Online Shopping Scams

How to Spot an Online Shopping Scam (and Keep Your Money Safe) Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts scammers. Government agencies, including the VA News and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), have issued alerts in recent months about rising threats ranging from fake websites to fraudulent banks. While the basics of scam avoidance haven’t changed much, scammers are refining their tactics. Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Shop Safely Online shopping is convenient, but it also comes with risks. Scammers constantly look for ways to trick shoppers into handing over money or personal information, often by setting up fake websites, sending fraudulent emails, or posing as legitimate businesses. During peak shopping seasons—like holidays or big sales events—these attempts tend to spike. The good news is that most scams follow predictable patterns. Learning to spot them can save you time, money, and stress. ...

Meta Under Fire for Online Shopping Scams: How to Protect Yourself Right Now If you’ve bought something on Facebook Marketplace or Instagram Shopping, you’re not alone—millions do every week. But Dutch authorities have just publicly stated that Meta isn’t doing nearly enough to stop the scams that plague those platforms. For shoppers, that means the burden of staying safe still falls mostly on you. ...

How to spot and avoid online shopping scams this season Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts fraudsters. Scams that target shoppers are becoming more common, especially during major sales events and the holiday season. Government agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Trade Commission, have issued warnings about the most frequent tactics. The good news is that most scams follow predictable patterns, and a few simple precautions can keep you safe. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Shopping Scams on Facebook and Instagram Right Now If you’ve bought or sold anything on Facebook Marketplace or Instagram, you’ve probably noticed that scams are everywhere. Dutch authorities recently made that official: after an investigation, they concluded that Meta isn’t doing nearly enough to protect users from online shopping fraud. For shoppers, that means the responsibility falls back on you. Here’s what’s happening, why it matters, and—most importantly—how to keep your money safe. ...

How to Spot an Online Shopping Scam Before You Lose Money Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts scammers. Fraud reports filed with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) consistently show that online shopping scams are among the top categories of consumer fraud, with losses reaching billions of dollars annually. As scammers adopt AI-generated listings, fake websites, and convincing phishing emails, the need for practical, up-to-date advice is greater than ever. ...

Meta Isn’t Doing Enough to Stop Shopping Scams — Here’s How to Protect Yourself If you shop on Facebook Marketplace or Instagram Shopping, you’re probably familiar with the convenience of buying directly from sellers. But you may also have noticed listings that seem too good to be true, or messages asking you to pay outside the platform. Those are common signs of shopping scams, and Dutch authorities say Meta isn’t doing nearly enough to stop them. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Stay Safe — Practical Tips Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts scammers. Phishing emails, fake stores, and too‑good‑to‑be‑true deals are common year‑round. Government agencies such as the VA, FDIC, and Federal Trade Commission regularly issue warnings about these threats. This article compiles practical advice from those sources to help you recognize scams and protect yourself. ...

How to Watch Out for Scams and Stay Safe While Online Shopping Online shopping has become a routine part of life for most people. But as e‑commerce grows, so do the number of scams designed to separate you from your money or steal your personal information. Recent alerts from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA News) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) highlight the need for shoppers to stay alert year‑round, not just during the holidays. ...

1 in 3 Americans have been scammed while shopping online. Are you next? If you’ve ever bought something online and never received it, or clicked a link in a text about a package delivery and later saw strange charges on your card, you are not alone. New data from the Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, shows that roughly one in three American adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That number is high enough that it’s worth understanding what these scams look like and how to avoid becoming part of the statistic. ...