How to Spot Online Shopping Scams: Practical Advice for Safer Buying

Every time you click “buy now,” there’s a small chance you’re handing your money to a criminal instead of a legitimate seller. Online shopping scams are nothing new, but they keep evolving. Government agencies like the VA and FDIC regularly issue warnings because the schemes are persistent and often convincing. The advice they give isn’t just for veterans or military families—it applies to anyone who shops online.

Here’s a look at what’s happening, why it matters, and what you can do to protect yourself.

What’s Happening

Scammers are using a growing number of tricks to steal money and personal information from online shoppers. Common tactics include fake websites that mimic well-known retailers, phishing emails that appear to be from delivery companies, and social media ads offering huge discounts on popular products. In some cases, criminals set up fake banks or payment portals—something the FDIC warned about in a 2024 alert.

Government sources like VA News have published several articles reminding people to watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping, especially during high-traffic periods like holidays. But these warnings are relevant year-round. The scams don’t take a break, and neither should your vigilance.

Why It Matters

The stakes go beyond losing a few dollars on a purchase that never arrives. Online shopping scams can lead to identity theft, unauthorized withdrawals from bank accounts, and long-term damage to your credit. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers reported losing more than $8.8 billion to fraud in 2022, with online shopping scams being one of the top categories.

Victims often feel embarrassed, but there’s no reason to be—scammers are skilled at making everything look legitimate. The best defense is knowing what to look for and having a plan if something goes wrong.

What You Can Do

Recognize the Red Flags

  • Unrealistic prices. If a deal seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is. A brand-new laptop for 90 percent off? That’s a scam.
  • Urgency and pressure. Scammers often say “limited stock” or “offer expires in 24 hours” to push you into a quick decision.
  • Poor grammar and odd URLs. Legitimate companies proofread their websites. Misspellings, strange domain extensions, or slightly altered brand names (like “amaz0n” instead of “amazon”) are warning signs.
  • Requests for unusual payment. Gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency are favorites among scammers because they’re hard to trace and nearly impossible to reverse.

Shop Safely

  • Use a credit card or a trusted payment service like PayPal or Apple Pay. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards or bank transfers.
  • Research the seller. Search for reviews, check the Better Business Bureau, and look up the company’s physical address and phone number. If you can’t find any independent information, be cautious.
  • Stick with secure websites. The URL should start with “https://” and show a padlock icon. Avoid entering payment details on sites that lack encryption.
  • Enable two-factor authentication on your online accounts, especially for email and payment apps. It adds a second layer of security.

What to Do If You Think You’ve Been Scammed

  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately. They can freeze your account and start a dispute.
  • Change your passwords for any accounts you used, especially if you reused the same password elsewhere.
  • Report the scam. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and, if applicable, report the fraudulent website or ad to the platform hosting it.
  • Monitor your accounts for unusual activity over the next few weeks. Identity theft can take time to surface.

Sources

  • VA News. “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping.” U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, January 2026.
  • FDIC. “Scammers and Fake Banks.” Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, August 2024.
  • Federal Trade Commission. “New FTC Data Show Consumers Reported Losing Nearly $8.8 Billion to Scams in 2022.” February 2023.

Staying safe while shopping online isn’t about being paranoid—it’s about being prepared. Trust your instincts, take a few extra seconds to verify a seller, and remember that the best deals are often the ones that don’t exist.