Why Online Shoppers Are Falling for Scams More Often – and How to Stay Safe

Why Online Shoppers Are Falling for Scams More Often – and How to Stay Safe

Scam warnings appear on websites, in emails, and even in browser alerts, yet a growing number of online shoppers pay them no mind. A recent report from security awareness firm KnowBe4 suggests that the problem is getting worse: shoppers are not only encountering more scam attempts, but they are also increasingly dismissing the red flags that should stop them from clicking “buy.” Understanding why this happens—and what to do about it—can save you money, personal data, and a lot of frustration.

What Happened

In June 2026, KnowBe4 published a report examining how consumers respond to common online shopping scams. The report found that a significant portion of shoppers actively ignore warning signs such as suspicious domain names, unusual payment requests, or deals that seem too good to be true. Rather than pausing to verify, many proceed with the purchase.

The researchers identified several psychological factors behind this behavior. A sense of urgency—often created by countdown timers or “only 3 left” messages—pushes people to act quickly. Trust in familiar interfaces also plays a role: if a shopping page resembles Amazon or eBay, users lower their guard. And a general lack of awareness about how phishing schemes work means many shoppers simply do not recognize the danger.

Why It Matters

Scams targeting online shoppers are not new, but the consequences are becoming more severe. Stolen credit card details, compromised accounts, and identity theft are common outcomes. During peak shopping seasons—like the holiday rush or major sale events—the volume of fraudulent offers spikes. The KnowBe4 report indicates that as scammers refine their tactics, the old advice of “if it looks too good to be true, it probably is” no longer feels sufficient.

What makes the trend concerning is that the warning signs are often clear. Yet people override their own caution. The report suggests that the combination of psychological triggers and a lack of simple verification habits is driving the increase in ignored warnings.

What Readers Can Do

You do not need to become a cybersecurity expert to shop safely. A few small habits can make a large difference.

Pause before you pay. The single most effective step is to take a five-second break before entering payment details. Ask yourself: Did I come to this site intentionally? Is the deal plausible? Does the checkout page look polished, or are there typos and strange URLs?

Check the URL carefully. Scammers often register addresses that differ from the real site by one or two characters—for example, “amaz0n.com” instead of “amazon.com.” Look at the browser’s address bar. If you see a lock icon and the site starts with “https://,” that is a good sign, but not a guarantee. Be extra cautious if the URL contains unusual words or extra subdomains.

Use payment methods with built-in protections. Credit cards generally offer better fraud protection than debit cards or direct bank transfers. Services like PayPal (when used as a payment method rather than a simple money transfer) can also add a layer of separation between you and the seller.

Install an anti-phishing browser extension. Many browsers now include basic phishing protection, but dedicated tools—such as those from security companies or browser-based password managers—can flag suspicious links in real time. These tools are not foolproof, but they add another checkpoint.

Watch out for fake reviews. Scammers create entire fleets of bogus five-star reviews to make low-quality or nonexistent products look legitimate. Use third-party review checkers or look for patterns such as many reviews posted on the same day. If a product has dozens of glowing reviews but no critical ones, be skeptical.

Stick to official marketplaces when possible. While deals on social media or independent sites can be tempting, buying from established platforms like Amazon, Walmart, or eBay (and using their built-in buyer protection programs) reduces your exposure to outright fraud.

Sources

KnowBe4 Blog, “Report: Online Shoppers Increasingly Ignore Scam Warning Signs,” June 2026.