Identity Theft

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Red Flags and Safety Tips Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts scammers who try to steal your money or personal information. Government agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), regularly issue warnings about these threats. This article compiles their advice into a practical guide for anyone who shops online, especially those who may be less familiar with digital safety practices. ...

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. ...

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. ...

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. ...

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. ...