Watch Out for These Online Shopping Scams – and How to Shop Safely

Online shopping has become a routine part of life, but scammers are constantly finding new ways to trick shoppers out of their money and personal information. Recent warnings from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) remind us that these threats are real—especially for veterans and others who receive government benefits. With the holiday season approaching and deals appearing year-round, it pays to know what to look for.

What’s happening

The VA has issued multiple alerts about scams targeting online shoppers. In January 2026, VA News warned about fake websites and phishing emails that mimic legitimate retailers. A December 2024 article highlighted the specific risks to veterans, noting that scammers often pose as VA representatives offering fake benefit increases or faster claim processing—all to steal login credentials or payment information.

These scams aren’t limited to veterans. Anyone shopping online can encounter fraudulent sites, social media ads leading to counterfeit goods, or emails claiming a package delivery failed. In many cases, the scammer asks for payment via gift cards or wire transfer, because those methods are nearly impossible to reverse.

Why it matters

The financial and personal cost of falling for a shopping scam can be serious. You might lose money, have your credit card number stolen, or even have your identity used to apply for loans or government benefits in your name. For veterans, a compromised VA.gov account could lead to unauthorized changes to direct deposit information, diverting disability or pension payments.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), consumers reported losing billions of dollars to fraud in recent years, with online shopping scams among the most common. The holiday season sees a spike, but scammers operate year-round.

What readers can do

Here are practical steps to reduce your risk, whether you’re a veteran, a family member, or anyone shopping online.

1. Know the red flags

  • Too-good-to-be-true prices. If a popular item is marked down 80% on a site you’ve never heard of, it’s likely a fake.
  • Urgency and pressure. Scammers often say “limited time offer” or “only one left” to rush you.
  • Unusual payment methods. Legitimate merchants don’t ask for gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
  • Poor website quality. Look for misspellings, blurry images, or a missing padlock icon in the address bar (though a padlock alone doesn’t guarantee legitimacy).

2. Secure your accounts

  • Use a strong, unique password for each shopping site. A password manager helps.
  • Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible, especially on your email and financial accounts.
  • Shop with a credit card rather than a debit card—credit cards offer better fraud protection.

3. Verify legitimacy before buying

  • If you receive an email with a deal, don’t click the link. Instead, open a browser and go directly to the retailer’s website.
  • Check for independent reviews of an unfamiliar seller. Search “[store name] scam” to see what others say.
  • For VA-related matters, remember that the VA will never ask for your personal information over email or text. Any communication urging you to click a link to “verify your benefits” is a phishing attempt.

4. What to do if you’ve been scammed

  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately. They can help stop payment and issue a new card.
  • Report the scam. The FTC’s complaint assistant (ReportFraud.ftc.gov) is a good starting point. Veterans can also report to the VA Office of Inspector General (VA OIG) at 1-800-488-8244.
  • Monitor your accounts. Check your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized charges for several months.
  • Change passwords. If you used the same password on other sites, change them too.

Staying ahead

Online shopping is convenient, but it requires a dose of caution. Scammers rely on distraction and urgency. Slowing down, double-checking offers, and using basic account security practices can go a long way. For veterans, staying alert to phishing that targets benefits is especially important. The VA publishes updates on scam warnings at news.va.gov, and the FTC provides ongoing consumer alerts at consumer.ftc.gov.

When in doubt, trust your instinct. If something feels off, it probably is.

Sources: VA News (January 2026, December 2024), Federal Trade Commission (FTC) complaint assistant.