How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Tips for Safe Buying

Online shopping has become a regular part of life for most of us. But as e‑commerce grows, so do the number of scams designed to steal your money and personal information. In 2025, the Federal Trade Commission reported that consumers lost more than $1.2 billion to online shopping fraud – a figure that has risen every year. The good news is that most scams share tell‑tale signs, and a little awareness goes a long way.

What’s Happening

Recent reports from government agencies and news outlets highlight the variety of schemes targeting shoppers. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has warned beneficiaries about fake websites that mimic official portals, often offering “exclusive discounts” on benefits or medical supplies. Separately, Fox News has covered ongoing concerns about identity verification services like ID.me, which scammers have used to impersonate government agents. Meanwhile, the FDIC has issued alerts about fake bank websites that trick people into entering login credentials.

These aren’t isolated incidents. Criminals are also using phishing emails that look like order confirmations from Amazon or tracking updates from UPS, hoping you’ll click a link that leads to a fraudulent site. During the holiday season, they ramp up fake “doorbuster” deals that disappear if you don’t pay within minutes. The common thread is pressure: the scammer wants you to act fast without thinking.

Why It Matters

For most households, online shopping is routine – groceries, clothes, electronics, even medical supplies. A single mistake can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, and recovering that money is often difficult if you paid by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency. Unlike credit card payments, those methods offer little protection.

Beyond the immediate financial damage, falling for a scam can expose your personal data. Scammers may use your information to open accounts in your name, file fraudulent tax returns, or sell your details on the dark web. Older adults and people less familiar with technology are especially vulnerable, but anyone shopping online can be caught off guard by a well‑crafted fake email or website.

What You Can Do

The key is to slow down and verify. Here are practical steps that reduce risk without making shopping a chore.

Stick to reputable sellers. If you’re buying from a retailer you don’t know, look up reviews – but don’t rely solely on the ones on the store’s own site. Search for the business name plus “scam” or “complaint.” Check if the Better Business Bureau has a rating.

Examine the website address carefully. Scammers buy domains that look like the real thing, such as “amaz0n-deals.com” or “costco-shop.net.” Look for misspellings, extra words, or uncommon top‑level domains like “.shop” or “.top.” Legitimate sites will have “https://” and a padlock icon in the address bar, though that alone is not a guarantee of safety.

Pay with a credit card. Credit cards often let you dispute charges, and card issuers have fraud‑protection teams. Debit cards, bank transfers, and gift cards offer much less recourse. Never pay a seller who asks you to wire money or load a prepaid card.

Enable two‑factor authentication on your accounts. This adds an extra step when logging in – usually a code sent to your phone – so that even if a scammer gets your password, they can’t access your account.

Beware of urgent or too‑good‑to‑be‑true offers. Scammers create false scarcity: “Only 2 left at this price – act now.” If a deal seems impossibly low, it probably is. Compare prices across a few trusted sites before buying.

Check your bank and credit card statements regularly. Fraudulent charges often start as small test amounts. Catching them early limits damage.

If you think you’ve been scammed, contact your bank or card issuer immediately to freeze payments. Change the passwords on your email and shopping accounts. Report the incident to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. For scams involving government benefits, notify the relevant agency – such as the VA – so they can flag your account.

Sources

  • VA News (.gov) – “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping” (January 2026)
  • VA News (.gov) – “Shopping for the real deal” (December 2024)
  • VA News (.gov) – “Navigating holiday shopping risks when shopping online” (November 2024)
  • Fox News – “Is ID.me safe to use? What you need to know” (May 2026)
  • Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) – “Scammers and Fake Banks” (August 2024)
  • Federal Trade Commission – Data on online shopping fraud losses (2025)