Consumer Protection

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: A Practical Guide Online shopping has become a routine part of life for most people, but it also attracts a steady stream of scams. Fraudsters impersonate legitimate sellers, banks, and government agencies to steal payment information, personal data, and even veteran benefits. Recent alerts from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the FDIC, and other sources show that the threat is persistent and evolving. This guide covers the most common online shopping scams, the warning signs to watch for, and concrete steps you can take to protect yourself—whether you’re a veteran using VA benefits or any other consumer. ...

1 in 3 Americans has been scammed while shopping online. Here’s how to avoid it. Pew Research Center released new data in late 2025 that puts a number on what many of us have suspected: about a third of American adults say they’ve personally experienced an online shopping scam. That’s roughly one out of every three people you know. The timing is especially relevant as holiday shopping ramps up and criminals sharpen their tactics. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Stay Safe Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts scammers who constantly update their tactics. Recent alerts from government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, remind us that fake websites, phishing emails, and even bogus banks are still common. This guide cuts through the noise and gives you practical ways to protect your money and personal information. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before They Steal Your Money Online shopping has become routine for most of us, but the convenience comes with a growing risk. Scammers are constantly refining their tactics, and government agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation have issued repeated warnings. Whether you’re a seasoned online buyer or someone who only shops occasionally, understanding the common signs of a scam can save you money and stress. ...

1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams: How to Protect Your Wallet A new report from the Pew Research Center confirms what many of us have likely suspected: online shopping scams are remarkably common. According to the study published November 19, 2025, about a third of U.S. adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That’s roughly 85 million people — and younger adults (18–29) are especially likely to report being targeted. ...

1 in 3 Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam: Here’s How to Stay Safe If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or paid for a product that turned out to be counterfeit, you’re far from alone. According to a November 2025 Pew Research Center survey, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s a large enough share to make the problem feel less like a rare misfortune and more like a routine hazard of modern life. The good news is that most of these scams follow recognizable patterns. Once you know what to look for, you can greatly reduce your chances of being the next victim. ...

How to Shop Online Without Getting Scammed: A Practical Guide Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts scammers. According to a January 2026 article from VA News, fraudulent websites, phishing emails, and too-good-to-be-true deals are becoming more common year-round. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and USA Today have also reported on fake bank schemes and text-message scams targeting consumers. This guide explains what is happening, why you should care, and what you can do to protect yourself. ...

1 in 3 Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam – Here’s How to Protect Yourself New Pew Research Center data shows the problem is widespread. Knowing what to look for can save you money and frustration. ...

Nearly One in Three Americans Has Experienced an Online Shopping Scam If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived—or received a knockoff that looked nothing like the photo—you’re far from alone. A new survey from the Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, found that about a third of U.S. adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams Each year, online shopping scams cost consumers hundreds of millions of dollars. The schemes grow more convincing, and recent alerts from government agencies confirm that fraudsters are finding new ways to target shoppers. Understanding how these scams work and what to do if you encounter one is the best way to protect yourself. ...