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How to avoid shopping scams with tips from the FBI

Amanda Wallace Amaris Encinas Alexa Juliana Ard
Dec. 13, 2024Updated June 30, 2025, 12:21 p.m. ET
The Internet Crime Complaint Center's 2023 report found that that nondelivery scams and nonpayment scams cost people more than $309 million that year and credit card fraud accounted for another $173 million in losses. This holiday season guard yourself from shopping scams, which can include auction fraud, non-delivery scams, gift card fraud and non-payment scams.
The Internet Crime Complaint Center's 2023 report found that that nondelivery scams and nonpayment scams cost people more than $309 million that year and credit card fraud accounted for another $173 million in losses. This holiday season guard yourself from shopping scams, which can include auction fraud, non-delivery scams, gift card fraud and non-payment scams.
Photo Illustration By Igor Golovniov, SOPA Images/LightRocket Via Getty Images
The FBI released a set of tips you can practice to avoid shopping scams.
The FBI released a set of tips you can practice to avoid shopping scams.
Beata Zawrzel, NurPhoto Via Getty Images
Avoid clicking on any "suspicious" links or attachments in emails, on websites, or on social media, and be especially wary if you are prompted to provide any personal information in order to obtain access.
Avoid clicking on any "suspicious" links or attachments in emails, on websites, or on social media, and be especially wary if you are prompted to provide any personal information in order to obtain access.
Artur Widak, NurPhoto Via Getty Images
Verify all website URLs are "legitimate." The telltale sign of a secure connection is a padlock in the address bar and "https" at the beginning of the full address. When buying from a website that does not have "https" in the web address, do not enter any information.
Verify all website URLs are "legitimate." The telltale sign of a secure connection is a padlock in the address bar and "https" at the beginning of the full address. When buying from a website that does not have "https" in the web address, do not enter any information.
Silas Stein, Dpa/picture Alliance Via Getty Images
Do your research and check reviews before you purchase from an unknown company for the first time. It's best to avoid buyers or sellers with mostly unfavorable reviews, or no reviews at all.
Do your research and check reviews before you purchase from an unknown company for the first time. It's best to avoid buyers or sellers with mostly unfavorable reviews, or no reviews at all.
Mohssen Assanimoghaddam, Dpa/picture Alliance Via Getty Images
Don't buy products from sellers "who act as authorized dealers or factory representatives of popular items in countries where there would be no such deals" or who "post an auction/advertisement in the U.S. but respond to questions by stating they are out of the country on business, family emergency, or similar reasons."
Don't buy products from sellers "who act as authorized dealers or factory representatives of popular items in countries where there would be no such deals" or who "post an auction/advertisement in the U.S. but respond to questions by stating they are out of the country on business, family emergency, or similar reasons."
Anna Barclay, Getty Images
Steer clear of buyers who offer dodgy shipping arrangements, or who offer to avoid customs, taxes or fees.
Steer clear of buyers who offer dodgy shipping arrangements, or who offer to avoid customs, taxes or fees.
Nicolas Guyonnet, Hans Lucas/AFP Via Getty Images
When paying for a product or service, never wire money directly to a seller.
When paying for a product or service, never wire money directly to a seller.
Hollie Adams, Bloomberg Via Getty Images
The FBI also recommends avoiding paying for items with prepaid gift cards. A seller will ask for the gift card number and PIN. Instead of using the gift card for payment, the scammer will steal the funds and not provide the items.
The FBI also recommends avoiding paying for items with prepaid gift cards. A seller will ask for the gift card number and PIN. Instead of using the gift card for payment, the scammer will steal the funds and not provide the items.
Jeff Greenberg, Education Images/Universal Images Group Via Getty Images
Dispute suspicious transactions.
Dispute suspicious transactions.
Angelos Tzortzinis, AFP Via Getty Images
Keep a record of all transactions, tracking information and shipping details to keep track of all purchases and follow the delivery process.
Keep a record of all transactions, tracking information and shipping details to keep track of all purchases and follow the delivery process.
Ina Fassbender, Picture Alliance Via Getty Images
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