How to Spot Online Shopping Scams: A Practical Guide

The convenience of buying almost anything online has made shopping scams increasingly common. Fraudsters have grown more sophisticated, creating fake storefronts that look legitimate, sending convincing phishing emails, and using pressure tactics to rush you into a purchase. Recently, the Department of Veterans Affairs published an advisory reminding shoppers—especially veterans and military families—to stay alert. But the advice applies to anyone buying online.

Here’s what you need to know about today’s most common online shopping scams, how to spot them before you lose money, and what to do if you’ve already been tricked.

What Happened: A Rise in Targeted Shopping Scams

Government agencies have noted an uptick in scams that specifically target online shoppers. The VA News advisory (January 2026) warns that fraudsters are creating fake websites that mimic legitimate retailers, sending phony “order confirmation” emails with malicious links, and advertising deals that are too good to be true. These scams often target groups perceived as vulnerable, such as veterans using benefits portals or government discount programs, but the same tactics appear on all major e-commerce platforms.

Scammers also exploit major shopping events like holiday sales or benefit disbursement dates. According to the Federal Trade Commission, the number of online shopping fraud reports has been increasing year over year, with many victims losing hundreds of dollars before they realize the store never existed.

Why It Matters

Online shopping scams don’t just cost you money—they can also lead to identity theft. When you enter your credit card number, shipping address, and sometimes your Social Security number on a fraudulent site, that data can be used for further fraud. Veterans are particularly at risk because scammers may try to access VA benefits accounts or use military-affiliated discounts to gain trust.

Even if you get your money back through a chargeback, the process takes time and can be stressful. For lower-income shoppers dependent on assistance programs like SNAP, being scammed can mean losing access to essential food funds. (The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services recently announced automatic blocks on high-risk SNAP transactions to combat this.) Prevention is far easier than recovery.

What Readers Can Do

Recognize Common Scams

  • Fake websites: Look for subtle misspellings in the URL (e.g., “amaz0n.com” vs. “amazon.com”). Check that the site uses HTTPS, though that alone isn’t a guarantee of safety.
  • Phishing emails: Genuine order confirmations will reference specific items you bought. Generic “your order is delayed” messages asking you to click a link to “verify payment” are almost always scams.
  • Too-good-to-be-true deals: A 70% discount on a brand-new electronics model from a site you’ve never heard of is a red flag.
  • Pressure tactics: Scammers often say “limited stock” or “offer expires in 30 minutes” to make you act without thinking.
  • Unusual payment requests: Legitimate sellers accept credit cards and services like PayPal. Cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or gift cards are often used by scammers because they cannot be reversed.

Verify a Seller Before You Buy

  • Search the store name plus “scam” or “review.” If you see multiple complaints about non-delivery or poor quality, steer clear.
  • Look for a physical address and a working customer service phone number. Call or email with a question first and judge the response.
  • Use a credit card for online purchases—credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards or other methods.
  • Check the Better Business Bureau and read user reviews on independent sites (not just the testimonials on the merchant’s homepage).

Protect Yourself Day-to-Day

  • Enable two-factor authentication on your email and shopping accounts. If a hacker gets your password, they still won’t get in.
  • Keep your browser, operating system, and antivirus software updated. Many scams rely on exploiting old vulnerabilities.
  • Monitor your bank and credit card statements regularly. Report any unauthorized charges immediately.

What to Do if You’ve Been Scammed

  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer to dispute the charge and ask for a chargeback.
  • Change the passwords on any accounts you may have shared, especially if you used the same password elsewhere.
  • Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  • If you are a veteran or military family member, also inform the VA or your service’s fraud hotline.
  • Place a fraud alert on your credit reports by contacting one of the three major bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion).

The key is to act quickly. The longer you wait, the harder it is to recover funds or stop identity misuse.

Sources

  • VA News (.gov): “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping” (January 28, 2026)
  • Federal Trade Commission: Consumer advice on online shopping scams
  • Ohio Department of Job and Family Services: High-risk SNAP transactions automatically blocked (May 2026)

This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Scam tactics evolve, so always verify with current official sources when in doubt.