How to Stay Safe from Online Shopping Scams: Tips from the VA Online shopping is convenient, but it also opens the door to scammers who try to take advantage of shoppers. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recently issued a warning about the growing threat of online shopping scams, and their advice is worth heeding whether you’re a veteran, a family member, or anyone who buys goods online. ...
How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: A Guide for Consumers Winter and holiday shopping season brings a surge in online deals — and unfortunately, a surge in scams. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recently issued a warning urging veterans and all consumers to stay alert while shopping online. Whether you’re buying gifts, household essentials, or taking advantage of seasonal sales, knowing how to recognize fraudulent offers can save you money and protect your personal information. ...
How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams Online shopping has become a normal part of daily life for millions of people. But the convenience comes with real risks. According to data from the Federal Trade Commission, reports of online shopping fraud have risen sharply in recent years, and government agencies continue to issue alerts about scams targeting consumers. A recent article from VA News (.gov) reminds shoppers to be vigilant, especially when deals seem too good to be true. This guide walks through what you need to know to protect yourself. ...
Online Shopping Scams Are on the Rise: How to Spot and Stop Them If you shop online regularly, you’ve probably noticed more emails, texts, and social media ads pushing deals that seem almost too good to pass up. Unfortunately, many of those are scams designed to steal your money or personal information. Government agencies have been issuing warnings about these threats for years, and the alerts keep coming. In January 2026, the Department of Veterans Affairs published an article specifically telling people to watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping. It’s a reminder that everyone—especially those who use VA benefits or other government services—needs to stay cautious. ...
1 in 3 Americans Have Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam — How to Protect Yourself If you’ve ever clicked a too-good-to-be-true deal on social media, only to receive nothing or a counterfeit product, you’re far from alone. According to a new survey from the Pew Research Center, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s roughly 33% of U.S. adults — a figure that underscores just how widespread fraud has become in the digital marketplace. ...
How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Tips from the VA Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts scammers looking to steal your money or personal information. The Department of Veterans Affairs has published several alerts and guides on this topic, warning that fake websites, phishing emails, and even QR code scams are on the rise. Whether you are a veteran using VA benefits or anyone shopping online, knowing how to recognize these threats can save you time, money, and stress. ...
Title: How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Stay Safe While Buying Online What’s behind the rise in online shopping scams Online shopping scams have become more common and more convincing. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Veterans Affairs recently issued warnings about new tactics—such as fake websites mimicking official portals like ID.me or the Claim Assist Portal, and phishing messages that use QR codes to steal payment information. Scammers are targeting veterans, older adults, and anyone who regularly buys goods or services online. ...
Scam Ads Are Everywhere: How to Spot Them and Protect Yourself If you’ve seen an ad on social media offering a 90% discount on a name-brand appliance, or a pop-up warning that your computer is infected and you need to call a “Microsoft technician” immediately, you’ve encountered a scam ad. These fake advertisements appear on legitimate platforms—Facebook, Google, news sites—and they’re becoming more common. They don’t just hurt brands’ reputations; they directly target your wallet and your personal data. ...
How to Spot and Avoid Scam Ads: A Practical Guide for Online Shoppers If you’ve been online lately, you’ve probably seen an ad that looks just like a real product from a trusted brand, but something feels off. Maybe the price is impossibly low, or the site seems a little rough around the edges. You’re not imagining it—scam ads have become a persistent problem for both consumers and legitimate businesses. ...
Scam Ads Are Everywhere: How to Spot and Avoid Them If you’ve spent any time on social media or using a search engine lately, you’ve probably seen them: posts advertising a “one-time” deal on a popular brand’s product, promising huge discounts that seem too good to be true. Often, they are. Scam ads have become a pervasive problem online, costing consumers money and eroding trust in legitimate brands. A recent report in Marketing Week highlights how these fraudulent advertisements create a growing crisis for companies whose names and images are stolen to trick people. ...