How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Keep Your Money Safe
Online shopping has become a daily habit for millions, but scammers have taken notice. Fraudsters are constantly refining their tactics to trick shoppers into handing over money and personal information. According to a recent alert from VA News (.gov), online shopping scams are surging, and the FBI’s latest Internet Crime Report confirms that reported losses from these scams reached record levels in 2025. Whether you’re a seasoned buyer or someone who rarely shops online, knowing how to identify and avoid these schemes is essential.
What’s Happening
The VA News article, published in January 2026, warns consumers to “watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping.” The alert highlights several common fraud types:
- Fake websites that mimic legitimate retailers, often with slight misspellings in the URL (e.g., “amaz0n.com” instead of amazon.com).
- Phishing emails disguised as order confirmations, shipping notifications, or special offers. These messages often contain links that lead to fake login pages designed to steal your credentials.
- Too-good-to-be-true deals on popular or high-demand items, such as electronics, designer goods, or rare collectibles. After payment, the item never arrives.
- Non-delivery scams, where the seller takes your money but never ships the product. This remains one of the most common online shopping frauds.
The FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report, released in May 2025, noted that Americans lost over $12.5 billion to cybercrime that year, with a significant portion tied to online shopping and auction fraud. The report also found that older adults are disproportionately targeted, though anyone can fall victim.
Why It Matters
Online shopping scams don’t just cost you money—they can also expose your credit card numbers, home address, and other personal data. Once stolen, that information can be used for identity theft or sold on the dark web. For veterans and military families, who are often targeted by scammers posing as charities or government agencies, the risk is especially high.
Even if you recover your money through a chargeback or bank dispute, the process can take weeks and requires proof of fraud. Prevention is far simpler than dealing with the aftermath. And as scammers adopt more sophisticated tools—like AI-generated fake reviews and lookalike social media ads—staying informed is the best defense.
What You Can Do
Based on guidance from the VA, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and other consumer protection agencies, here are practical steps to protect yourself:
1. Verify the seller before you buy.
Search the company’s name with words like “scam,” “complaint,” or “review.” Be skeptical of sites with no contact information or only a generic email address. Legitimate businesses have a physical address and a working phone number.
2. Check the website carefully.
Look for the padlock icon in the address bar and ensure the URL starts with “https://” (not just “http://”). But note: a padlock alone doesn’t guarantee the site isn’t fraudulent—it only means the connection is encrypted. Also, inspect the domain name for typos or unusual suffixes like “.shop” or “.xyz.”
3. Use safe payment methods.
Credit cards offer the strongest fraud protection under federal law. Avoid wire transfers, cryptocurrency, gift cards, and payment apps like Cash App or Venmo when dealing with unknown sellers. These methods are nearly impossible to reverse.
4. Be wary of deals that seem too good.
If an item is priced far below market value, it’s almost certainly a scam. Scammers exploit urgency (“Only 2 left!”) to bypass your judgment. Trust your gut.
5. Keep your devices and accounts updated.
Install updates for your operating system, browser, and antivirus software. Enable multi-factor authentication on your email and shopping accounts to add a layer of protection.
6. Know how to report fraud.
If you think you’ve been scammed, contact your bank or credit card company immediately. Then file a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Veterans can also report scams to the VA Office of Inspector General at VAOIG.gov. The more data law enforcement collects, the better they can track and shut down scam operations.
Sources
- VA News (.gov) – “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping” (January 28, 2026)
- FBI – 2024 Internet Crime Report (released May 13, 2025)
- Federal Trade Commission – Consumer Advice on Online Shopping Scams
By staying alert and following these steps, you can enjoy the convenience of online shopping without falling into a trap. Scammers rely on haste and distraction—so slow down, verify, and when in doubt, walk away.