Why More Shoppers Are Ignoring Scam Warnings—and How to Spot the Real Red Flags

A recent report from KnowBe4, a security awareness training firm, highlights a worrying pattern: online shoppers are increasingly brushing off the very warnings that could protect them. The report, published in June 2026, found that a growing number of consumers ignore clear signs of fraud—misspelled URLs, demands for immediate payment, and suspiciously low prices—especially during high-pressure sales events.

This isn’t a case of people being careless. It’s a reflection of how modern shopping psychology collides with evolving scam tactics.

What happened

KnowBe4’s research tracked user responses to simulated phishing and scam scenarios. The key finding: shoppers are now more likely to click through or dismiss security prompts than they were a year ago. The report doesn’t specify exact percentages, but the trend is consistent across multiple industries, with retail and e-commerce seeing the steepest drop in caution.

Scammers have adapted. Instead of obvious fake websites, they now clone legitimate storefronts, send emails that perfectly mimic order confirmations, and use urgency—like “limited stock” or “flash sale ending in 5 minutes”—to short-circuit your better judgment.

Why it matters

Three psychological factors explain why smart people fall for these tricks.

Scarcity and urgency. When a deal seems about to vanish, your brain’s fight-or-flight response kicks in. You stop reading the fine print and start clicking. Scammers know this and deliberately create time pressure to prevent you from checking the domain name or verifying the sender.

Cognitive load. Shopping itself requires mental energy—comparing prices, reading reviews, deciding on sizes. When you’re juggling multiple tabs and a deadline, you take shortcuts. A warning banner that might stop you on a quiet Wednesday disappears on Black Friday.

Familiarity bias. If an email comes from a name you recognize—Amazon, PayPal, your bank—you trust it. Scammers exploit this by spoofing real brand logos and using “from” addresses that look close enough. The warning signs are there (a slight typo in the domain, a generic greeting), but familiarity overrides your skepticism.

The result: fake sites, phishing emails, and too-good-to-be-true deals are working better than ever.

What readers can do

You don’t need to avoid online shopping. You just need a short mental checklist before you hit “buy” or “click.”

Check the URL before you log in.
A real Amazon page ends in “.amazon.com,” not “.amaz0n-deals.com.” If you’re redirected from an email, don’t click—type the store’s address yourself.

Look at the sender’s email address.
Hover over the sender name (on desktop) or tap and hold (on mobile). Genuine companies send from domains they own—like “@paypal.com.” Anything with extra characters or free email services (Gmail, Yahoo) is a red flag.

Watch for urgent, vague language.
“Verify your account now or it will be closed.” “You missed a delivery—reschedule immediately.” Scammers want you to act before you think. Legitimate companies rarely demand action in minutes.

Examine the deal for realism.
A brand-new PlayStation for $99? A luxury handbag at 90% off? If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Check the price against other retailers, and look up the seller’s reputation on independent review sites.

Use a credit card, not a debit card.
Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection. If you do get scammed, you can dispute the charge. Debit cards pull money directly from your account and are harder to recover.

If you suspect you’ve already clicked or paid

Act quickly.

  1. Change your passwords. Start with the account you entered on the fake site, then any account that uses the same password.
  2. Contact your bank or card issuer. Tell them you may have been compromised. They can freeze the card, reverse charges, and monitor for fraud.
  3. Monitor your statements. Look for small test charges—scammers often start with a dollar amount to see if the card works.
  4. Report the scam. File a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or your country’s equivalent consumer protection agency.

Convenience and caution can coexist

The KnowBe4 report is a reminder that safe shopping habits need regular refreshing—not because you’re careless, but because the tactics keep changing. A deliberate pause before each purchase, a glance at the URL, and a skeptical eye on urgency go a long way. You don’t have to sacrifice speed for safety; just add a few seconds of verification to your routine.

Sources:
KnowBe4. “Report: Online Shoppers Increasingly Ignore Scam Warning Signs.” June 2026.
https://www.knowbe4.com/press (report available on KnowBe4 newsroom).
Additional context from FTC consumer alerts on phishing and online shopping scams.