Online Shopping Scams

Online shopping scams in 2026: What to watch for and how to protect yourself Buying things online has never been more convenient—or more risky. According to a January 2026 warning from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA News), scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to trick shoppers. The FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report, released earlier this year, showed that online shopping scams accounted for over $350 million in losses nationally, with the average victim losing $1,200. And those numbers are likely underreported. ...

A third of Americans have faced an online shopping scam — here’s how to avoid being next If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or paid a seller who vanished after taking your money, you’re not alone. A Pew Research Center survey from November 2025 found that about a third of U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. The figure is striking, especially as holiday shopping ramps up and more people turn to social media platforms and payment apps to make purchases. This guide explains what the data shows, why it matters for everyday shoppers, and — most importantly — how to reduce your chances of being the next victim. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Advice from VA and Federal Agencies Online shopping offers convenience, but it also attracts scammers looking to steal your money or personal information. The Department of Veterans Affairs has published multiple alerts warning veterans and their families about common shopping scams and how to stay safe. This article draws on those official sources and similar guidance from the FDIC to give you practical, actionable steps. ...

Online Shopping Scams Are Getting Smarter – Here’s How to Stay Safe If you’ve shopped online in the past year, you’ve probably noticed deals that seem too good to be true. Some of them are. According to recent warnings from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Federal Trade Commission, online shopping scams are becoming more sophisticated and harder to spot. Veterans and military families are especially targeted, but anyone with a credit card can be caught off guard. ...

One in Three Americans Has Fallen for an Online Shopping Scam: Here’s How to Stay Safe A new survey from the Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, sheds light on a problem many of us have suspected: online shopping scams are widespread. Roughly one in three American adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That figure is not just a statistic—it reflects millions of real losses, ranging from a few dollars for a product that never arrived to significant financial damage from stolen payment information. ...

1 in 3 Americans Have Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam: Here’s How to Stay Safe A new study from the Pew Research Center puts a number on something many of us have suspected: online shopping scams are far from rare. According to the survey, about a third of U.S. adults (34%) say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That figure covers everything from paying for items that never arrive to receiving counterfeit goods or having payment credentials stolen through fake retailer sites. ...

How to Avoid Fake Prom Dress Websites This Season Prom season is around the corner, and with it comes a familiar wave of online shopping scams. Every year, scammers set up fake websites that appear to sell prom dresses at steep discounts, only to take shoppers’ money and deliver nothing. Recent alerts from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) serve as a timely reminder that these scams are active right now. ...

BBB Warns About Fake Prom Dress Websites: How to Shop Safely This Season Prom season is a busy time for students and parents, and scammers know it. Earlier this month, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) issued an alert specifically for shoppers in New York’s Hudson Valley, warning that fraudulent websites are popping up that appear to sell prom dresses at deep discounts. But this is not just a local problem — similar scams have been reported nationwide. ...

Fake Prom Dress Websites Are Scamming Shoppers: How to Spot and Avoid Them Prom season brings a familiar rush: finding the perfect dress, often online to save time and money. But along with legitimate deals come scammers setting up fake storefronts that look real—until your order never arrives and your payment is gone. The Better Business Bureau recently issued an alert for shoppers in the Hudson Valley, but the warning applies to anyone searching for formal wear online right now. ...

Beware of Fake Prom Dress Websites: How to Spot an Online Scam Before You Buy Prom season is here, and along with the search for the perfect dress comes a familiar risk: online scammers setting up fake storefronts. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently issued an alert for shoppers in the Hudson Valley, warning that fraudulent websites posing as dress retailers are circulating. While the alert targeted a specific region, the tactics they describe are used nationwide. If you or your teen are shopping online for prom attire, it’s worth taking a few minutes to understand how these scams work and how to avoid them. ...