1 in 3 Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam: How to Protect Yourself

1 in 3 Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam: How to Protect Yourself

If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or clicked a “deal” link only to find your credit card used for purchases you didn’t make, you’re far from alone. New data from the Pew Research Center shows that roughly one in three American adults has experienced an online shopping scam. That’s a large enough share to suggest that these scams are not just isolated incidents but a routine risk of buying things over the internet. The good news is that most of these schemes follow predictable patterns, and with a little awareness you can avoid becoming another statistic.

What happened

In a report published in November 2025, Pew surveyed U.S. adults about their encounters with a range of digital frauds. The headline finding: about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. The survey, part of a broader study on online scams and attacks, also found that younger adults and those who shop frequently on social media or through payment apps reported higher rates of victimization. The numbers are consistent with other consumer protection data, which suggests the problem has been growing over the past few years.

Why it matters

Shopping scams are not just annoying; they can cost real money and lead to identity theft. Unlike a defective product you can return, a scam often leaves you with nothing – no item, no refund, and sometimes a compromised account. The Pew data confirms that this is a widespread issue, not something that only happens to people who “should have known better.” Scammers have become sophisticated: fake websites look nearly identical to real ones, phishing emails mimic trusted retailers, and too-good-to-be-true prices trigger the same impulse as a clearance sale.

Additionally, the rise of payment apps like Venmo and Cash App has created new vulnerabilities. Unlike credit cards, these services often lack built-in fraud protection when you send money to someone you don’t know. If you pay for an item through a payment app and the seller disappears, you will likely have little recourse.

What readers can do

The following steps won’t guarantee complete safety, but they will reduce your odds of losing money or personal data to an online shopping scam.

1. Verify the seller before you buy. If you’re looking at a site you haven’t used before, search for the business name plus “scam” or “review.” Check for contact information – a real address and phone number. Be wary of stores that only accept payment apps or wire transfers. On marketplaces like eBay or Etsy, look at the seller’s history and read recent reviews.

2. Use a credit card for online purchases. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards or payment apps. If you don’t get what you ordered, you can dispute the charge. For large purchases, consider a virtual credit card number (many issuers offer them) that can be used once and then expires.

3. Enable purchase alerts. Set up text or email notifications for every transaction over a certain amount. That way you’ll see a fraudulent charge quickly and can report it before more damage is done.

4. Watch for red flags in the URL and the message. A secure address (https://) is a basic hygiene factor, but not a guarantee. Look for misspellings in the domain (like “amaz0n.com”). Emails that claim you’ve won a gift card or that a package is delayed – and ask you to click a link – are likely phishing attempts. Do not click. Instead, open a new browser tab and go directly to the retailer’s website.

5. Avoid public Wi-Fi for transactions. Free Wi-Fi at coffee shops or airports can be intercepted. If you need to make a purchase while out, use your phone’s mobile data or a VPN you trust.

6. If you are scammed, act quickly. Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Change the password on any account you used. Do not be embarrassed; reporting helps protect others.

Shopping online doesn’t have to be risky. By taking a few extra seconds to verify a seller and using payment methods with built-in protections, you can enjoy the convenience without giving scammers a foothold.

Sources

• Pew Research Center, “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them,” November 2025. https://www.pewresearch.org/… (link to original study)
• Pew Research Center, “Online Scams and Attacks in America Today,” July 2025.