1 in 3 Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam: How to Stay Safe
If you have bought anything online in the past few years—and most of us have—there’s a decent chance you’ve run into trouble. According to a new Pew Research Center survey, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s 33% of U.S. adults, and the number is higher among younger shoppers and people who buy frequently from unfamiliar sites.
The convenience of shopping from a phone or laptop comes with real risk. Scammers are getting better at making fake storefronts look legitimate, and they know exactly which buttons to push to get you to pay fast. The good news: most of these scams are preventable once you know what to look for.
What Happened
Pew’s survey, released in 2025, asked American adults about their experiences with online shopping fraud. The results show that non-delivery scams—where you pay for an item that never arrives—are the most common. Fake websites that mimic well-known retailers are also widespread, and payment app fraud (on platforms like Venmo, Cash App, and Zelle) is a growing problem. Younger adults, especially those under 30, reported higher rates of being scammed, likely because they shop more often on social media and smaller sites.
The research also found that many victims did not report the scam or lost money they never recovered. The scale of the problem is large enough that it affects nearly every demographic, not just the tech-naïve.
Why It Matters
Behind each statistic is a real loss—sometimes just a few dollars, but often hundreds. Victims also risk exposing their credit card numbers, addresses, and other personal data. Online shopping scams erode trust in digital marketplaces and can make people hesitant to buy from smaller businesses or use newer payment methods.
Scammers constantly adapt. As consumers learn to spot one type of fraud, criminals invent another. That’s why staying informed is not a one-time task—it’s an ongoing habit.
What You Can Do to Protect Yourself
No single step will guarantee safety, but combining a few basic practices cuts your risk significantly.
Use a credit card for online purchases. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards, and you can dispute charges more easily. Payment apps like Venmo and Cash App are convenient, but they were not designed for buying from strangers. If a seller insists on using one, that’s a red flag.
Stick to reputable platforms. Amazon, eBay, and other major sites have buyer protection programs. That doesn’t make them risk-free, but it’s far safer than buying from a random Instagram ad or a site you’ve never heard of.
Check the website before you buy. Look for clues: Is the domain name misspelled? Is the site filled with generic stock photos? Does it lack contact information or a physical address? Search for reviews of the store plus the word “scam” to see if others have complained.
Be skeptical of deals that sound too good. A 90% discount on a popular gadget is almost always a trick. Scammers use urgency tactics—“only 3 left!” or “sale ends in 10 minutes”—to push you into acting before you think.
Read product reviews with caution. Fake reviews are common. Use a tool like Fakespot or ReviewMeta to analyze the authenticity of reviews on major sites. If a product has dozens of five-star ratings but they all read the same, be suspicious.
What to Do If You’re Scammed
Even careful shoppers can get caught. If it happens, act quickly.
- Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately. Report the transaction as fraudulent and ask for a chargeback. Most credit cards give you 60 to 120 days to dispute a charge.
- Change your passwords, especially if you reused the same one across multiple accounts. Use a password manager to generate and store unique passwords.
- File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps authorities track scams and may assist in recovering funds.
- Monitor your bank and credit card statements for any other suspicious activity over the next few weeks.
Sources
- Pew Research Center, “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them,” 2025.
- Pew Research Center, “Online Scams and Attacks in America Today,” 2025.
- Pew Research Center, “Payment apps like Venmo and Cash App bring convenience – and security concerns – to some users,” 2022.
Online shopping is not going away, and neither are the scammers. But by understanding how these frauds work and taking a few precautions, you can protect your money and your personal information. Share what you’ve learned here—the more people know, the harder it is for scammers to succeed.