How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams Each year, online shopping scams cost consumers hundreds of millions of dollars. The schemes grow more convincing, and recent alerts from government agencies confirm that fraudsters are finding new ways to target shoppers. Understanding how these scams work and what to do if you encounter one is the best way to protect yourself. ...
How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Protect Your Wallet Online shopping saves time and often money, but it also opens the door to scammers who set up fake stores, send phishing messages, or sell counterfeit goods. Recent alerts from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA News), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) remind us that these threats are persistent and evolve with seasonal trends. Knowing what to look for and how to respond can make the difference between a good deal and a costly mistake. ...
How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: A Practical Guide Online shopping has become a routine part of life, but scammers are getting better at mimicking legitimate stores, emails, and payment portals. Government agencies—including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)—have recently issued warnings about the growing number of online shopping scams. This guide distills the key red flags and practical steps you can take to protect yourself, based on official advice from these sources. ...
1 in 3 Americans Have Been Scammed While Shopping Online – Here’s How to Protect Yourself Online shopping has become routine for most of us, but it comes with real risks. A recent survey from the Pew Research Center found that about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s roughly 33 percent of U.S. adults who have lost money or had personal information stolen while trying to buy something online. ...
1 in 3 Americans Has Been Scammed While Shopping Online—Here’s How to Avoid It If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or paid for a “deal” that turned out to be a fake store, you’re not alone. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, about a third of U.S. adults say they’ve experienced an online shopping scam. That’s a striking number, and it suggests that fraudulent listings, fake websites, and payment scams have become a routine hazard of e-commerce. ...
How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Red Flags and Safety Tips Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts scammers who try to steal your money or personal information. Government agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), regularly issue warnings about these threats. This article compiles their advice into a practical guide for anyone who shops online, especially those who may be less familiar with digital safety practices. ...
How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Keep Your Money Safe Intro Online shopping has become a routine part of life for most people, whether you’re buying groceries, electronics, or clothing. But alongside the convenience comes a steady stream of scams designed to separate you from your money or personal information. Every year, especially during seasonal sales events like Black Friday or back-to-school periods, reports of fraudulent websites, phishing emails, and fake deals surge. ...
How to Outsmart Online Shopping Scams: A Practical Guide Online shopping has become a daily habit for many of us. But as convenience grows, so do the risks. The Department of Veterans Affairs recently published an article on its official news site reminding consumers to watch out for scams while shopping online. The advice applies to anyone buying goods or services over the internet, not just veterans. Here’s what you need to know and what you can do to stay safe. ...
How to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before You Lose Money Online shopping has made buying almost anything more convenient, but it has also opened the door for scammers to trick shoppers out of their money. Reports from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and consumer protection agencies show that complaints about fake websites, phishing emails, and payment fraud have increased in recent years, and the tactics keep evolving. ...
1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams: How to Protect Yourself A new survey from the Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, found that roughly one in three American adults (32%) say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That figure covers a wide range of incidents—from paying for goods that never arrived to clicking links that led to stolen credit card numbers. With online retail continuing to grow, these scams are not going away. Here’s what you need to know and how to reduce your risk. ...