July is Military Consumer Month, and a time to celebrate and support our nation’s service members, veterans, and their families. But unfortunately, it’s also a time when scammers step up their efforts to take advantage of military households, especially online.

According to the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust, online shopping scams continue to top the list of fraud types reported by military consumers. In fact, these scams make up nearly half of all scam reports from military families, which is much higher than the 30% average seen in reports from non-military consumers.

So why are military consumers being targeted? The answer lies in their unique lifestyle.

Frequent relocations, time apart from loved ones, and a reliance on online shopping can all make service members more vulnerable to deceptive sellers and fake online storefronts. And scammers know this.

Whether you’re a military family or a civilian household, these scams can affect anyone.

Here are tips and ways to protect yourself.

How online shopping scams work

Scammers often create fake websites or ads that look legitimate, complete with professional design, enticing prices, and real-looking product photos. Once you make a purchase, the product never arrives, or what shows up is far from what was advertised.

The BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report shows that while younger people are more likely to encounter these scams, older adults are more likely to lose significant amounts of money to them. The median loss for military consumers reporting online shopping scams is $120, and losses can be even higher when big-ticket items are involved, such as electronics, furniture or clothing bundles.

In some cases, the scammer may even send a fake tracking number to give the illusion of a real transaction, only for the item to never show up.

Red flags to look for

Here are some warning signs that you may be dealing with an online shopping scam:

• Too-good-to-be-true prices — If an item is significantly cheaper than what’s listed elsewhere, it could be a scam.

• No contact information — Reputable businesses will provide a physical address, phone number, or customer service contact.

• No reviews or fake reviews — Scammers often use stolen or AI-generated reviews. Search for independent reviews on third-party sites.

• Requests for unusual payment methods — Be wary if a seller asks for payment via wire transfer, gift card or cryptocurrency. These are hard to trace and nearly impossible to recover if something goes wrong.

How to shop smart online

Whether you’re buying a gift for a deployed loved one or furnishing a new home after a PCS move, use these BBB tips to avoid scams:

• Research the seller — Before making a purchase, look up the website or company on BBB.org. Read complaints, ratings and verified reviews.

• Watch for copycat websites — Scammers often clone popular sites and change the domain slightly. Double-check URLs and avoid clicking on links from social media ads.

• Use a credit card — Credit cards offer better protection against fraud than debit cards or other forms of payment. If there’s a problem, you can dispute the charge.

• Check return and refund policies — Make sure you know the company’s rules before buying. Scammers rarely have clear or fair policies.

• Keep documentation — Save receipts, order confirmations, and communication with the seller in case you need to report an issue or file a chargeback.

Special tips for military families

Military consumers should take extra steps to stay secure, especially during transitions or deployments:

• Set up fraud alerts or credit monitoring — Active-duty service members can place an Active Duty Alert on their credit reports, making it harder for identity thieves to open new accounts.

• Use secure internet connections — Avoid making purchases on public Wi-Fi. Use trusted, private networks whenever possible.

• Teach young service members and dependents — Many scams target military spouses and younger enlisted personnel who may be new to managing finances on their own.

What to do if you’ve been scammed

If you’ve lost money or shared personal information with a fake seller, act quickly:

• Report the scam at BBB.org/ScamTracker. Your report helps warn others and supports investigations.

• Contact your credit card issuer to dispute the charge if you used one.

• Place a fraud alert on your credit report if personal data was shared.

Scammers continue to adapt, and so must we. Military families deserve the same secure marketplace as everyone else. By staying informed and cautious, consumers can shop online with confidence — without becoming the next victim.

Visit BBB.org/AvoidScams to learn more about scam prevention, and check BBB.org before doing business with unfamiliar retailers. Together, we can protect our community and support our service members by shining a light on deceptive practices. For more BBB news, scam alerts, and tips, visit BBB.org.

JAN DIAZ is the president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Northern Indiana.