1 in 3 Americans Got Scammed Shopping Online: Here’s How to Avoid It

1 in 3 Americans Got Scammed Shopping Online: Here’s How to Avoid It

If you shop online—and most of us do—you’ve probably wondered whether that unbelievable deal or unfamiliar website is legitimate. New data from the Pew Research Center, released in November 2025, suggests that your caution is warranted. According to a national survey conducted in July 2025, about one in three U.S. adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam.

That statistic alone is sobering. But the report also reveals that scams are not rare occurrences affecting only the unwary. They are widespread, and they take many forms, from fake websites that mimic trusted retailers to phishing emails that appear to come from major brands. The good news is that most of these scams follow recognizable patterns, and a few straightforward habits can dramatically reduce your risk.

What Happened?

Pew surveyed roughly 5,000 American adults about a range of digital security incidents. Among the findings:

• About a third of respondents said they had been the target or victim of an online shopping scam.
• The most common types mentioned were fraudulent websites or social media marketplace listings, along with phishing messages that tricked people into sharing payment information.
• Younger adults and those who shop more frequently online reported higher rates of exposure, though no age group was immune.

It is worth noting that the data rely on self-reporting, so the actual number could be higher—some victims may not realize they were scammed, or they may be reluctant to admit it. But the overall pattern is consistent with earlier consumer protection reports: online shopping fraud is a persistent and growing problem.

Why It Matters

Holiday shopping seasons and daily browsing both involve handing over payment details and personal information. A single successful scam can lead to stolen credit card numbers, unauthorized charges, or even identity theft. And because many online purchases are made through peer-to-peer marketplaces (like Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp) or through ads on social media, the line between a legitimate seller and a fraudster is often blurred.

The consequences are not just financial. Many victims report spending hours resolving disputed charges, canceling cards, and dealing with banks. For people who are less familiar with digital transactions, the experience can be confusing and stressful enough to discourage future online shopping altogether.

What Readers Can Do

The following steps are practical, low-effort measures that can prevent most common scams. They are not guarantees, but they raise the bar high enough to deter many opportunists.

1. Verify the website before you buy.
Look for a padlock icon in the address bar and a URL that starts with “https.” But remember: a padlock only means the connection is encrypted, not that the site is honest. For unknown retailers, search for independent reviews or complaints on the Better Business Bureau site. If the domain is very new (check via a whois lookup), treat it with extra suspicion.

2. Be skeptical of prices that seem too low.
Scammers dangle steep discounts on high-demand items—electronics, designer goods, popular toys—as bait. If an offer is 60–70% below what you see everywhere else, it is almost certainly a fraud. Even 40% off on a new flagship phone should raise a red flag.

3. Use a credit card or a payment service with fraud protection.
Credit cards offer the strongest consumer protections under federal law (the Fair Credit Billing Act). Debit cards and direct bank transfers do not provide the same safety net. Payment apps like PayPal or Apple Pay also offer buyer protection in many cases, but read the terms. Avoid wiring money or using cryptocurrency for online purchases from strangers.

4. Don’t click links in unsolicited emails or social media messages.
Phishing emails often mimic Amazon, eBay, or delivery services. Instead of clicking a link in the message, open a new browser tab and go directly to the company’s official website. If you receive an email about a “problem with your order,” log into your account from the site itself—do not use the email’s buttons.

5. Use two-factor authentication on shopping accounts.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible, especially on Amazon, eBay, and any account that stores your payment info. This makes it much harder for a scammer to take over your account even if they obtain your password.

6. Shop on a secure network.
Avoid entering payment details while on public Wi-Fi at coffee shops, airports, or hotels. If you must, use a VPN that encrypts your traffic. Better yet, use your phone’s mobile data for transactions.

7. Know what to do if you are scammed.
Act quickly. Call your credit card issuer or bank immediately to dispute the charge and request a new card. If you shared personal information, consider freezing your credit with the three major bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion). File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and with your local consumer protection office. Change the passwords on any accounts that may have been compromised.

The Bottom Line

The Pew data confirms what many consumer advocates have been saying for years: online shopping scams are not an edge case. They are a routine part of the internet experience in 2025. But the difference between becoming a victim and staying safe often comes down to a few simple checks before clicking “buy.” Developing these habits takes little time and can spare you the much larger cost of cleaning up after a scam.

Sources

• Pew Research Center, “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them,” November 2025. [Link to Pew report]
• Federal Trade Commission, “What To Do If You Were Scammed.” [Link to FTC page]
• Better Business Bureau, “BBB Scam Tracker.” [Link to BBB]