compromise your device with malware.

None of this is alarmist: these scams are common and affect people of all ages and backgrounds. Being aware is the first line of defense.

What Readers Can Do

Here are concrete steps you can take, all backed by the VA and FDIC guidance.

Before you buy:

  • Verify the seller. If you’re on an unfamiliar website, search for reviews from independent sources. Be skeptical of sites with no contact information or an unusual domain name (e.g., “best-deals-2026 dot com”).
  • Check for HTTPS (the padlock icon in your browser). However, note that a padlock alone does not guarantee the site is legitimate—it only means the connection is encrypted.
  • Look for signs of a scam: poor grammar, misspelled brand names, aggressive countdown timers, or payment methods that only accept wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
  • Research the company’s refund and return policies before you pay.

When paying:

  • Use a credit card rather than a debit card. Credit cards often offer better fraud protection. Never send money via wire transfer or prepaid card to someone you don’t know.
  • Avoid entering your payment information on a site that feels off. If you’re unsure, use a one-time virtual card number if your bank offers one.

After you’ve purchased:

  • Monitor your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized charges.
  • If an item doesn’t arrive or is clearly fake, stop communicating with the seller. Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to dispute the charge.

If you think you’ve been scammed:

  1. Contact your financial institution right away. They can block further transactions and begin a fraud investigation.
  2. Report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC shares data with law enforcement.
  3. If you’re a veteran, you can also report the scam to VA’s Office of Inspector General at (800) 488-8244 or oig.va.gov.
  4. Change any compromised passwords and enable two-factor authentication on your accounts.

No single step is foolproof, but layering these precautions makes it much harder for scammers to succeed.

Sources

  • VA News (Jan 2026): Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping – read here
  • VA News (Dec 2024): Shopping for the real deal – read here
  • VA News (Nov 2024): Navigating holiday shopping risks when shopping online – read here
  • VA News (Dec 2023): Protect your benefits from scammers during the holiday season – read here
  • VA News (Dec 2024): Online safety measures for the Veteran community – read here
  • FDIC (Aug 2024): Scammers and Fake Banks – read here

All sources are from U.S. government domains (.gov), so the guidance is reliable and up to date. Stay cautious, verify before you click, and don’t let a so-called “deal” cost you more than you bargained for.