Fraud Prevention

Staying Safe While Shopping Online: Practical Tips to Avoid Scams Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts scammers looking to take your money or personal information. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, scams targeting shoppers—especially veterans and their families—are becoming more sophisticated. The good news is that you don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to protect yourself. A few simple habits can make a big difference. ...

Recognizing and Avoiding Online Shopping Scams: Practical Advice from the VA Online shopping has become routine for millions of Americans, but it also attracts fraudsters looking to steal payment details, personal information, or both. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has published guidance on how to shop safely, with advice that applies to any consumer—not just veterans. This article distills the key points from that government source and adds context from related VA publications. ...

Don’t get fooled: How to spot online shopping scams before you pay Scammers have become skilled at creating fake storefronts, sending convincing emails, and placing ads that look just like real deals. The result is that even careful shoppers can hand over money or personal details to someone who never intends to deliver a product. Government agencies like the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regularly issue reminders to stay alert. This guide outlines the most common tactics and what you can do to protect yourself. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams This Season and Beyond Online shopping has become a routine part of modern life, but it also attracts fraudsters looking to steal money and personal information. According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lose billions of dollars each year to online shopping fraud, and the methods scammers use keep evolving. The Department of Veterans Affairs has published guidance on staying safe, and the same principles apply to anyone shopping online. Knowing what to look for and how to respond can make the difference between a smooth transaction and a costly mistake. ...

One in Three Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam: Here’s 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 a knockoff product, you’re far from 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’s roughly 33% of the adult population—a number that should give any regular online shopper pause. ...

Nearly 1 in 3 Americans Hit by an Online Shopping Scam – How to Protect Yourself If you’ve ever clicked “buy” and later realized the website was fake, or paid for something that never arrived, you’re far from alone. According to a November 2025 study from the Pew Research Center, about one in three Americans say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That figure is a stark reminder that fraud is not a rare edge case—it’s a regular risk for anyone who shops online. ...

Scammed While Online Shopping? Here’s How to Get Your Money Back It happens more often than most people realize. You place an order on what looks like a legitimate website, pay with your card or digital wallet, and then nothing arrives. The seller stops responding, the site vanishes, or the product turns out to be counterfeit. The initial feeling is frustration, then worry about whether the money is gone for good. ...

How to Get Your Money Back After an Online Shopping Scam: Step-by-Step Guide You ordered something online—maybe a deal that seemed too good to pass up. The payment went through, but the item never arrived. When you tried to contact the seller, the number was disconnected. You’ve just been caught in an online shopping refund scam. ...

Got scammed while shopping online? Here’s how to get your money back The moment you realize an online purchase was a scam can feel like a punch in the gut. Money gone, item never arriving, and a sinking suspicion that you’ve been played. But here’s the part many shoppers don’t know: recovery is often possible if you act quickly and follow a clear process. A recent Moneycontrol article highlighted that victims can recover money using a “simple process,” but left out many of the practical details. This guide fills that gap with concrete steps you can take right now. ...

Got Scammed While Shopping Online? Here’s How to Get Your Money Back If you’ve been defrauded by a fake online store or a phony customer support call, you’re not alone. Reports of shopping-related scams have increased during major sale seasons, and many victims are later approached by refund scammers who pretend to help. The good news: legitimate recovery options exist, and you don’t need to pay anyone to use them. This article walks through the actual steps you can take. ...