Consumer Protection

1 in 3 Americans Has Been Scammed Shopping Online – How to Protect Yourself If you shop online, the odds that you’ve run into a scam are higher than you might think. According to a July 2025 survey from the Pew Research Center, roughly one in three U.S. adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That number climbs among younger adults—those aged 18 to 29 report even higher exposure, likely because they spend more time on social media platforms where fraudulent listings and fake storefronts are common. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Protect Your Wallet Online shopping saves time and often money, but it also opens the door to scammers who set up fake stores, send phishing messages, or sell counterfeit goods. Recent alerts from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA News), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) remind us that these threats are persistent and evolve with seasonal trends. Knowing what to look for and how to respond can make the difference between a good deal and a costly mistake. ...

1 in 3 Americans Hit by an Online Shopping Scam: How to Protect Yourself If you’ve bought something online that never arrived, or paid for a product that turned out to be counterfeit, you’re far from alone. According to new data from the Pew Research Center published in November 2025, about one in three U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Practical Tips from the VA Online shopping offers convenience, but it also gives scammers a steady stream of opportunities. Fake websites, phishing emails, and too-good-to-be-true deals pop up constantly, and even careful shoppers can be caught off guard. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recently published guidance on this topic, and their advice is worth reviewing whether you’re a veteran, a military family member, or just someone who buys things online. ...

1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams: How to Protect Yourself A new survey from the Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, found that roughly one in three American adults (32%) say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That figure covers a wide range of incidents—from paying for goods that never arrived to clicking links that led to stolen credit card numbers. With online retail continuing to grow, these scams are not going away. Here’s what you need to know and how to reduce your risk. ...

How to spot online shopping scams and shop safely online Online shopping is convenient, but scammers know that too. Fake websites, phony deals, and payment fraud are common, and they can cost you money and personal information. The Department of Veterans Affairs recently published guidance specifically for veterans and their families, but the advice applies to anyone who shops online. Here’s what you need to know to avoid getting tricked. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Protect Yourself The Growing Problem of Online Shopping Scams Online shopping is convenient, but it also opens the door to scammers who set up fake websites, send phishing emails, and peddle counterfeit goods. Government agencies have been issuing regular warnings. In January 2026, the VA News (.gov) published an article titled “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping,” reminding consumers that fraudsters constantly adapt their tactics. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) also released a guide on scammers and fake banks, and the Fox News report on ID.me safety (May 2026) highlighted how identity verification tools can themselves become targets for scams. ...

1 in 3 Americans Has Fallen for an Online Shopping Scam – Here’s How to Avoid It What happened A new report from the Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, found that about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. The survey, part of Pew’s ongoing work on digital fraud, asked adults about various kinds of online scams. Shopping scams—where someone pays for goods that never arrive or are not as advertised—were among the most common. ...

1 in 3 Americans Has Been Scammed While Shopping Online – Here’s How to Stay Safe What Happened The Pew Research Center recently released data showing that about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That is not a small, isolated problem—it means that for every three people you know, at least one has likely lost money or had their personal information stolen while trying to buy something online. ...

Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Tips to Stay Safe and Spot Fake Deals Online shopping is convenient, but it also comes with risks. Every year, scammers set up fake websites, send phishing emails, and place fraudulent ads on social media to trick consumers out of their money and personal information. Recent alerts from government sources like the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Trade Commission remind us that these threats are not going away. This article explains the most common online shopping scams and offers practical steps you can take to protect yourself. ...