Online Shopping Scams

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams: What Government Alerts Can Teach Us Online shopping has become routine for most of us, but scammers have become just as routine in trying to steal your money and personal information. Government agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), regularly issue warnings about the latest tactics. Their advice is practical, tested against real threats, and often the same across multiple agencies—which means it’s worth paying attention to. ...

Watch Out for Scams and Stay Safe While Online Shopping: Advice from the VA and FDIC Online shopping has become routine for most of us, but it also attracts fraudsters looking to steal money or personal information. The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation have published multiple warnings about these threats. Whether you’re a veteran, a family member, or just someone who buys things on the internet, understanding the common tactics and how to protect yourself is worth a few minutes of attention. ...

1 in 3 Americans Has Experienced an Online Shopping Scam: How to Stay Safe If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or paid for an item through a payment app only to realize the seller was fake, you’re far from alone. New data from the Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, shows that about a third of American adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That figure is a stark reminder that scam attempts are now a routine part of buying things on the internet. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Tips from Government Agencies Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts scammers looking to steal your money or personal information. Government agencies such as the VA and the FDIC regularly issue alerts to help consumers recognize the warning signs. This article distills their guidance into practical steps you can take right now. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams: Official Tips from Government Agencies Online shopping scams are not new, but they keep evolving. Fake websites, phishing emails, and bogus banks appear regularly, targeting anyone who shops or manages money online. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) have published recent guidance to help consumers recognize these threats and protect themselves. Below is a practical summary of what they advise, drawn directly from official sources. ...

Mother’s Day Shoppers Beware: Common Scams and How to Avoid Them Mother’s Day is just a few days away, and many people are still shopping for gifts. Unfortunately, scammers know this too. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recently issued a consumer alert warning that con artists are actively targeting Mother’s Day shoppers with fake websites, phishing emails, and gift card fraud. If you’re finishing up your gift buying online, it’s worth taking a few extra minutes to verify who you’re dealing with. ...

Don’t Let Scammers Ruin Mother’s Day: How to Shop Safely Online This Year Mother’s Day 2026 is expected to see record spending, according to the National Retail Federation. That means more shoppers hunting for deals on flowers, jewelry, electronics, and experiences. Unfortunately, it also means more scammers hunting for victims. Fraudsters know that shoppers are busier and more distracted during holiday periods, and they adjust their tactics accordingly. This year, you don’t have to be one of their targets. ...

1 in 3 Americans Have Been Scammed Shopping Online. Here’s How to Avoid It. Online shopping has become so routine that it’s easy to forget how quickly a good deal can turn into a loss. According to a November 2025 report from the Pew Research Center, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s not a fringe problem—it’s a widespread threat that touches people across age groups, income levels, and shopping platforms. ...

1 in 3 Americans Has Fallen for an Online Shopping Scam: How to Avoid Being Next Not long ago, a friend of mine found what seemed like a fantastic deal on a popular brand of winter boots — half the usual price, on a site that looked almost identical to the official store. She entered her credit card details, got a confirmation email, and then … nothing. The boots never arrived, the site vanished, and the email bounced. She’d been scammed, and she wasn’t alone. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams Online shopping is a routine part of modern life. The convenience of ordering with a few clicks, however, also attracts fraudsters who constantly refine their tactics. Official guidance from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA News) regularly highlights the risks and offers practical advice that applies to anyone shopping online. This article covers the most common scams, why they matter, and concrete steps you can take to protect yourself. ...