Fraud Prevention

1 in 3 Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam – Here’s How to Avoid It A recent survey from the Pew Research Center reveals that roughly one in three Americans has experienced an online shopping scam. That’s a startling figure—especially if you shop online regularly, as most of us do. The study, published in November 2025, found that about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them, and younger adults are particularly likely to encounter scams through social media ads and influencer promotions. ...

Don’t Get Tricked: How to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before You Buy Online shopping has become second nature for most of us. A few clicks, a payment, and a package arrives days later. But that convenience also creates openings for scammers. Fake websites, phishing emails, and too-good-to-be-true deals are more common than many shoppers realize. According to the FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report, online shopping fraud continues to climb, especially after holiday seasons and major sales events. The good news is that most scams can be avoided with a few simple checks before you hit “buy.” ...

Online Shopping Scams: How to Spot Them and Stay Safe Introduction Online shopping has become a routine part of life for most Americans, but it also comes with risks. According to a recent alert from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, scammers increasingly target shoppers through fake websites, phishing emails, and social media ads that mimic legitimate retailers. The FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report, released in May 2025, shows that shopping-related fraud continues to rise, with losses totaling hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Whether you’re buying holiday gifts, everyday essentials, or services as a military family using VA benefits, understanding how these scams work is the first line of defense. ...

Online Shopping Scams: How to Spot Them and Protect Yourself The convenience of buying everything from groceries to electronics online has made shopping easier than ever. But that same convenience also opens the door for scammers. A recent article from VA News (.gov) reminds us that online shopping scams remain a persistent threat, and the advice applies to everyone, not just the military community. Knowing what to look for can mean the difference between a good deal and a costly mistake. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: A Practical Guide Online shopping has become a routine part of life for most consumers, but alongside its convenience comes a steady rise in scams. Fraudsters create convincing fake websites, send phishing emails disguised as order confirmations, and advertise deals that are simply too good to be true. Recent warnings from organizations like the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Federal Trade Commission, and the FBI highlight that these threats are growing more sophisticated. The good news is that you don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to protect yourself. A few straightforward habits can make a significant difference. ...

1 in 3 Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam – Here’s How to Stay Safe If you’ve ever clicked “Buy Now” on a deal that seemed too good to be true, only to receive nothing or a cheap counterfeit, you’re far from alone. According to a 2025 survey by the Pew Research Center, about one-third of U.S. adults say they’ve experienced an online shopping scam. That’s roughly 33% of American consumers who have lost money, had their personal information stolen, or been tricked into buying from a fraudulent seller. ...

1 in 3 Americans Have Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam: How to Protect Yourself If you shop online, the odds are not in your favor. According to a recent Pew Research Center study published in November 2025, roughly one-third of U.S. adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That’s not a niche problem—it’s a common part of modern consumer life. And the numbers are worth paying attention to, not because they’re alarming for their own sake, but because they point to patterns you can protect yourself against. ...

Online Shopping Scams: How to Spot Them and Shop Safely The convenience of ordering almost anything online has made scams more common—and more convincing. According to a recent warning from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, scammers are continuously refining their tactics, using fake websites, phishing emails, and social media ads to trick shoppers into handing over money and personal information. The FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report noted that losses from online shopping fraud reached hundreds of millions of dollars last year, and the numbers are climbing. ...

1 in 3 Americans Hit by an Online Shopping Scam: How to Protect Yourself A recent Pew Research Center survey found that about a third of U.S. adults say they’ve personally experienced an online shopping scam. That’s not a small fringe problem — it’s something that touches millions of households every year. Whether you’ve been scammed yourself or just worry about it, knowing how these scams work is the first step to staying safe. ...

Nearly 1 in 3 Americans Have Experienced an Online Shopping Scam: What to Watch For Introduction If you’ve ever clicked a too-good-to-be-true deal on social media or received an email about a package you didn’t order, you’re far from alone. According to a recent survey from the Pew Research Center, about a third of U.S. adults say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s roughly 80 million people. With holiday shopping already underway and more purchases migrating to phones and apps, the risk isn’t going away. This article walks through what the data shows and what you can actually do to avoid becoming the next victim. ...