How to Stay Safe from Online Shopping Scams: Tips from the VA

Online shopping is convenient, but it also opens the door to scammers who try to take advantage of shoppers. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recently issued a warning about the growing threat of online shopping scams, and their advice is worth heeding whether you’re a veteran, a family member, or anyone who buys goods online.

In this article, we’ll cover what kinds of scams are out there, how to recognize them, and what steps you can take to protect your personal and financial information.

What Happened

In late January 2026, the VA News office published an article titled “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping.” The piece followed similar warnings from other government agencies — for example, the Iowa Department of Transportation warned consumers about text phishing scams in April 2025, and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services announced in May 2026 that it would automatically block high-risk transactions on SNAP cards to prevent fraud. These alerts show that scammers are becoming more aggressive and creative, targeting people through email, text messages, fake websites, and social media ads.

The VA’s message is straightforward: scammers want your money, your personal data, or both, and they often impersonate trusted organizations — including the VA itself — to trick you.

Why It Matters

Online shopping scams are not just an inconvenience. They can lead to financial loss, identity theft, and long-term damage to your credit. The Federal Trade Commission reported that consumers lost over $8.8 billion to fraud in 2022, and online shopping scams were among the most common categories. With more people shopping online than ever — especially during holiday seasons or sales events — the risk continues to grow.

Veterans and their families are sometimes targeted specifically because scammers know they may have benefits or pensions that make them attractive marks. A fake email claiming to be from the VA about a payment issue or a special discount can look convincing, especially if it includes official-looking logos.

Recognizing the warning signs is the best defense.

What Readers Can Do

Here are practical steps you can take right now to shop more safely online, based on the VA’s guidance and common fraud prevention advice.

1. Know the common scam types

  • Phishing emails and texts: Messages that appear to come from a legitimate company or government agency, asking you to click a link, verify an account, or provide personal information. The link often leads to a fake login page designed to steal your credentials.
  • Fake e-commerce sites: Websites that mimic real stores, offering popular items at steep discounts. They may take your payment but never ship anything, or they may send counterfeit goods.
  • Social media scams: Ads or posts on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok that promote deals that seem too good to be true. Some are run by fake accounts or compromised pages.
  • Too-good-to-be-true deals: Scammers use urgency — “limited time offer,” “only 3 left” — to pressure you into buying without thinking.

2. Look for red flags

  • Unsolicited messages: If you receive an email or text about an order you didn’t place, or a request to update payment details, treat it with suspicion.
  • Poor grammar and odd URLs: Scam messages often contain spelling errors, awkward phrasing, or links that don’t match the official website (e.g., “va-gov.us” instead of “va.gov”).
  • Requests for unusual payment methods: Legitimate businesses accept credit cards or trusted payment platforms. Requests for wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency are major red flags.
  • Pressure to act immediately: Scammers want you to bypass your usual caution. If a seller insists you “act now” or risk losing the deal, pause and verify.

3. Verify before you buy

  • Check the website’s security: Look for “https://” and a padlock icon in the address bar. This doesn’t guarantee the site is legitimate, but it does mean your connection is encrypted.
  • Search for reviews and complaints: Use terms like “[store name] scam” or “[store name] review” to see if others have reported problems.
  • Contact the official company directly: If you receive an email from a company you do business with, don’t use the links in the email. Instead, open your browser and go to the company’s official website.
  • For VA-related communications: The VA says they will never ask for your Social Security number, credit card information, or banking details through email or text. If you get a suspicious message claiming to be from the VA, report it to the VA’s fraud hotline or forward it to the VA’s phishing email address (see sources below).

4. Protect your accounts

  • Use strong, unique passwords for each online store and your email account. A password manager can help you generate and store them.
  • Enable two-factor authentication whenever it’s offered. This adds an extra layer of security even if your password is stolen.
  • Monitor your bank and credit card statements regularly. Report any unauthorized charges immediately.

5. If you think you’ve been scammed

Act quickly:

  • Contact your bank or credit card company to dispute the charge and freeze your account if needed.
  • Change the password on any account that may have been compromised.
  • Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  • For scams involving the VA or claims related to veterans’ benefits, report to the VA Office of Inspector General at 1-800-488-8244 or online at va.gov/oig/hotline.
  • File a report with your local police, especially if you lost a significant amount of money.

Stay Informed and Share What You Know

Scammers adapt quickly, so staying up to date on new tactics is important. The VA and other government agencies regularly publish alerts. You can also sign up for consumer alerts from the FTC.

Share this information with family and friends, especially those who may be less familiar with online risks. A quick conversation could save someone from losing money or their identity.

Sources

  • VA News: “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping” (January 28, 2026)
  • Iowa DOT: “Iowa DOT warns consumers of text phishing scam” (April 3, 2025)
  • Ohio Department of Job & Family Services: “High Risk Transactions to Be Automatically Blocked on All SNAP Cards” (May 12, 2026)
  • VA News: “Shopping for the real deal” (December 10, 2024)
  • VA News: “International Fraud Awareness Week: Protecting Veterans from emerging scams” (November 20, 2024)
  • Federal Trade Commission – ReportFraud.ftc.gov
  • VA Office of Inspector General – va.gov/oig/hotline

This article is based on publicly available government announcements. For specific questions about your VA benefits or accounts, contact the VA directly through official channels.