Online shopping scams in 2026: What to watch for and how to protect yourself

Buying things online has never been more convenient—or more risky. According to a January 2026 warning from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA News), scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to trick shoppers. The FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report, released earlier this year, showed that online shopping scams accounted for over $350 million in losses nationally, with the average victim losing $1,200. And those numbers are likely underreported.

If you shop online—and most of us do—you need to know what’s changed and how to keep your money and personal information safe.

What happened

In late January 2026, the VA News published an article titled “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping,” warning veterans and the general public about a surge in scam websites, phishing emails, and fake customer service lines that impersonate government agencies, banks, and major retailers. The FDIC also issued a separate alert about “scammers and fake banks,” noting that fraudsters are creating convincing fake banking websites and phone numbers to steal login credentials and account information.

These are not isolated reports. Multiple consumer protection agencies have noted a sharp rise in AI-generated fake storefronts that look nearly identical to legitimate sites. Scammers are using tools to clone product pages, copy customer reviews, and even create realistic-looking “trust seals” that don’t exist.

Why it matters

When you shop on a fake site or respond to a phishing email, you risk more than losing the price of a product. Scammers often steal your credit card number, home address, phone number, and other personal data that can be used for identity theft. Once your information is out there, it can be sold on the dark web or used to open accounts in your name.

The FDIC explicitly warns: “Never share personal or financial information in response to an unsolicited request, whether by phone, email, or text.” Yet many shoppers still click links in emails promising “order confirmation” or “suspicious account activity” from retailers they’ve never used.

What you can do

You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to stay safe. Here are concrete steps that work in 2026:

1. Check the URL before you buy
Look for misspellings, extra words, or unusual domain endings (like .shop or .biz when the official site uses .com). A real company’s website address is usually straightforward. If the URL has numbers or hyphens in odd places, that’s a red flag.

2. Verify the “About” and “Contact” pages
A legitimate store will have a physical address, a working phone number, and a clear return policy. Copy the address into a search engine to see if it belongs to a real building. If the only contact method is a web form, be cautious.

3. Pay with a credit card or a payment service
Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards, bank transfers, or gift cards. Services like PayPal or Apple Pay add an extra layer because they don’t share your card number with the merchant. Never wire money to someone you don’t know.

4. Watch for deals that seem too good
If a new designer jacket is 90% off on a site you’ve never heard of, it’s almost certainly a scam. Scammers rely on urgency and low prices to override your caution. Pause and ask: “Does this make sense?”

5. Be skeptical of unsolicited emails and texts
Phishing messages often use generic greetings like “Dear Customer” and create fake urgency (“Act now to avoid account closure”). Don’t click links inside these messages. Instead, open a new browser tab and go directly to the company’s official website.

6. Use two-factor authentication on shopping accounts
Even if a scammer gets your password, two-factor authentication can stop them. Enable it on your email, payment apps, and any store accounts that store your payment info.

7. Monitor your bank and credit card statements
Set up transaction alerts so you’re notified of every charge. If you see something suspicious, report it immediately. The sooner you act, the better your chance of getting your money back.

What to do if you think you’ve been scammed

  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer right away. They can stop payments, reverse charges, and issue a new card.
  • Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  • If you shared sensitive information (like your Social Security number), consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with the three major credit bureaus.
  • Change passwords on any accounts you may have used on the fake site, and enable two-factor authentication where possible.

No single step is foolproof, but together they make you a much harder target. As the VA News article put it, “the best defense is staying informed and trusting your instincts.” If something feels off, it probably is.

Sources

  • VA News (January 2026): Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping
  • FDIC (August 2024): Scammers and Fake Banks
  • VA News (December 2024): Shopping for the real deal