Online Shopping Scams Are Still Common: How to Recognize Them and Protect Yourself

Introduction

Every year, millions of Americans shop online for convenience and better deals. But scammers are just as active online as legitimate retailers. The Department of Veterans Affairs has repeatedly issued warnings about online shopping scams targeting veterans and their families, especially around holidays. These threats don’t disappear after the holiday season ends — they occur year-round. Knowing how to spot a scam and what to do if you fall for one can save you money, time, and stress.

What Happened

The VA News website has published several alerts in recent years warning about scams that specifically target veterans who receive benefits. One article, “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping,” highlights how fraudsters create fake websites, send phishing emails that look like they come from major retailers, and advertise too-good-to-be-true deals on social media. Another VA piece, “Shopping for the real deal,” explains that scammers often pretend to offer discounts on military-related products or services. A third article from December 2024, “Navigating holiday shopping risks when shopping online,” describes how criminals use urgency tactics such as “limited stock” or “48-hour flash sale” to push people into making impulsive purchases without verifying the seller.

These are not isolated incidents. According to the Federal Trade Commission’s 2025 Consumer Sentinel Network report, the agency received over 2.5 million fraud reports that year, and online shopping scams consistently rank among the top categories reported.

Why It Matters

Online shopping scams do more than just take your money. They can also harvest your personal and financial information — including credit card numbers, home addresses, and even Social Security numbers if the scam involves fake benefit-related offers. For veterans receiving VA benefits, scammers may pose as VA representatives offering benefit increases or exclusive discounts, tricking recipients into sharing their login credentials or direct deposit details.

Losing money to a scam is bad enough, but identity theft can cause problems that last for years. Victims may find unauthorized accounts opened in their name, their credit scores damaged, or their benefits redirected. Because scams often target vulnerable populations, including older adults and those managing health-related expenses, the consequences can be especially severe.

What Readers Can Do

Here are concrete steps you can take to avoid online shopping scams, based on VA guidance and general cybersecurity best practices.

Spot the Red Flags

  • Too-good-to-be-true prices. If a retailer is selling a new laptop for 80 percent off retail price, it is almost certainly a scam.
  • Suspicious URLs. Check the web address carefully. Scammers often use addresses that look like the real thing but contain extra words, misspellings, or different domain extensions (like .shop instead of .com).
  • No clear contact information. Legitimate online stores have a physical address, phone number, and customer service email. If you can’t find these or the only contact is a web form, be cautious.
  • Requests for unusual payment methods. Scammers often ask for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. These methods are nearly impossible to trace and recover. Credit cards offer better fraud protection.
  • Pressure to act fast. Messages that say “only 2 items left” or “offer expires in one hour” are designed to make you skip your usual checks.

Safe Shopping Practices

  • Use a credit card for online purchases. Under federal law, your liability for unauthorized charges is generally limited to $50, and many card issuers offer zero-liability policies.
  • Enable two-factor authentication on your email and financial accounts. This adds an extra layer of protection if your password is stolen.
  • Verify the seller before buying. If you find a product through a social media ad, search for the seller’s name plus the word “scam” to see if others have reported issues. Check the Better Business Bureau or read independent reviews.
  • Avoid shopping on public Wi-Fi. Use a secure, private network or a VPN when entering payment information.
  • Keep your devices and software updated. Security patches fix vulnerabilities that scammers can exploit.

If You Have Been Scammed

  1. Contact your bank or credit card company immediately. Explain that you believe you were the victim of a scam. They may be able to stop the payment or reverse the charge.
  2. Change your passwords for any accounts that may have been compromised. Use strong, unique passwords for each site.
  3. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC uses these reports to track trends and take action against fraudsters.
  4. File a report with your local police if you lost money or if your identity was stolen. You may need a police report to dispute fraudulent accounts.
  5. If you are a veteran, contact the VA’s fraud hotline at 1-833-388-7233 or visit VA.gov/fraudreport to report any attempted theft of benefits information.

Sources

  • VA News. “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping.” Published January 28, 2026.
  • VA News. “Shopping for the real deal.” Published December 10, 2024.
  • VA News. “Navigating holiday shopping risks when shopping online.” Published November 28, 2024.
  • VA News. “Online safety measures for the Veteran community.” Published December 18, 2024.
  • VA News. “Protect your benefits from scammers during the holiday season.” Published December 1, 2023.
  • VA News. “Protecting your benefits data from fraudsters.” Published January 30, 2025.
  • Federal Trade Commission. Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2025.

This article is for informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, readers should verify current scam warnings through official sources.