Online Shopping Scams: How to Spot Them and Stay Safe

Every year, more Americans shop online — and every year, scammers find new ways to trick them. According to the FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report, the total losses from online fraud exceeded $10.3 billion, with shopping scams among the most reported schemes. As seasonal shopping spikes create more opportunities for fraud, knowing how to recognize a scam can save you money and protect your personal information.

The advice that follows draws from government sources including the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the FBI, and the VA News. The core message from those agencies is straightforward: watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping.

What’s Happening: Common Types of Online Shopping Scams

Scammers use a handful of tried-and-tested tactics. The most common include:

  • Phishing emails and texts pretending to be from a well-known retailer. You may receive a message saying there’s a “problem with your Amazon order” or a “suspicious purchase” on your account. The message urges you to click a link or call a phone number. The FTC has issued a specific warning about these fake Amazon purchase notifications: they are a scam designed to steal your login credentials or financial information.

  • Fake websites and ads on social media. Fraudsters create convincing-looking online stores that offer popular products at steep discounts. After you pay, the item never arrives, or a cheap counterfeit shows up. These sites often vanish within weeks.

  • Too-good-to-be-true deals. Scammers lure shoppers with prices far below market value. The VA News has highlighted these “unbelievable” offers as a key red flag, especially during holiday shopping seasons.

Why It Matters

Beyond the direct financial loss, online shopping scams can lead to identity theft, unauthorized credit card charges, and long-term damage to your credit score. Many victims never recover their money. The FTC notes that scammers often ask for payment via gift cards or wire transfer — methods that are nearly impossible to reverse.

As the FBI’s 2024 report shows, losses are rising year after year. With artificial intelligence making phishing messages more realistic and fake websites harder to distinguish, the risk is higher than ever.

What You Can Do: Practical Safety Tips

You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to shop safely. Follow these steps recommended by the FTC, FBI, and VA:

  1. Verify the seller. If you’re shopping on a site you don’t know, search for reviews and complaints. Look up the business name plus “scam” or “complaint.” Check whether the site includes a physical address and customer service phone number you can verify.

  2. Check the URL. Look for “https://” and a padlock icon in your browser bar. But remember: a padlock alone does not guarantee a site is legitimate — it only means the connection is encrypted. Still, avoid sites that show “http://” without the “s.”

  3. Use a credit card, not a debit card or gift card. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection under federal law. Scammers frequently request payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. If a seller insists on those methods, walk away.

  4. Enable purchase alerts. Most banks and credit card issuers allow you to set up instant notifications for any transaction. This helps you catch unauthorized charges early.

  5. Do not click links in unsolicited messages. If you receive an email or text about a suspicious purchase, go directly to the retailer’s website by typing the address yourself. Do not call the phone number in the message — look up the official customer service number.

What to Do If You Fall Victim

If you believe you have been scammed, act quickly:

  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to dispute the charge and request a replacement card.
  • Change passwords for any accounts that may have been compromised.
  • Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  • File a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.
  • If you are a veteran or a military family member, the VA News recommends also notifying the VA’s Benefits Protection team if the scam involved your VA benefits.

Sources

  • Federal Trade Commission, “Did you get a call or text about a suspicious purchase on Amazon? It’s a scam” (2024)
  • FBI, 2024 Internet Crime Report (released May 2025)
  • VA News, “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping” (January 2026)
  • VA News, “Navigating holiday shopping risks when shopping online” (November 2024)

Staying safe online doesn’t mean avoiding online shopping altogether — it means staying alert, verifying before you pay, and knowing where to turn for help if something goes wrong. The guidance from government agencies is consistent: when in doubt, slow down, and never let a deal rush you into a decision you’ll regret.