Fraud Prevention

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. ...

1 in 3 Americans Have Been Scammed Shopping Online – Here’s How to Protect Yourself What the Pew data shows According to a 2025 survey from the Pew Research Center, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That figure means roughly 33 percent of U.S. adults have lost money, had their personal information stolen, or both while trying to buy something over the internet. The number has climbed in recent years, and the problem doesn’t show signs of slowing. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Practical Safety Tips Online shopping is convenient, but it also opens the door to scammers. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regularly publishes warnings about fraud targeting veterans—and much of that advice applies to everyone. Whether you’re buying a gift or everyday essentials, a few simple checks can keep your money and personal information safe. ...

Nearly One in Three Americans Has Been Scammed While Shopping Online – Here’s What You Need to Know If you’ve ever clicked “Buy Now” on a site that looked legitimate, only to receive nothing but a confirmation email and silence, you’re far from alone. According to new data from the Pew Research Center, roughly one in three Americans say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That’s a staggering number, and it’s worth paying attention to – not because you should stop shopping online, but because a few simple habits can dramatically cut your risk. ...

One in Three Americans Have Been Scammed While Shopping Online. Here’s What You Can Do. If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or clicked a link that turned out to be fake, you are far from alone. A new survey from 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. That’s roughly 33 percent of all American adults – a figure that should catch any regular shopper’s attention. ...

Over 30% of Americans Have Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam – Here’s How to Avoid It Intro If you shop online, you’re not alone in worrying about scams. A recent survey from the Pew Research Center found that roughly one in three U.S. adults has personally experienced an online shopping scam. That’s 32% of respondents, a figure that underscores just how common fraudulent schemes have become in the e-commerce landscape. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Stay Safe: A Practical Guide Introduction Online shopping scams are not going away. Every year—especially around major sales events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and holiday seasons—fraudsters ramp up their efforts. But the threat is year-round. Government agencies from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to the Department of Veterans Affairs have issued repeated warnings about fake storefronts, phishing emails, and deals that look too good to be true. This guide walks through what’s happening, why it matters, and what you can do to protect yourself. ...

1 in 3 Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam: How to Protect Yourself If you’ve ever clicked “buy” on a deal that seemed too good, only to receive nothing—or worse, a knockoff—you’re not alone. According to a November 2025 report from the Pew Research Center, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That figure cuts across age groups, income levels, and shopping habits. With the holiday season approaching, the chances of running into a scam only increase. ...

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. ...

Online Shopping Scams: What the VA and FDIC Want You to Know Online shopping has become a routine part of life for most Americans, including many who use VA benefits to purchase goods or services. But as more people shop from home, scammers have gotten better at creating fake websites, phishing emails, and fraudulent ads that look nearly identical to the real thing. In January 2026, VA News published a detailed warning urging shoppers to stay alert. Around the same time, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) released its own alert about scammers posing as legitimate banks. These aren’t isolated warnings—they reflect a broader pattern that affects anyone who buys online. ...