1 in 3 Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam — Here’s How to Avoid Being Next

If you’ve ever clicked a too-good-to-be-true deal, paid a stranger through a money app for an item that never arrived, or received a suspicious email about a package you didn’t order, you’re not alone. According to new data from the Pew Research Center, about a third of U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. With holiday shopping ramping up, that number is a reminder that the convenience of buying online comes with real risks.

Here’s what the data shows, why it matters now, and—most importantly—what you can do to protect yourself.

What happened

Pew’s November 2025 survey found that roughly one in three Americans reports having fallen victim to an online shopping scam. The most common methods involve fake websites designed to look legitimate and phishing emails that mimic order confirmations or shipping updates. Scammers are also active on social media platforms; a separate 2024 Pew study noted that 65% of TikTok users turn to the app for product reviews and recommendations, making them a frequent target for influencer-driven fraud.

The problem isn’t limited to a single age group or income level. While younger adults are more likely to shop via mobile phones and payment apps—and therefore more exposed—older shoppers aren’t immune. Payment app users, in particular, often cite convenience over security, even though many of those apps offer limited fraud protection compared to credit cards.

Why it matters

Online shopping has grown steadily, but most retail sales still happen in stores. That means many consumers are still learning how to spot scams in a digital environment that evolves quickly. The holiday season magnifies the issue: people are busier, more distracted, and more willing to click links in a rush to find gifts. Scammers know this and ramp up their efforts accordingly.

Beyond the immediate financial loss, falling for a scam can erode trust in online commerce. It can also lead to stolen personal information that’s used for identity theft. Given that a third of Americans have already been burned, the scale of the problem is large enough that it’s not a matter of “if” you’ll be targeted, but when.

What readers can do

You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to shop safely. These practical steps can dramatically reduce your risk:

  • Use a credit card for online purchases. Credit cards offer the strongest fraud protections under federal law. If a charge is unauthorized or you never receive the item, you can dispute it. Debit cards and payment apps like Cash App or Venmo rarely offer the same recourse.
  • Check the URL before you enter payment info. Scammers often register domains that look almost identical to major retailers—for example, “amaz0n-deals.com” instead of “amazon.com.” Look for the padlock icon and confirm the domain is spelled correctly.
  • Be skeptical of social media ads. A flashy ad for a designer coat at 90% off is a common lure. If the seller isn’t a well-known brand and the reviews seem fake (overwhelmingly five-star, no negative comments), it’s safer to skip it.
  • Verify the seller before you buy. For unfamiliar websites, search the company name with words like “scam” or “complaint.” Check the Better Business Bureau or consumer protection forums.
  • Enable two-factor authentication on your accounts. This adds a second step (like a code sent to your phone) when logging in, making it harder for scammers to access your stored payment details.
  • Watch for phishing emails. Legitimate companies don’t ask you to click a link to verify your account or update payment information unprompted. If you get an email about a problem with an order, go directly to the retailer’s website rather than clicking the link.

If you do get scammed, act quickly. Contact your bank or credit card issuer to report the charge. Change passwords for any accounts you may have used. File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Even if you don’t recover the money, reporting helps authorities track patterns and shut down fraud rings.

Staying ahead

The Pew data is a useful reminder that online shopping scams are not rare anomalies—they’re common enough that one in three adults has experienced one. That doesn’t mean you should stop shopping online. It does mean you should slow down, question deals that seem unreal, and stick with payment methods that give you a safety net.

A few seconds of caution can save you hours of frustration.

Sources

  • Pew Research Center. “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them.” November 2025.
  • Pew Research Center. “A majority of U.S. TikTok users are there for product reviews and recommendations.” November 2024.
  • Pew Research Center. “Online Scams and Attacks in America Today.” July 2025.