Online Shopping Scams Are Surging — Here’s How to Protect Yourself

Introduction

Shopping online has become second nature, but during peak sales seasons the risks spike. A recent report from Belarus recorded 400 scam attempts in a single day, all linked to online shopping fraud. While that number comes from one country, it serves as a warning for shoppers everywhere: fraudsters are becoming more aggressive, and the holiday season is their busiest period.

What Happened

On May 12, 2026, Belarusian news outlet Belsat reported that cybersecurity monitors logged roughly 400 separate scam attempts related to online shopping in just 24 hours. The attacks ranged from fake storefronts to phishing emails pretending to be from delivery services. The volume is unusual for Belarus, but the tactics are not — similar surges have been documented in the US, UK, and across Europe, especially around major shopping events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Why It Matters

A spike of that size in a single day suggests organised campaigns are targeting ordinary shoppers, not just the technically naive. Scammers adapt to the moment: they copy legitimate retailers, create urgency with limited-time deals, and pressure you into paying outside normal checkout systems. Even cautious buyers can be fooled when the pressure is on to buy gifts quickly.

The consequences go beyond losing money on a single purchase. If you hand over payment details on a fake site, criminals may drain your bank account, steal your identity, or sell your information on darknet markets.

What Readers Can Do

You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to shop safely. A few habits can cut your risk significantly.

Before You Buy

  • Verify the seller. If you’re on an unfamiliar site, search for the business name plus “scam” or “review”. Look for complaints on sites like Trustpilot or Better Business Bureau. No track record is a red flag.
  • Check the URL carefully. Scammers create addresses that look real — amazzon-shop.com instead of amazon.com. Look for typos, extra hyphens, or unusual domain endings like .biz or .top.
  • Never pay by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency. These methods are nearly impossible to trace or reverse. Legitimate online stores accept credit cards or established payment processors like PayPal.
  • Be suspicious of deals that seem too good. A 90% off on a popular gadget is almost always a fake. If it looks like a mistake, it probably is.

While You Shop

  • Use a credit card where possible. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards. In many jurisdictions, you can dispute a charge and get your money back while the bank investigates.
  • Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your payment accounts and email. Even if a scammer gets your password, 2FA can block them.
  • Don’t click links in unsolicited emails or text messages. Go to the retailer’s website directly by typing the address into your browser. That simple step avoids some of the most common phishing traps.

If You Are Scammed

  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately. Tell them the transaction is fraudulent. They may be able to reverse it or issue a chargeback.
  • Change the passwords of any accounts you may have compromised. Use a password manager to generate strong, unique passwords.
  • Report the scam. In the US, file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). In the UK, report to Action Fraud. In many other countries, local consumer protection agencies accept reports. Even if you don’t recover your money, your report can help authorities shut down the scam.
  • Monitor your bank and credit card statements for unauthorised charges for the next few months.

Sources

  • Belsat (2026). Online shopping fraud leads as Belarusians report 400 scam attempts in one day.
    https://belsat.eu (article published May 12, 2026)
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Annual Internet Crime Reports (2023–2025).
    https://www.ic3.gov
  • Better Business Bureau. Scam Tracker Risk Report.
    https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker

Bottom line: Scams are getting more frequent and harder to spot, but you can stay ahead by slowing down, paying with credit, and verifying before you click. The Belarus figure is a reminder: if 400 attempts happen in one day in a small country, imagine how many hit global targets daily. Shop smart, not fast.