Phishing

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before You Lose Money Online shopping has never been easier or more convenient, but it has also never been riskier. Scammers are constantly refining their tactics, and no one is immune — not even those who consider themselves tech-savvy. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) have both issued warnings in recent months about the growing sophistication of online shopping fraud. This article distills their guidance into practical steps you can take today. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Protect Yourself Online shopping has become a routine part of life, but it also attracts scammers looking to steal your money or personal information. Government agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation have issued warnings about evolving tactics. For example, a January 2026 VA News alert reminded veterans to watch out for scams while shopping online, and an FDIC consumer article from August 2024 described fake banks that appear legitimate but are merely fronts for fraud. ...

Online shopping scams to watch and simple ways to avoid them If you’ve ever clicked “buy” on a deal that looked too good to be true, only to receive nothing — or a knockoff — you’re not alone. A recent Pew Research Center survey found that about one in three U.S. adults have experienced an online shopping scam. That’s roughly 33 percent of online shoppers. ...

Watch Out for Online Shopping Scams: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts scammers who set up fake websites, send phishing emails, and trick buyers into handing over payment details or personal information. Recent alerts from government agencies—including the VA, FDIC, and FTC—confirm that these threats remain common. While no guide can guarantee complete safety, understanding how these scams work and following a few practical steps can reduce your risk significantly. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Practical Safety Tips Online shopping is convenient, but it also opens the door to scammers. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regularly publishes warnings about fraud targeting veterans—and much of that advice applies to everyone. Whether you’re buying a gift or everyday essentials, a few simple checks can keep your money and personal information safe. ...

Nearly One in Three Americans Has Been Scammed While Shopping Online – Here’s What You Need to Know If you’ve ever clicked “Buy Now” on a site that looked legitimate, only to receive nothing but a confirmation email and silence, you’re far from alone. According to new data from the Pew Research Center, roughly one in three Americans say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That’s a staggering number, and it’s worth paying attention to – not because you should stop shopping online, but because a few simple habits can dramatically cut your risk. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Protect Yourself The Growing Problem of Online Shopping Scams Online shopping is convenient, but it also opens the door to scammers who set up fake websites, send phishing emails, and peddle counterfeit goods. Government agencies have been issuing regular warnings. In January 2026, the VA News (.gov) published an article titled “Watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping,” reminding consumers that fraudsters constantly adapt their tactics. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) also released a guide on scammers and fake banks, and the Fox News report on ID.me safety (May 2026) highlighted how identity verification tools can themselves become targets for scams. ...

Over 30% of Americans Have Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam – Here’s How to Avoid It Intro If you shop online, you’re not alone in worrying about scams. A recent survey from the Pew Research Center found that roughly one in three U.S. adults has personally experienced an online shopping scam. That’s 32% of respondents, a figure that underscores just how common fraudulent schemes have become in the e-commerce landscape. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Stay Safe: A Practical Guide Introduction Online shopping scams are not going away. Every year—especially around major sales events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and holiday seasons—fraudsters ramp up their efforts. But the threat is year-round. Government agencies from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to the Department of Veterans Affairs have issued repeated warnings about fake storefronts, phishing emails, and deals that look too good to be true. This guide walks through what’s happening, why it matters, and what you can do to protect yourself. ...

1 in 3 Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam: How to Protect Yourself If you’ve ever clicked “buy” on a deal that seemed too good, only to receive nothing—or worse, a knockoff—you’re not alone. 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 figure cuts across age groups, income levels, and shopping habits. With the holiday season approaching, the chances of running into a scam only increase. ...