Stay Safe While Shopping Online: How to Spot and Avoid Scams

Online shopping has become a routine part of life for most people. But with every legitimate transaction, there are scammers trying to intercept your money or personal information. According to the FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report, consumers lost billions of dollars last year to various online fraud schemes, with shopping-related scams making up a significant share. The good news is that many of these crimes are preventable once you know what to look for.

What Happened: The Current Landscape of Online Shopping Scams

Government agencies continue to issue warnings about evolving scam tactics. The Department of Veterans Affairs recently reminded military families and older adults—who are often targeted—to watch out for fraud when shopping online. Common schemes include:

  • Phishing emails that look like order confirmations or shipping notices from major retailers.
  • Fake websites that mimic trusted brands, often with URLs that differ by just one letter.
  • Social media marketplace fraud, where sellers offer items at steep discounts but never ship them.
  • Package delivery scams that trick you into clicking a link to “reschedule” a delivery—and then steal your login or payment details.

The FBI report also highlighted a rise in “non-delivery” fraud, where consumers pay for goods that never arrive, and “credit card fraud” that occurs when a scammer obtains your card numbers through a fake checkout page.

Why It Matters

Falling for an online shopping scam can cost you more than just the price of an item. It can expose your credit card or bank account, lead to identity theft, and take weeks or months to resolve. Older adults and military families are particularly vulnerable because scammers often exploit trust or urgency—for example, posing as a charity supporting veterans or offering military-exclusive deals that seem too good to be true.

The financial impact is real. The FTC’s latest data shows that consumers aged 60 and older reported higher median losses than younger age groups in online shopping fraud cases. And for military families who may already be dealing with frequent moves or deployments, the added hassle of fraud can be especially stressful.

What Readers Can Do: Practical Steps to Protect Yourself

You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to shop safely. These habits will reduce your risk:

1. Stick to known retailers and check the URL.
Before you enter payment information, verify that the website address matches the official store. Look for “https://” and a padlock icon in the browser bar. But note that a padlock alone doesn’t guarantee legitimacy—it only means the connection is encrypted, not that the business is honest.

2. Be skeptical of unsolicited offers and extreme discounts.
If you receive an email or text about a “limited-time deal” that seems unrealistically low, treat it with suspicion. Scammers create urgency to prevent you from thinking it through. Instead, go directly to the retailer’s website by typing the address yourself, not by clicking the link in the message.

3. Use a credit card, not a debit card or gift card.
Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection under federal law. If a scammer uses your credit card, you can dispute the charge and typically get your money back. Debit cards have weaker protections, and once money is gone it can be harder to recover. Never pay for online purchases with gift cards—legitimate businesses do not ask for gift card payments.

4. Turn on transaction alerts and monitor your accounts.
Most banks and card issuers let you set up real-time alerts for any charge over a certain amount. Review your statements regularly, even for small purchases—scammers often test a stolen card with a tiny transaction first.

5. Keep your software and devices updated.
Outdated browsers or operating systems can have security holes that scammers exploit. Enable automatic updates on your computer and phone, and consider using a password manager to generate unique passwords for each shopping account.

6. Know how to report a scam.
If you suspect you’ve been scammed, act quickly. Contact your bank or credit card company to stop payment and change passwords on affected accounts. Then file a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and with your state’s consumer protection office. Military families can also report scams through their installation’s legal office or the MOAA scam alert system.

Conclusion

Online shopping scams are persistent, but they are not impossible to avoid. By staying cautious—especially when a deal sounds too good to be true—and following the basic protections outlined here, you can shop with greater confidence. The key is to slow down, verify before you pay, and know where to turn for help if something goes wrong.

Sources

  • VA News: “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping” (Jan 2026)
  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Consumer advice on shopping scams
  • FBI 2024 Internet Crime Report
  • MOAA: “Military Scams: How to Spot Them and Protect Your Community”