Secure Shopping

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: A Practical Guide Introduction Online shopping scams are not new, but they continue to evolve. Each year, especially around major sales events like Memorial Day, summer clearance sales, and the holiday season, scammers ramp up their efforts. The Federal Trade Commission reported a noticeable increase in online shopping fraud in 2025, and that trend appears to be continuing. For the average shopper, the difference between a legitimate deal and a trap can be a single click. This guide covers the most common scam tactics right now and lays out what you can do to protect your money and personal information. ...

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. ...

Prime Day Scams: 9 Tips to Keep Your Money Safe Amazon Prime Day is one of the biggest shopping events of the year. Millions of people hunt for discounts, and scammers know it. Every July, phishing emails, fake websites, and fraudulent sellers surface at an alarming rate, trying to catch shoppers off guard. ...

Shopping for Father’s Day and Prime Day? Here’s How to Avoid Scams and Keep More of Your Money By the time you read this, you’ve probably seen the ads, the countdown clocks, and the email subject lines promising “unmissable” deals. Father’s Day and Prime Day fall close together this year, and retailers are expecting record spending. But so are scammers. Every major shopping event brings a predictable surge in fake websites, phishing emails, and social-media posts that look like incredible bargains—until you check your bank account. ...

Online Shopping Scams: How to Spot Them and Shop Safely The convenience of ordering almost anything online has made scams more common—and more convincing. According to a recent warning from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, scammers are continuously refining their tactics, using fake websites, phishing emails, and social media ads to trick shoppers into handing over money and personal information. The FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report noted that losses from online shopping fraud reached hundreds of millions of dollars last year, and the numbers are climbing. ...

The Fine Print on Online Shopping Scams: What Government Warnings Tell Us Online shopping has become routine for most of us, but the convenience also comes with a growing number of traps. Scammers now operate with more sophistication, creating fake storefronts, impersonating trusted brands, and even setting up phony banks to steal payment details. ...

Stop Online Shopping Scams: Warning Signs You Need to Know Scammers are getting smarter, but you can stay ahead. Learn the telltale signs of a fake deal, how to verify sellers, and what to do if you get tricked. This plain-language guide covers the latest tactics—from phishing texts to fake websites—so you can shop with confidence. ...

One in Three Americans Has Been Scammed While Shopping Online – What to Know If you’ve ever clicked on a too-good-to-be-true deal and ended up losing money or having your card stolen, you’re not alone. According to new research from the Pew Research Center, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. The data, released in late 2025, shows that 34% of U.S. adults have personally experienced this type of fraud. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: A Shopper’s Guide Online shopping offers convenience and often better prices, but it also attracts scammers looking to separate you from your money or personal information. Fraudulent websites, phony deals, and phishing emails are common, and they can target anyone. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has published guidance to help consumers, including veterans, watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping. The advice applies broadly. Here’s what you need to know. ...

Nearly One in Three Americans Have Experienced an Online Shopping Scam: What to Know and How to Protect Yourself If you shop online, you’re not alone in worrying about scams. Recent data from the Pew Research Center puts a number on that concern: about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s roughly 32 percent of U.S. adults, based on a Pew survey conducted in 2025. ...