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Don’t Get Tricked: How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Shop Safely Online shopping has become a daily habit for many of us. Convenience, a wider selection, and often better prices make it hard to resist. But scammers know this too. Every year, thousands of people lose money to fake websites, phony deals, and payment fraud. The 2024 FBI Internet Crime Report (released in 2025) noted that losses from online shopping scams continued to climb, and the VA regularly warns veterans and their families to stay vigilant. Whether you’re buying a gift, a household item, or a service, learning the red flags can save you time and money. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Tips from VA, FTC, and FBI Online shopping has become a routine part of life for most people, but it also comes with a growing risk of fraud. According to the FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report, released in May 2025, cybercrime losses in the United States reached into the billions last year. A significant portion of those losses involve online shopping scams—phony stores, phishing messages, and deals that seem too good to be true. Veterans and military families are often targeted, partly because scammers know they may have steady benefits or pensions. ...

Watch Out for Online Shopping Scams: What Veterans and Everyone Should Know This Season Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts scammers—especially during peak sales periods like holidays, tax season, or big promotions. The FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report shows that cybercrime losses in the United States reached nearly $12.5 billion, with online purchase scams consistently among the top categories reported. Veterans and military families are frequent targets because scammers know they often have stable incomes and may trust official-looking communications. The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Trade Commission have published multiple alerts urging caution. Here’s a grounded look at how these scams work and what you can do to stay safe. ...

3 Ways to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before You Lose Money Shopping online is convenient, but it also opens the door to scammers who have grown more sophisticated. In the past year, the FBI, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Department of Veterans Affairs have all issued warnings about the rising tide of online shopping fraud. The FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report, released in May 2025, put the total losses from online shopping scams in the billions. The VA, meanwhile, has been reminding veterans and military families to watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams: Tips from the VA and FTC Online shopping has become second nature for most of us, but it also comes with risks. Scammers are constantly refining their tactics, and government agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the FBI regularly update their warnings. Whether you’re a veteran, a military family member, or just someone trying to buy a gift online, knowing how to recognize a scam can save you money and frustration. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before You Lose Money Intro Every year, millions of people buy something online without a second thought. Most transactions go smoothly. But scammers have gotten better at making fake stores, phishing messages, and fraudulent payment requests look real. The FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report noted that Americans lost over $10 billion to cybercrime, and online shopping scams accounted for a large share of those losses. The good news: most of these scams follow predictable patterns, and you can learn to spot them before you hand over your money. ...

6 Common Online Shopping Scams and How to Avoid Them Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts scammers looking to take your money or personal information. Government agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regularly issue alerts about ongoing scams. In 2022, the FTC recorded over $8.8 billion in consumer fraud losses, with online shopping scams near the top of the list. Whether you’re a frequent buyer or someone who only shops online occasionally, knowing what to look for can save you time, money, and stress. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Protect Your Wallet Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts scammers. According to the FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report, Americans lost more than $12.5 billion to cybercrime last year. A significant chunk of that comes from shopping scams—fake websites, phishing texts, and too-good-to-be-true deals that cost you money and expose your personal data. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has also issued repeated warnings about scams targeting veterans and military families, especially around the holidays. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams: Tips from Government Agencies Introduction Online shopping has made buying nearly anything simple—but it has also opened the door to fraud that costs consumers billions every year. The FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report recorded over $10 billion in reported losses, with shopping scams consistently ranking among the top complaint categories. Veterans, military families, and everyday shoppers are all targets. Recent alerts from the VA, the FTC, and the FBI offer straightforward guidance that can help you avoid becoming a victim. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Tips from the VA and FTC Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts fraudsters. Every year, especially during tax season and the holidays, reports of scams spike. The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Trade Commission regularly update their guidance to help people—particularly veterans and military families—protect themselves. Knowing what to watch for can save you money and personal information. ...