Fraud Prevention

1 in 3 Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam: Here’s What You Can Do Intro New data from Pew Research Center shows that online shopping scams are far from rare. According to a survey published in November 2025, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That statistic alone is worth pausing over—especially if you regularly buy things through social media ads, secondhand marketplaces, or payment apps. The good news is that most of these scams follow patterns you can learn to recognize. Below is a breakdown of what the study found, why it matters, and the concrete steps you can take to avoid becoming part of the next statistic. ...

1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams: Here’s How to Avoid Them If you’ve ever clicked “buy” on a deal that seemed too good to be true, only to receive nothing—or worse, a knockoff—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 not a niche problem; it’s a widespread consumer risk that touches millions of households. ...

How to Outsmart Online Shopping Scams: A Practical Guide Online shopping has become a daily habit for many of us. But as convenience grows, so do the risks. The Department of Veterans Affairs recently published an article on its official news site reminding consumers to watch out for scams while shopping online. The advice applies to anyone buying goods or services over the internet, not just veterans. Here’s what you need to know and what you can do to stay safe. ...

1 in 3 Americans Has Experienced an Online Shopping Scam: What to Watch For If you’ve ever clicked “Buy Now” on a deal that seemed too good to be true, only to receive nothing—or something that looked nothing like the photo—you’re not alone. According to a November 2025 survey from the Pew Research Center, roughly one-third of U.S. adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That number is a reminder that scammers have gotten better at blending in. ...

1 in 3 Americans Report Online Shopping Scams: How to Protect Yourself If you’ve been the victim of an online shopping scam, you’re far from alone. According to the Pew Research Center, about one in three U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That statistic comes from a larger report on online scams and attacks, updated with shopping-specific data in November 2025. The numbers are a reminder that online fraud is not a rare edge case—it touches millions of ordinary people. ...

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. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Protect Yourself Online shopping has become a routine part of life, but it also attracts scammers looking to steal your money or personal information. Government agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation have issued warnings about evolving tactics. For example, a January 2026 VA News alert reminded veterans to watch out for scams while shopping online, and an FDIC consumer article from August 2024 described fake banks that appear legitimate but are merely fronts for fraud. ...

1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe Introduction New data from the Pew Research Center shows that online shopping scams are far more common than many people assume. According to a survey released in late 2025, about a third of Americans say they have experienced an online shopping scam. With holiday shopping season in full swing — and more people buying from unfamiliar websites, social media ads, and payment apps — the risk is higher than usual. This article explains what the Pew data tells us, what the most common scams look like, and what you can do to avoid becoming a statistic. ...

Watch Out for Online Shopping Scams: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts scammers who set up fake websites, send phishing emails, and trick buyers into handing over payment details or personal information. Recent alerts from government agencies—including the VA, FDIC, and FTC—confirm that these threats remain common. While no guide can guarantee complete safety, understanding how these scams work and following a few practical steps can reduce your risk significantly. ...

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. ...