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

If you’ve ever clicked “Buy Now” on a deal that looked too good to be true, and later found the item never arrived or was a cheap counterfeit, you’re far from alone. According to a November 2025 report from the Pew Research Center, roughly one in three U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. The number is a stark reminder that what used to be an occasional risk has become a routine hazard of buying online.

This article breaks down what the Pew study actually tells us, why it matters for anyone who shops on the internet, and — most importantly — how you can cut your chances of becoming the next victim.

What Happened

The Pew Research Center surveyed American adults and found that about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. The report, published in November 2025, covers a range of scam types, including:

  • Fake or lookalike websites that mimic real retailers.
  • Phishing emails and texts that claim a purchase needs “verification” but are designed to steal payment details.
  • Counterfeit goods that never arrive or are shoddy imitations.
  • Bogus customer reviews that make a scam store look legitimate.

The survey didn’t break down exact percentages per scam type, but it makes clear that online shopping fraud is widespread and touches all age groups. Older adults were slightly less likely to report being scammed, but younger shoppers are more exposed due to heavy use of social media shopping and influencer promotions.

Separate research from the same center found that about 1 in 5 Americans have used cryptocurrency, and cryptocurrency scams are one emerging vector that criminals use to target shoppers. These are trends worth watching.

Why It Matters

Beyond the obvious financial loss — which can range from a few dollars to thousands — online shopping scams erode trust in digital commerce. They also often lead to identity theft or unauthorized charges long after the initial incident.

The timing of the Pew report is especially relevant. Holiday shopping seasons, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday are peak times for scammers to flood the internet with fake deals. If you’re rushing to find gifts, you’re more likely to click on a questionable link or ignore a red flag.

Additionally, many people use payment methods that offer little to no chargeback protection. Debit cards, wire transfers, and peer-to-peer apps like Venmo or Cash App can be especially risky. Once the money is sent, it’s often gone for good.

What Readers Can Do

You don’t need to stop shopping online — just shop smarter. Here are concrete steps you can take right now:

1. Use a credit card, not a debit card or payment app.
Credit cards generally offer strong fraud protection. Under U.S. law, your liability for unauthorized charges is limited to $50 (often $0 if you report quickly). Debit cards have weaker protections, and payment apps are considered “voluntary” payments — hard to recover if sent to a scammer.

2. Check the website before you buy.
Look for these signs:

  • The URL starts with https:// (the “s” matters) and has a padlock icon.
  • The domain name matches the real store (e.g., “amazon.com” not “amzon-deals.co”).
  • The site has a working customer service phone number or email.
  • Reviews are consistently glowing but generic — run them through a search to see if they appear on multiple unrelated sites.

3. Be wary of “too good to be true” prices.
Scammers often lure people with massive discounts on luxury goods or electronics. If a $1,200 laptop is suddenly $300, it’s almost certainly a scam.

4. Avoid paying with wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
These are scammers’ favorite methods because they’re nearly impossible to reverse. Legitimate sellers don’t demand payment this way.

5. Don’t click links in unsolicited emails or texts about orders.
If you get a message saying “Your package is delayed — click here to update delivery,” navigate directly to the retailer’s official website or app. Phishing emails can look nearly identical to real ones from Amazon, FedEx, or PayPal.

6. If you are scammed, act fast.

  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to dispute the charge.
  • Change passwords on any accounts you may have used.
  • Consider placing a credit freeze if you shared personal information like your Social Security number.
  • Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC.gov) and your state consumer protection office. Even if they can’t get your money back, reports help track down scammers.

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, “Online Scams and Attacks in America Today,” July 2025.
  • Business Journal Daily, “About a Third of Americans Report Online Shopping Scams,” December 2025.
  • Pew Research Center, “Payment apps like Venmo and Cash App bring convenience – and security concerns – to some users,” September 2022.