Watch Out for Online Shopping Scams: Practical Tips from the VA

The convenience of online shopping comes with risks. Every year, fraudsters set up fake stores, send phishing emails, and advertise deals that seem too good to be true. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recently published guidance reminding shoppers—especially veterans and their families—to stay alert. Their message is straightforward: a few simple checks can save you money and protect your personal information.

What Happened

In January 2026, VA News released an article titled “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping.” The piece is part of a broader fraud awareness campaign that the VA has been running for years. It covers the most common online shopping scams, including fake websites that mimic legitimate retailers, phishing texts and emails that pretend to be from delivery companies or banks, and social media ads that lead to fraudulent checkout pages.

The VA’s advice is not new, but it’s worth repeating because these scams keep evolving. For example, the Iowa Department of Transportation warned about a text phishing scam in April 2025, and the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services announced in May 2026 that they would block high-risk transactions on SNAP cards. These are just a few signs that scammers are targeting shoppers across many channels.

Why It Matters

Online shopping fraud cost Americans hundreds of millions of dollars last year, and the numbers are rising. Veterans and military families can be especially vulnerable because scammers sometimes impersonate VA services or misuse military-related branding. A fake website that looks like a legitimate discount store might offer electronics at 80% off—but once you enter your credit card details, the money is gone and your card may be used elsewhere.

Phishing attempts are also getting harder to spot. A text message that says “Your package is delayed, click here to reschedule” might look exactly like a real shipping update. The link leads to a page that asks for your address, phone number, and payment info. The damage can happen in minutes.

The VA’s guidance matters because it comes from a trusted government source. Instead of vague warnings, they give concrete steps that anyone can follow.

What Readers Can Do

Here is a summary of the key recommendations from the VA and other consumer protection agencies.

Check the website carefully

  • Look for “https://” in the URL and a padlock icon. This indicates the connection is encrypted, but it is not a guarantee of safety. Scammers can get fake SSL certificates.
  • Search for the store’s name plus “scam” or “review” to see if other shoppers have reported problems.
  • Watch for poor grammar, missing contact information, or a domain name that is slightly misspelled (like “amaz0n.com” instead of “amazon.com”).

Be skeptical of unbelievable deals

If a price is 70% lower than anywhere else, ask yourself why. Scammers lure shoppers with too-good-to-be-true discounts. Legitimate sales usually have reasonable markdowns.

Use a credit card, not a debit card

Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection. If a purchase turns out to be a scam, you can dispute the charge. Debit cards, by contrast, pull money directly from your bank account, and recovering those funds can take longer.

Avoid unusual payment methods

Scammers often ask for payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. These methods are nearly impossible to reverse. If a seller insists on one, walk away.

Watch for phishing texts and emails

  • Do not click links in unsolicited messages. Instead, go directly to the retailer’s website or tracking portal.
  • Hover over links to see the real destination before clicking.
  • Be wary of messages that create a false sense of urgency, like “Your account will be closed in 24 hours.”

What to do if you suspect you have been scammed

  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately. They can block the transaction and issue a new card.
  • Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  • If you are a veteran or family member, you can also report to the VA’s fraud hotline or your local VA office.
  • Change passwords for any accounts you may have used on the fraudulent site.

The VA’s “Shopping for the real deal” article from December 2024 offers additional tips, and the International Fraud Awareness Week piece from November 2024 covers emerging scams targeting veterans. Reading these can help you stay current.

Sources

  • “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping,” VA News, January 28, 2026.
  • “Shopping for the real deal,” VA News, December 10, 2024.
  • “International Fraud Awareness Week: Protecting Veterans from emerging scams,” VA News, November 20, 2024.
  • “Iowa DOT warns consumers of text phishing scam,” Iowa Department of Transportation, April 3, 2025.
  • “High Risk Transactions to Be Automatically Blocked on All SNAP Cards,” Ohio Department of Job & Family Services, May 12, 2026.

Online shopping is convenient, but it pays to be careful. A few minutes of checking can save you from a lot of trouble.