Identity Theft

Don’t Get Tricked: How to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before You Buy Online shopping has become second nature for most of us. A few clicks, a payment, and a package arrives days later. But that convenience also creates openings for scammers. Fake websites, phishing emails, and too-good-to-be-true deals are more common than many shoppers realize. According to the FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report, online shopping fraud continues to climb, especially after holiday seasons and major sales events. The good news is that most scams can be avoided with a few simple checks before you hit “buy.” ...

1 in 3 Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam – Here’s How to Stay Safe If you’ve ever clicked “Buy Now” on a deal that seemed too good to be true, only to receive nothing or a cheap counterfeit, you’re far from alone. According to a 2025 survey by the Pew Research Center, about one-third of U.S. adults say they’ve experienced an online shopping scam. That’s roughly 33% of American consumers who have lost money, had their personal information stolen, or been tricked into buying from a fraudulent seller. ...

1 in 3 Americans Have Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam: How to Protect Yourself If you shop online, the odds are not in your favor. According to a recent Pew Research Center study published in November 2025, roughly one-third of U.S. adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That’s not a niche problem—it’s a common part of modern consumer life. And the numbers are worth paying attention to, not because they’re alarming for their own sake, but because they point to patterns you can protect yourself against. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams The convenience of buying anything from a phone or laptop has made online shopping second nature for most of us. But as more transactions move to the web, scammers are getting better at pretending to be legitimate sellers, shippers, and payment services. The FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report found that consumers lost hundreds of millions of dollars to online shopping fraud last year alone, and the numbers keep climbing. The good news is that many of these scams are avoidable if you know what to look for. This guide walks through the most common tricks, how to spot them, and what to do if you get caught. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Keep Your Money Safe Online shopping has become a daily habit for millions, but scammers have taken notice. Fraudsters are constantly refining their tactics to trick shoppers into handing over money and personal information. According to a recent alert from VA News (.gov), online shopping scams are surging, and the FBI’s latest Internet Crime Report confirms that reported losses from these scams reached record levels in 2025. Whether you’re a seasoned buyer or someone who rarely shops online, knowing how to identify and avoid these schemes is essential. ...

Think Before You Click: How to Spot Online Shopping Scams Online shopping is convenient, but it’s also become a hunting ground for scammers. The latest FBI Internet Crime Report shows that consumers lost tens of millions of dollars to online shopping scams in 2024 alone. And according to a recent article from VA News, these scams are growing more sophisticated — targeting not just the elderly, but anyone browsing deals on social media, email, or even official-looking websites. ...

1 in 3 Americans Have Been Scammed While Shopping Online – Here’s How to Protect Yourself If you shop online regularly, you have likely come across a deal that seemed too good to be true, a seller with no track record, or a payment request that felt off. 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 figure has stayed relevant through mid‑2026 as holiday shopping season nears. Understanding the most common tricks and knowing what to do before and after a purchase can help you avoid becoming part of that statistic. ...

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. ...

1 in 3 Americans Has Fallen for an Online Shopping Scam: Here’s How to Stay Safe New survey data from Pew Research Center shows that roughly a third of U.S. adults say they have been the victim of an online shopping scam. With the holiday buying season winding down and deals still lingering, it’s a good time to review how these scams work and what you can do to avoid them. ...

1 in 3 Americans Have Been Scammed While Shopping Online: How to Protect Yourself A new survey from the Pew Research Center finds that roughly one in three U.S. adults have fallen victim to an online shopping scam at some point. With holiday shopping season underway, that number is a reminder to review your habits before clicking “buy.” ...