Online Shopping Scams Are Everywhere—Here’s How to Stay Safe

Online Shopping Scams Are Everywhere—Here’s How to Stay Safe

The convenience of buying almost anything with a click has a downside: scammers have gotten very good at setting up fake storefronts, sending phishing emails, and luring shoppers into handing over payment details or personal information. Official guidance from .gov sources—including a recent VA News article and the Federal Trade Commission—offers practical steps to recognize and avoid these threats. Whether you’re a veteran, a caregiver, or just someone trying to get a good deal, knowing what to look for before you hit “buy” can save you money and headaches.

What happened

In January 2026, VA News published a straightforward advisory titled “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping.” It walks readers through the most common tactics scammers use, the red flags to watch for, and what to do if you think you’ve been taken. The article is part of a broader effort by government agencies to keep consumers informed about evolving fraud schemes, especially during high-traffic shopping periods. Similar warnings have appeared from the FTC and other state agencies, underscoring that this isn’t an isolated issue—it’s a persistent, growing problem.

Why it matters

Online shopping scams are not just about losing the cost of a single item. They can lead to compromised credit card numbers, identity theft, and the draining of bank accounts. According to the FTC, consumers reported losing more than $8.8 billion to fraud in 2022, and a significant slice of that came from online shopping scams. Veterans and older adults can be especially vulnerable because scammers sometimes impersonate government agencies or use fake military discounts to build trust. Staying safe online shopping is not about being paranoid—it’s about applying a few simple checks that cost you almost no time and can prevent lasting damage.

What readers can do

Here are the concrete steps recommended by the VA and the FTC to protect yourself when shopping online:

1. Verify the seller before you pay. If you’re on a site you don’t know, look for contact information, a physical address, and customer reviews from independent sources. Scammers often create professional-looking sites that disappear after a few sales. Check whether the URL uses “https” and a padlock icon—though this alone does not guarantee legitimacy, it’s a basic hygiene step.

2. Be suspicious of deals that seem too good to be true. Deep discounts on high-demand items, especially electronics or luxury goods, are a common lure. Criminals know that urgency and greed override caution. If the price is 80% off retail and the site asks for payment by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency, it is almost certainly a scam.

3. Use a credit card, not a debit card or direct bank transfer. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protections under federal law. Debit cards may expose your checking account directly. The FTC recommends that if you have to use a debit card, treat it like cash and monitor your statement closely.

4. Avoid shopping on public Wi-Fi without a VPN. Open networks in coffee shops or airports can be intercepted by attackers. If you must shop on the go, consider using your phone’s cellular data or a trusted VPN.

5. Watch out for phony shipping and payment confirmations. After placing an order, double-check any email claiming to be from the retailer. Scammers send fake “order confirmation” or “delivery issue” links that try to steal your password or install malware. Go directly to the retailer’s website to track your order, never click the link in the email.

6. If you suspect you’ve been scammed, act quickly. Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to freeze the compromised account. File a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If you’re a veteran and the scam involves a VA benefit (for example, a fake VA discount site), notify the VA’s Office of Inspector General. Also consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports at annualcreditreport.com.

7. Keep your software and devices updated. While not specific to shopping, running the latest versions of your browser and operating system closes security holes that scammers can exploit.

Sources

• VA News: “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping” (January 28, 2026).
• Federal Trade Commission: “Spot Health Insurance Scams” (December 2, 2025) and general consumer advice at consumer.ftc.gov.
• Ohio Department of Job and Family Services: “High Risk Transactions to Be Automatically Blocked on All SNAP Cards” (May 12, 2026) – related example of agency fraud prevention.
• VA News: “Shopping for the real deal” (December 12, 2024) and “Navigating holiday shopping risks when shopping online” (November 28, 2024).

Staying safe online shopping doesn’t require advanced technical skills. It mostly requires pausing for a moment, checking a few details, and remembering that if an offer feels twisted, it probably is. The official .gov advice is free, updated, and written to be followed—take a few minutes to read it, and you’ll be far less likely to become a statistic.