1 in 3 Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam – Here’s How to Protect Yourself

A new study from the Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, reveals that roughly one in three American adults has personally experienced an online shopping scam. That figure puts the problem squarely in the mainstream: whether you shop on Amazon, Instagram, or a small independent site, the chance that you or someone close to you has been targeted is surprisingly high. This article breaks down the data, explains why it matters, and offers practical steps to avoid becoming a statistic.

What Happened

Pew’s survey found that 33% of U.S. adults say they have been the victim of an online shopping scam. The study, part of a broader report on online scams and attacks, also noted that younger adults, frequent social media users, and those who shop via mobile apps reported higher rates of victimization. The most common scams involved fake websites, phishing emails that mimicked retailers, and fraudulent ads on social media platforms such as Facebook and TikTok.

These scams typically work in one of two ways: either the buyer pays for an item that never arrives, or the scammer collects personal and financial information under the pretense of processing a purchase. In some cases, the “product” is counterfeit or significantly different from what was advertised.

Why It Matters

The one-in-three figure isn’t just a headline statistic. It means that in any group of friends or family members, several are likely to have been burned by a fake listing or a phishing link. For consumers, the financial losses can range from a few dollars to thousands, and the emotional toll—frustration, embarrassment, worry about identity theft—is real.

Online shopping scams also erode trust in legitimate e‑commerce. When people become wary of clicking links or trying new vendors, small businesses that operate honestly suffer. Moreover, scammers are getting more sophisticated: they use realistic website templates, fake customer reviews, and even compromised social media accounts to make their offers look genuine.

Understanding the scale and the methods is the first step toward protecting yourself and your money.

What Readers Can Do

Recognize the red flags

  • Too‑good‑to‑be‑true prices. If a luxury handbag is listed for 90% off, it’s almost certainly a scam.
  • Suspicious URLs. Look for misspellings (e.g., “amaz0n.com” instead of “amazon.com”) or unusual top‑level domains like “.shop” or “.xyz” when you expect a well‑known brand.
  • Poor website quality. Blurry images, broken links, odd grammar, and missing contact information are warning signs.
  • Pressure to act fast. Scammers often say “limited stock” or “sale ends in 10 minutes” to rush you into a decision.
  • Unusual payment methods. Requests for wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency are classic red flags. Legitimate retailers accept credit cards and established payment services.

Use safe payment methods

Credit cards and reputable payment services like PayPal, Apple Pay, or Google Pay offer far better fraud protection than debit cards, cash, or peer‑to‑peer payment apps (Venmo, Cash App). With a credit card, you can often dispute a charge and get your money back. With a debit card, the money is already gone from your bank account, and recovery is harder.

Verify before you buy

  • Check independent reviews on sites like Trustpilot or the Better Business Bureau.
  • Search for the store’s name plus “scam” or “complaint” to see if others have reported problems.
  • For social media ads, look at the account history. Brand‑new accounts with no followers and a single post are likely fake.
  • Hover over links before clicking to see the actual URL.

What to do if you’ve been scammed

Act quickly:

  1. Contact your bank or credit card issuer. Report the transaction and request a chargeback or fraud investigation.
  2. Change passwords for any accounts you may have used on the scam site, especially if you reused that password elsewhere. Enable two‑factor authentication where possible.
  3. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps authorities track trends and may assist in shutting down the operation.
  4. Monitor your accounts for unusual activity over the next several weeks.

Sources

  • Pew Research Center, “Online Scams and Attacks in America Today,” November 19, 2025.
  • Pew Research Center, “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them,” November 19, 2025.
  • Federal Trade Commission, “ReportFraud.ftc.gov.”

The takeaway is straightforward: online shopping scams are common, but you can lower your risk significantly by staying alert, using secure payment methods, and acting fast if something goes wrong. A few minutes of caution can save you from a lot of trouble.