Online Shopping Scams

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: A Practical Guide Introduction Online shopping scams are not new, but they continue to evolve. Each year, especially around major sales events like Memorial Day, summer clearance sales, and the holiday season, scammers ramp up their efforts. The Federal Trade Commission reported a noticeable increase in online shopping fraud in 2025, and that trend appears to be continuing. For the average shopper, the difference between a legitimate deal and a trap can be a single click. This guide covers the most common scam tactics right now and lays out what you can do to protect your money and personal information. ...

Nearly one in three Americans has faced an online shopping scam – here’s how to stay safe If you’ve ever clicked a link for a deal that seemed too good to be true, or sent money through a payment app only to never receive the item, you’re not alone. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, about one in three U.S. adults (32%) say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That figure is a reminder that fraud is not an edge case — it’s a routine risk for anyone who buys goods or services online. ...

1 in 3 Americans Have Fallen for an Online Shopping Scam – Here’s How to Stay Safe A new study from the Pew Research Center published in November 2025 puts a number on a problem many of us have suspected: about one in three U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. With the holiday shopping season underway, that figure is a reminder that scams are not rare exceptions—they are a routine risk of buying online. Fortunately, most can be avoided with a few straightforward habits. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before Amazon Prime Day Amazon Prime Day is one of the biggest online shopping events of the year. With millions of people hunting for deals, scammers are also busy setting up fake websites, sending phishing emails, and advertising counterfeit goods. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently issued a warning about this spike in fraudulent activity, and it’s worth paying attention to before you click “buy.” ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before You Click ‘Buy’ This Prime Day Amazon Prime Day is one of the biggest online shopping events of the year. For scammers, it’s also one of the busiest. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued its annual warning about a surge in shopping scams timed to coincide with major sales events like Prime Day. The goal: trick shoppers into handing over money or personal information through fake deals, phishing emails, and counterfeit goods. ...

Amazon Prime Day Scams Are Surging: How to Shop Safely Amazon Prime Day is the biggest online sales event of the summer, and scammers know it. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning that fraudulent websites, phishing emails, and too-good-to-be-true deals are already circulating, targeting shoppers who are looking for discounts. If you plan to buy anything during the sale, a few precautions can keep your money and personal information safe. ...

BBB Warns: Watch Out for These Online Shopping Scams Before Prime Day The Better Business Bureau has issued a warning about a rise in online shopping scams just ahead of Amazon Prime Day. For shoppers planning to hunt for deals, this alert is a timely reminder that not every offer is what it seems. ...

How to Avoid Online Shopping Scams This Prime Day: BBB Tips Amazon Prime Day is around the corner, and while shoppers look for deals, scammers are preparing their own offers. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning about a predictable surge in online shopping scams during major sales events. If you plan to shop this Prime Day, it helps to know what to watch for before you click “buy.” ...

Don’t Get Scammed This Prime Day: BBB’s Top Warnings for Online Shoppers Amazon Prime Day is one of the biggest shopping events of the year, and scammers know it. With millions of shoppers hunting for deals, fraudsters ramp up fake websites, phishing emails, and social media ads designed to steal money and personal information. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a fresh warning ahead of this year’s event, advising consumers to stay alert. ...

Prime Day Scams Are Everywhere – Here’s How to Shop Safely Big sales events like Amazon Prime Day are a magnet for bargain hunters. Unfortunately, they’re also a magnet for scammers. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued its annual warning about the uptick in online shopping scams that tend to spike around these high-traffic shopping days. With fake websites, phishing emails, and counterfeit goods circulating, a little caution can save you both money and frustration. ...