Identity Theft

1 in 3 Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam — How to Avoid Being Next A recent report from Pew Research Center found that about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. The data, released in November 2025, covers a range of fraudulent experiences — from fake store websites to phishing emails that impersonate well-known retailers. With holiday shopping in full swing and online transactions becoming routine, understanding how these scams work is more than a privacy concern; it’s a practical necessity. ...

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. ...

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. ...

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.” ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: A Third of Americans Have Been Hit If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or paid for a product that turned out to be a cheap counterfeit, you’re not 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 tens of millions of people who have lost money or personal information to fraudulent sellers, fake websites, or deceptive ads. ...

One in Three Americans Report Online Shopping Scams: How to Protect Yourself According to a new Pew Research Center survey released in November 2025, about a third of U.S. adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That’s a striking figure, one that cuts across age, income, and tech comfort levels. If you shop online—and most of us do—it’s worth understanding what these scams look like and how to keep your money and personal information safe. ...