How to Recognize and Avoid Online Shopping Scams

Online shopping has never been more convenient, but it has also become a hunting ground for scammers. According to the FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report, Americans lost over $12.5 billion to cybercrime last year, with online shopping fraud among the top categories reported. In a recent alert, the Department of Veterans Affairs echoed this warning, urging shoppers to watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping. The advice applies to everyone, not just veterans.

Whether you buy gifts during the holidays or simply order household items year‑round, knowing how to spot the latest tricks can save you money and stress.

What Happened

Scammers are constantly refining their tactics, but most online shopping fraud falls into a few familiar patterns.

  • Phishing emails and texts claiming suspicious purchases. You receive a message that looks like it’s from Amazon, PayPal, or your bank, saying an unusual transaction was detected. The goal is to get you to click a link, enter your login credentials, or call a fake support number. The Federal Trade Commission has repeatedly warned about these “suspicious purchase” texts – they are almost always scams.

  • Fake websites that mimic real stores. Fraudsters register domains that look nearly identical to well‑known retailers (e.g., “amaz0n‑deals.com”) and offer deep discounts on popular items. If you enter payment information, the site either steals your card details or sends you a cheap counterfeit item – or nothing at all.

  • Too‑good‑to‑be‑true deals on social media. Ads on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok may promote blowout sales for luxury goods, electronics, or designer clothing. Many of these sellers have no real inventory; they collect payments and disappear.

  • Impersonation of brands and customer service. Scammers may call or email pretending to be from a company’s customer support, claiming your order has an issue and asking for your credit card number to “reprocess” it.

A VA News article published in January 2026 specifically highlights these risks and reminds shoppers to verify any unsolicited communication before taking action.

Why It Matters

Online shopping scams are not just about losing a few dollars on a fake watch. They can lead to identity theft, drained bank accounts, and months of cleanup.

The FBI notes that older adults and military veterans are frequently targeted, but the scams affect consumers of all ages. The rise of artificial intelligence has also made phishing messages more convincing – they can mimic a company’s tone and branding almost perfectly.

Because scammers are constantly adapting, a general awareness from last year may be outdated. That is why government agencies like the FTC and FBI regularly update their alerts, and why a fresh reminder from VA News is valuable: it reaffirms the core principles of safe online shopping that still work.

What Readers Can Do

You do not need special software or technical knowledge to protect yourself. These straightforward habits make a real difference.

  1. Pause before you click. If you receive an unexpected text or email about an order, do not click any links. Go directly to the retailer’s website – type the address yourself – and check your account or order history.

  2. Verify the seller before buying. If you are shopping on a site you have never used, search for reviews outside the site itself. Look for contact information and a physical address. A legitimate business will have a verifiable presence.

  3. Pay with a credit card, not a debit card or gift card. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection under federal law. Scammers often insist on payment via wire transfer, prepaid debit cards, or gift card codes – those are red flags.

  4. Check the URL carefully. Look for subtle misspellings or extra characters. Secure sites should have “https://” in the address bar, but that alone is not a guarantee – some scam sites also use HTTPS.

  5. Enable two‑factor authentication on your shopping accounts and email. This adds a second layer of security even if your password is compromised.

  6. If you believe you have been scammed, act fast.

    • Contact your bank or credit card issuer to dispute the charge and freeze the card.
    • Change the password for the account involved, and use a different password for other accounts.
    • Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
    • File a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.

Sources

  • FBI, “FBI Releases Annual Internet Crime Report,” May 2025
  • Federal Trade Commission, “Did you get a call or text about a suspicious purchase on Amazon? It’s a scam,” March 2024
  • VA News, “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping,” January 2026