How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams – Practical Tips from Government Experts

Online shopping is fast and convenient, but it also opens the door to scammers. Every year, consumers lose billions of dollars to fraud, and a large chunk of that comes from fake websites, phishing emails, and too-good-to-be-true deals. In January 2026, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs issued a new alert reminding shoppers – especially veterans, seniors, and less tech-savvy users – to stay vigilant. This article walks through the most common online shopping scams, clear red flags, and concrete steps you can take right now to protect yourself.

What Happened

The VA News alert, titled “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping,” draws attention to the persistent threat of online fraud. It builds on earlier VA publications – including “Shopping for the real deal” (December 2024) and “Navigating holiday shopping risks when shopping online” (November 2024) – that highlight how scammers adapt their tactics around seasonal sales and major shopping events.

The numbers are sobering. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), consumers reported losing more than $8.8 billion to fraud in 2022, and online shopping scams consistently rank among the top categories. The actual total is likely higher, because many incidents go unreported. Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, sometimes cloning entire websites of well-known retailers or sending emails that look exactly like order confirmations from legitimate companies.

Why It Matters

Anyone who shops online is a potential target, but certain groups are more vulnerable. Veterans, older adults, and people who are less familiar with digital security are often specifically targeted. Scammers know that seniors may be less likely to recognize phishing clues or to verify a seller before buying. The emotional and financial consequences can be severe – beyond the loss of money, victims may also have their personal information stolen, leading to identity theft.

Even if you are tech-savvy, the line between a real deal and a fake one can be blurry. Scammers use social media ads, fake reviews, and pressure tactics (“limited stock! act now!”) to push you into a bad decision. That is why it is worth slowing down and checking the basics before you click “buy.”

What Readers Can Do

Here are the most important steps you can take, based directly on government guidance and widely accepted security practices.

1. Know the common scams

  • Fake websites that copy a real store’s design, but the URL is slightly misspelled (e.g., “amazzon.com” instead of “amazon.com”).
  • Phishing emails that claim there is a problem with your order and ask you to click a link or provide personal information.
  • Too-good-to-be-true deals on social media or in pop-up ads, often for luxury goods or electronics at unrealistically low prices.
  • Fake reviews and seller accounts on marketplaces like Amazon or eBay, making a shady seller look trustworthy.

2. Look for red flags

  • The seller asks for payment via gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. Legitimate businesses rarely do this.
  • The website has poor grammar, missing contact pages, or no physical address.
  • The site does not have a secure connection (look for “https://” and a padlock icon in your browser bar).
  • You are pressured to act immediately – e.g., a countdown timer that says “offer ends in 10 minutes.”

3. Verify the seller before you buy

  • Check the site’s URL carefully.
  • Search for independent reviews or complaints on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Trustpilot, or Reddit.
  • Look up the business’s physical address and phone number. Call them if you are unsure.
  • Use a payment method that offers buyer protection – a credit card is generally safer than a debit card or direct bank transfer. PayPal also provides some protection for eligible purchases.

4. Know what to do if you are scammed

  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately. They can stop or reverse the charge and issue a new card.
  • Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  • File a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.
  • Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports by contacting one of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). This makes it harder for identity thieves to open accounts in your name.

5. Build good habits

  • Use a strong, unique password for every shopping account. A password manager makes this easier.
  • Enable two-factor authentication (also called multi-factor authentication) wherever possible.
  • Keep your devices, apps, and browsers up to date.
  • Avoid making purchases over public Wi-Fi (coffee shops, airports) unless you are using a VPN.
  • Check your bank and credit card statements regularly – at least once a week.

None of these steps are foolproof, but together they make you a much harder target. Scammers move on when they meet resistance.

Sources

  • VA News: “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping.” Published Jan. 28, 2026.
  • VA News: “Shopping for the real deal.” Published Dec. 10, 2024.
  • VA News: “Navigating holiday shopping risks when shopping online.” Published Nov. 28, 2024.
  • Federal Trade Commission: “New FTC Data Show Consumers Reported Losing Nearly $8.8 Billion to Scams in 2022.” Feb. 23, 2023.
  • Better Business Bureau: Tips for safe online shopping.

Stay alert, trust your gut, and remember: if an online deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.