1 in 3 Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam: Here’s How to Stay Safe
Intro
Online shopping is convenient, but it comes with risks that are more common than many people realize. A recent Pew Research Center survey found that about a third of U.S. adults—34 percent—say they have experienced an online shopping scam. With the holiday shopping season approaching, and more people turning to social media ads and payment apps for purchases, the chance of running into a fraudulent offer is only going up.
This article covers what the data actually shows, why it matters for everyday shoppers, and—most importantly—what you can do to avoid becoming part of that statistic.
What happened
The Pew Research Center report, published November 2025, asked a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults about their experience with online scams. The 34 percent figure covers any incident where a person lost money or had personal information stolen after being tricked by a fake online store, too-good-to-be-true deal, or fraudulent ad.
The survey is part of a broader Pew project on online scams and attacks in America. Earlier work from the center also found that payment app users frequently cite security concerns, and that a majority of TikTok users turn to the platform for product reviews and recommendations—both of which are environments where scammers are active.
Why it matters
One in three Americans is a large number. It means that the problem is not rare or limited to the least careful shoppers. Scammers have become sophisticated. They create professional-looking websites, buy fake positive reviews, and place ads on legitimate social media platforms. The rise of peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo, Cash App, and Zelle has also made it easier for fraudsters to ask for money in ways that are hard to reverse.
For shoppers who rely on social media for deals or who regularly buy from small sellers on Instagram, Facebook Marketplace, or TikTok Shop, the risk is even higher. Pew data shows that many users treat social media as a shopping discovery tool, but platforms vary widely in how they vet sellers.
The consequences go beyond losing a few dollars. A successful scam can mean stolen credit card numbers, compromised bank accounts, or identity theft. During the holiday season, when people are already stressed and in a hurry, scammers count on reduced caution.
What readers can do
The good news is that most scams follow patterns you can learn to recognize. Here are practical steps based on common tactics reported in security research and consumer protection guidance.
Check the seller before you pay. Before entering payment information, verify the store’s legitimacy. Look for a physical address and a customer service phone number that works. Search for the store name plus “scam” or “complaint” to see if others have reported problems. For an unfamiliar website, check the domain age—new domains (less than a year) are riskier. Tools like Whois lookup can show when a domain was registered.
Be skeptical of prices that are far below market value. A brand-new electronics item listed at 80 percent off is almost certainly a lure. Scammers use prices that trigger excitement to override your caution.
Avoid wiring money or using payment apps for purchases from strangers. Credit cards offer the strongest consumer protections. If you must use a payment app, use the “goods and services” option where available (it often includes purchase protection fees). Sending money via wire transfer or to a friend on Zelle or Cash App for a purchase is essentially the same as handing over cash—you have almost no recourse if something goes wrong.
Look for URL and design red flags. Fake shopping sites often use slightly misspelled domain names (like “amaz0n.com”) or .biz / .top extensions. The site may have poor grammar, broken images, or an incomplete checkout process. Legitimate businesses invest in polished experiences. If the site looks sloppy, it’s probably fraudulent.
Know what to do if you are scammed. Act fast. Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to dispute the charge and freeze the card. File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If you used a payment app, report the transaction through the app’s support system. If your personal information was exposed, place a fraud alert on your credit reports with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Treat social media ads like paid endorsements, not recommendations. Scammers can run ads that look like genuine content from friends or influencers. Clicking a link in an ad should be treated the same as clicking a link in an unsolicited email. Verify the seller independently before buying.
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.
- Pew Research Center, “Payment app users say they make paying easier, but security a concern for some,” September 2022.
- Pew Research Center, “A majority of U.S. TikTok users are there for product reviews and recommendations,” November 2024.
Staying safe online doesn’t require paranoia, just a few extra seconds of caution before you click “buy.” The data shows the problem is widespread, but with the right habits, you can lower your risk considerably.