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

Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts fraudsters. Every year, especially during tax season and the holidays, reports of scams spike. The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Trade Commission regularly update their guidance to help people—particularly veterans and military families—protect themselves. Knowing what to watch for can save you money and personal information.

What’s Happening

In January 2026, VA News published a reminder to “watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping,” pointing to common tactics like fake websites, phishing emails, and offers that seem too good to be true. The FTC has also issued consumer alerts about health insurance scams and other frauds that target shoppers. Separately, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services announced in May 2026 that high‑risk transactions would be automatically blocked on all SNAP cards—a sign that government agencies are taking financial fraud more seriously across the board.

These warnings don’t exist in a vacuum. The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) reported in 2025 that scams specifically aim at military communities, often using fake charity appeals or phony discounts for service members.

Why It Matters for You

If you fall for an online shopping scam, you can lose money, have your credit card details stolen, or give away enough personal information for identity theft. Veterans and active‑duty families are frequent targets because scammers assume they have steady incomes, benefits, or access to military discounts. The damage can go beyond the immediate purchase: a stolen Social Security number or bank account number can cause months of paperwork and financial headaches.

The good news is that most scams follow predictable patterns. Once you know them, they’re easier to spot.

What You Can Do

Recognize the red flags

  • Deals that seem too good to be true. A brand‑new laptop for 90% off? A “limited‑time offer” that demands immediate action? Those are classic pressure tactics.
  • Sites with odd or misspelled URLs. Always double‑check the web address. Scammers often use slight variations of legitimate store names (e.g., “amaz0n-discounts.com”).
  • Requests for unusual payment methods. If a seller asks for gift cards, cryptocurrency, or a wire transfer instead of a credit card, that’s a huge warning sign.
  • Poor grammar or generic greetings. Official retailers typically proofread their communications. An email that starts “Dear Customer” or has multiple typos is likely a phishing attempt.
  • No contact information or return policy. Legitimate businesses list a physical address, phone number, and clear return rules.

Shop safely

  • Only buy from websites that use “https://” and have a padlock icon in the address bar.
  • Use a credit card rather than a debit card; federal law gives you stronger fraud protection with credit cards.
  • Enable two‑factor authentication on your shopping accounts if available.
  • Avoid public Wi‑Fi when entering payment details. If you must shop on public Wi‑Fi, use a VPN.
  • Keep your devices and browsers updated. Security patches close known vulnerabilities.

If you get scammed

Act quickly to limit the damage:

  1. Contact your credit card issuer or bank to report the fraudulent charge and request a reversal.
  2. Change passwords for any accounts you used on the scam site.
  3. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC shares data with law enforcement.
  4. If you are a veteran or military family member affected by a scam that involved VA benefits, report it to the VA’s Office of Inspector General at va.gov/oig/hotline.
  5. Place a fraud alert or freeze on your credit reports with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion if you believe your Social Security number was exposed.

You can also spread the word to family and friends. Scammers often rely on people not talking about it. The more we share what to look for, the harder it is for them to succeed.

Sources

  • VA News, “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping” (January 2026)
  • Federal Trade Commission, consumer advice articles on scams (various dates)
  • MOAA, “Military Scams: How to Spot Them and Protect Your Community” (July 2025)
  • Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, “High Risk Transactions to Be Automatically Blocked on All SNAP Cards” (May 2026)