How to spot and avoid online shopping scams: tips from VA.gov

Online shopping has become part of daily life, but it has also opened the door for scammers looking to steal money and personal information. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regularly publishes warnings and practical advice to help veterans and their families — and really, anyone — stay safe when shopping online. The guidance from VA News covers the most common tricks fraudsters use and how to avoid them. Because scammers constantly adjust their tactics, it’s worth reviewing the basics regularly.

What happened

VA News has published several articles over the past two years alerting consumers to the growth of online shopping scams. One of the key pieces, “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping,” outlines how scammers create fake websites that look like legitimate stores, send phishing emails that appear to be from well‑known brands, and post fraudulent ads on social media. Another article, “Shopping for the real deal,” provides tips on verifying that a site is genuine before entering payment details. The VA also issued seasonal warnings, such as “Navigating holiday shopping risks when shopping online” and “Protect your benefits from scammers during the holiday season,” because scam activity tends to spike during periods of high spending.

These warnings are based on reports collected by federal agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which tracks consumer fraud. The VA’s perspective is especially important for veterans because scammers sometimes target people who receive benefits, using fake communications that appear to come from the VA itself.

Why it matters

Online shopping scams cause real financial harm. According to FTC data, consumers reported losing billions of dollars to fraud in recent years, with a significant portion tied to online shopping. Beyond the immediate monetary loss, victims may also have their credit card numbers, bank accounts, or Social Security numbers compromised. For veterans, a stolen benefit account or identity can lead to interrupted payments and a long process to restore access.

The problem isn’t limited to one demographic. Scammers aim for anyone who clicks a link or enters a credit card number. But veterans are often targeted with scams that impersonate the VA or use military‑related themes. That makes it especially important for this group — and anyone who shops online — to know what to look for.

What readers can do

The practical advice from VA News and other .gov sources breaks down into a few clear actions. No single step will guarantee safety, but following these habits will reduce risk.

Learn the common red flags

Too‑good‑to‑be‑true prices. If a deal is drastically lower than what you see elsewhere, treat it with suspicion.
Pressure to act quickly. Phrases like “limited time offer” or “only five left” are often used to rush you into a purchase without thinking.
Requests for unusual payment methods. Legitimate retailers accept credit cards or services like PayPal. Scammers often ask for wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
Poor website quality. Broken links, misspellings, blurry product images, and a lack of contact information can be signs of a fake site.
Emails that look off. Phishing emails may have mismatched sender addresses, generic greetings like “Dear Customer,” or links that go to a different domain when you hover over them.

Verify before you buy

Check the URL. A secure shopping site should start with “https://” and show a padlock icon in the address bar. But note that a padlock alone does not guarantee the site is legitimate — it only means the connection is encrypted.
Search for the store name plus “scam” or “review” to see if others have reported problems.
Look for a physical address and customer service phone number. If you can’t find any, be cautious.
For VA‑related services, always use the official .gov website. The VA will never ask for sensitive information by email or text.

Use secure payment methods

Pay with a credit card when possible. Credit cards offer better fraud protection than debit cards or direct bank transfers.
Avoid paying by wire transfer, gift card, or cash‑app services for purchases from unknown sellers. These methods are very hard to reverse.

Protect your accounts

Enable two‑factor authentication (2FA) on your email and financial accounts. It adds a second step to log in, which can stop scammers even if they get your password.
Use a unique, strong password for each online store. A password manager can help.
Monitor your bank and credit card statements regularly. Report any unrecognized charges immediately.

What to do if you’ve been scammed

Contact your bank or credit card company right away to dispute the charge and freeze the account if needed.
Change the passwords on any accounts you used when shopping.
Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC uses those reports to track patterns and take action against scammers.
If the scam involves someone impersonating the VA, report it to the VA’s Office of Inspector General at va.gov/oig/hotline.

Sources

The information in this article draws from the following VA News articles and related government resources:

VA News. “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping.” Published January 29, 2026. Link
VA News. “Shopping for the real deal.” Published December 12, 2024. Link
VA News. “Navigating holiday shopping risks when shopping online.” Published November 28, 2024. Link
VA News. “Protect your benefits from scammers during the holiday season.” Published December 1, 2023. Link
Federal Trade Commission. Report fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Staying safe while shopping online doesn’t require advanced tech skills — just a bit of caution and the habit of verifying before you pay. Share these tips with family and friends, especially those who may be less experienced with online shopping. Scams evolve, but with the right awareness, you can spot them and avoid becoming a victim.