1 in 3 Americans Has Been Scammed Online – Here’s How to Avoid It

Online shopping is now a daily habit for millions of Americans. But a new survey from Pew Research Center highlights a troubling trend: about one in three U.S. adults say they have been the victim of an online shopping scam.

That figure should give any frequent shopper pause. It’s not just a few unlucky people getting caught by poorly spelled phishing emails. The data shows that these scams are widespread and can affect anyone, though some groups are more vulnerable than others. Below we’ll walk through what the Pew research tells us, the most common scams you’re likely to encounter, and practical steps you can take to avoid losing money or personal information.

What the Pew Data Reveals

The Pew survey, conducted in 2025, found that 33% of U.S. adults reported experiencing an online shopping scam. That means nearly 85 million people. The scams ranged from fake websites that took payments and never delivered goods, to fraudulent social media ads, to payment app tricks where sellers disappear after receiving money.

The research also found that older adults and people with lower household incomes were disproportionately affected. That pattern aligns with what consumer protection agencies have reported for years: scammers often target those who may be less familiar with digital payment systems or more likely to trust a convincing-looking email.

Common Online Shopping Scams

Phishing emails and texts. A message arrives that looks like it’s from Amazon, Walmart, or your bank. It says there’s a problem with your order or account, and a link prompts you to log in. The link leads to a fake site designed to steal your credentials.

Fake retailer websites. A site offers a popular item at a price that seems too good to be true. The design looks professional, but the domain name might be off by a letter (e.g., “amaz0n.com”). You place an order and pay, but the item never arrives.

Social media marketplace fraud. On platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Instagram, a seller advertises something at a steep discount. They insist on payment via Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle before shipping. After you send the money, they disappear.

Too-good-to-be-true deals. Scammers advertise high‑end electronics, designer clothing, or even pets at unbelievably low prices. The urgency (“Only 2 left! Buy now!”) pushes you to act without checking the site’s legitimacy.

Red Flags to Watch For

  • Unrealistic discounts. If a new smartphone is 70% off, it is almost certainly a scam.
  • Requests for unusual payment methods. Legitimate sellers accept credit cards or trusted platforms like PayPal (with buyer protection). If a seller demands gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, walk away.
  • Poor website quality. Odd grammar, blurry product images, missing contact information, or no return policy are warning signs.
  • A sense of urgency. Scammers often pressure you to “act now” or “limited time offer” to bypass your skepticism.

How to Protect Yourself

Use a credit card for online purchases. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards or payment apps. If a scam occurs, you can dispute the charge with the card issuer. Debit cards and apps like Venmo (unless using its goods and services option) offer much less recourse.

Stick to well‑known retailers. If you find a great deal on a site you’ve never heard of, research it first. Look for reviews, check the Better Business Bureau, and see if the company has a physical address and customer service phone number.

Check for HTTPS and verify the URL. Before entering payment information, make sure the website address starts with “https://” and that the domain name is spelled correctly. A padlock icon in the address bar is not a guarantee of safety, but its absence is a strong warning.

Enable two‑factor authentication on your email and shopping accounts. This adds an extra step to log in, making it harder for scammers to take over your account even if they get your password.

Avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages. Instead, go directly to the retailer’s website by typing the URL into your browser. If you get a suspicious email about an order, log into your account through the official site to check for real notifications.

What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed

If you realize you’ve fallen for an online shopping scam, act quickly:

  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to report the transaction and ask for a chargeback or reversal.
  • Change the passwords on any accounts you may have shared on a fake site.
  • Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps law enforcement track patterns and may prevent others from being victimized.
  • If you used a payment app, open a dispute through the app’s support system. Be aware that success is not guaranteed, especially if you used the “friends and family” option.

The Bottom Line

The Pew survey confirms what consumer advocates have been saying for years: online shopping scams are a shared risk that affects one in three Americans. The good news is that most of these scams rely on the same few tactics. Once you know what to look for, you can shop with more confidence.

Stay skeptical of deals that sound too good to be true, use payment methods that protect you, and always verify the legitimacy of a site before handing over your money or personal information. A few extra seconds of caution can save you from the headache of lost funds and compromised data.

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.
  • Federal Trade Commission, “How to avoid an online shopping scam,” consumer advice page.