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. ...
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 and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: A Practical Guide Online shopping has become a routine part of life, but scammers are getting better at mimicking legitimate stores, emails, and payment portals. Government agencies—including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)—have recently issued warnings about the growing number of online shopping scams. This guide distills the key red flags and practical steps you can take to protect yourself, based on official advice from these sources. ...
How to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before You Lose Money Online shopping has never been easier or more convenient, but it has also never been riskier. Scammers are constantly refining their tactics, and no one is immune — not even those who consider themselves tech-savvy. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) have both issued warnings in recent months about the growing sophistication of online shopping fraud. This article distills their guidance into practical steps you can take today. ...
Online shopping scams to watch and simple ways to avoid them If you’ve ever clicked “buy” on a deal that looked too good to be true, only to receive nothing — or a knockoff — you’re not alone. A recent Pew Research Center survey found that about one in three U.S. adults have experienced an online shopping scam. That’s roughly 33 percent of online shoppers. ...
Nearly 1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams – How to Protect Yourself Online shopping has never been more convenient, but it also carries a risk that many people underestimate. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, about one in three Americans say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That’s a striking number, and it underscores the need for consumers to recognize scams before they cost them money—or their personal information. ...
How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Keep Your Money Safe Online shopping scams have become more common and more convincing. Fake websites, phishing emails, and fraudulent payment requests appear regularly. A January 2026 article from VA News warns veterans and the general public to stay alert, especially after holiday spikes, but scams happen year-round. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has also highlighted fake bank scams that target shoppers. This guide covers what’s happening, why it matters, and what you can do to stay safe. ...
Online Shopping Scams: What to Watch For and How to Protect Yourself If you shop online—and most of us do—you’ve probably come across a deal that seemed too good to be true. Maybe an email offered 80% off a popular brand. Or a website listed a hard-to-find item at half the usual price. These can be signs of a scam. And the problem is not going away. ...
How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Tips from the VA Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts scammers looking to steal your money or personal information. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recently issued a reminder to stay vigilant, and the advice applies to anyone buying goods or services on the internet. Whether you’re a veteran or just someone trying to snag a good deal, knowing the common tactics used by fraudsters can save you a lot of trouble. ...