1 in 3 Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam: Here’s What You Can Do

Intro

New data from Pew Research Center shows that online shopping scams are far from rare. According to a survey published in November 2025, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That statistic alone is worth pausing over—especially if you regularly buy things through social media ads, secondhand marketplaces, or payment apps. The good news is that most of these scams follow patterns you can learn to recognize. Below is a breakdown of what the study found, why it matters, and the concrete steps you can take to avoid becoming part of the next statistic.

What Happened

Pew Research Center’s report, part of a broader look at online scams and attacks in America, found that 31% of U.S. adults have personally experienced an online shopping scam. The researchers asked about a range of fraud types, and shopping scams were among the most common. The study also noted that younger adults and those who use social media for shopping reported higher rates of being scammed. Previous Pew work has shown that payment apps like Venmo and Cash App raise security concerns for many users, and that a majority of TikTok users rely on the platform for product reviews—two factors that can increase scam exposure.

Why It Matters

Online shopping scams aren’t just annoying—they can cost real money and compromise your personal information. A single fake listing or phishing link can drain a bank account or expose credit card numbers. Because many scams target payment apps or wire transfers, victims often have little recourse compared to credit card purchases, where fraud protection is stronger. The prevalence of these scams also erodes trust in e-commerce, especially on platforms where users are already wary. Understanding the common tactics gives you a genuine advantage, not just in avoiding loss but in making safer buying decisions overall.

What Readers Can Do

Spot the red flags before you pay

  • Fake websites and lookalike domains. Scammers often register addresses that are one letter off from a known retailer (e.g., “amaz0n-deals.com”). Check the URL carefully before entering payment info.
  • Too-good-to-be-true prices. If a new electronics item is listed at 80% off on a site you’ve never heard of, it’s almost certainly a scam. Legitimate clearance sales exist, but extreme discounts on high-demand items are a strong warning sign.
  • Fake reviews and social media ads. Many scam listings are promoted through paid ads on Facebook or Instagram, with reviews that are copied from other products. Look for reviews that are generic, overly positive, or posted within a short time window.
  • Pressure to use payment apps. Sellers who insist on Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, or wire transfer—especially for shipped goods—are often trying to bypass buyer protection. These payment methods are difficult to reverse once sent.

Protect your payment method

  • Use a credit card for online purchases whenever possible. Under federal law (Fair Credit Billing Act), you can dispute unauthorized charges and are generally liable for no more than $50. Many cards also offer zero-liability policies.
  • If you use a debit card, enable transaction alerts and monitor your account closely. Debit card fraud can drain your checking account directly, and recovering funds may take longer.
  • Avoid saving payment info on unknown sites. Use a virtual credit card number or a one-time card option if your bank offers it.

What to do if you think you’ve been scammed

  • Contact your bank or card issuer immediately. They can freeze the transaction, issue a chargeback, or reverse the payment (depending on the method). For debit cards or payment apps, time is critical.
  • Change passwords for any accounts you used during the transaction, especially if you reused that password elsewhere.
  • Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC uses these reports to track patterns and shut down fraudulent operations. You can also report to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) if the scam involved significantly large loss.
  • If the scam happened on a platform like Facebook Marketplace or eBay, report the seller directly. Those platforms have their own dispute processes, though they are not always reliable.

Sources

  • Pew Research Center, “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them” (November 19, 2025)
  • Pew Research Center, “Online Scams and Attacks in America Today” (July 31, 2025)
  • Pew Research Center, “Payment apps like Venmo and Cash App bring convenience – and security concerns – to some users” (September 8, 2022)