Safe Shopping

Don’t Get Scammed: How to Shop Safely Online This Year Online shopping has never been more convenient, but that convenience comes with risk. Scammers are constantly refining their tactics, and during peak shopping seasons—like holidays, back-to-school, or major sales events—the number of fraudulent offers spikes. Recent alerts from the VA, the Federal Trade Commission, and the FDIC confirm that phishing emails, fake websites, and too-good-to-be-true deals are still among the top threats. Here’s a practical, up-to-date guide to recognizing and avoiding these scams, whether you’re a seasoned online buyer or just getting started. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams: Tips to Shop Safely It’s easy to forget that not every deal you see online is real. Scammers have gotten better at building fake storefronts, crafting convincing emails, and placing ads that look just like the real thing. Government agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), regularly issue warnings about these schemes. The message is consistent: shop carefully, question too-good-to-be-true offers, and know the steps to take if something goes wrong. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Tips from the VA and FDIC Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts scammers who are constantly refining their tactics. Reports of fraudulent websites, phishing emails, and fake customer support channels remain high. Both the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation have issued alerts in the past year warning consumers to stay vigilant. This article distills their guidance into actionable steps you can use right now. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams: Practical Safety Tips The convenience of online shopping is hard to beat, but it also attracts scammers looking to separate you from your money and personal information. Government agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation regularly issue warnings about common schemes, especially during sales events like Black Friday or the holiday season. While the advice is aimed at everyone, it’s especially relevant for those who may not be as familiar with digital safety. Here’s a rundown of what’s happening, why it matters, and what you can do to protect yourself. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts scammers who set up fake stores, send phishing emails, or advertise deals that are too good to be true. Government agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regularly warn consumers to stay vigilant. This guide outlines what is happening, why it matters, and practical steps you can take to protect yourself. ...

Online shopping scams hit a third of Americans – here’s what to watch for A recent survey from the Pew Research Center found that about a third of U.S. adults (33%) say they have experienced an online shopping scam. The data, released in November 2025, underscores how widespread these schemes have become. Whether you’re a seasoned online buyer or someone who only shops occasionally, the risk is real—and it’s worth knowing what to look for. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams – Practical Tips from Government Experts Online shopping is fast and convenient, but it also opens the door to scammers. Every year, consumers lose billions of dollars to fraud, and a large chunk of that comes from fake websites, phishing emails, and too-good-to-be-true deals. In January 2026, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs issued a new alert reminding shoppers – especially veterans, seniors, and less tech-savvy users – to stay vigilant. This article walks through the most common online shopping scams, clear red flags, and concrete steps you can take right now to protect yourself. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams (and What to Do If You Get Tricked) Online shopping has become second nature for most of us. But the convenience also attracts scammers looking to steal payment details, personal information, or even your entire purchase. Government agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) regularly issue reminders that these threats are not going away. The good news is that most scams follow predictable patterns, and knowing what to look for can keep your money and data safe. ...

One in Three Americans Has Fallen for an Online Shopping Scam: Here’s How to Stay Safe A new survey from the Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, sheds light on a problem many of us have suspected: online shopping scams are widespread. Roughly one in three American adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That figure is not just a statistic—it reflects millions of real losses, ranging from a few dollars for a product that never arrived to significant financial damage from stolen payment information. ...

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. ...