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

A recent study from Pew Research Center found that about a third of Americans say they’ve experienced an online shopping scam. That number is high enough to make anyone think twice before hitting “buy now.” The good news is that most of these scams follow predictable patterns, and once you know what to look for, you can avoid them without much effort.

This article walks through what the Pew data tells us, why it matters for regular shoppers, and—most importantly—concrete steps you can take right now to protect yourself.

What Happened

In November 2025, Pew Research Center published a survey on Americans’ experiences with online scams. The key figure: roughly one in three adults reported that they had fallen for an online shopping scam at some point. The survey covered a range of fraudulent schemes, including fake websites, phishing emails that looked like order confirmations, and social media advertisements that led to counterfeit or nonexistent products.

The findings are part of a broader look at digital fraud. Pew has also tracked the rise of payment app scams and the growing use of cryptocurrency, which introduces new risks. But the shopping scam numbers stand out because they touch nearly everyone who shops online.

Why It Matters

One-third of Americans is not a small niche. For context, that means tens of millions of people have lost money, had their personal information stolen, or spent hours untangling fraudulent charges. The scams often target impulse buyers, deal hunters, and people who are less familiar with how to verify a seller.

The ripple effects go beyond the immediate loss. Once scammers have your credit card number or email address, they can sell it or use it in further schemes. The emotional toll—anger, embarrassment, distrust—also makes people less willing to shop online, which hurts legitimate businesses.

What Readers Can Do

You can reduce your odds of being scammed without turning shopping into a chore. Here are the most effective steps, based on what fraud experts and consumer protection agencies recommend.

Learn the Common Scam Patterns

Most online shopping scams fall into a few categories:

  • Fake websites that mimic big retailers or brand-name stores. They often have slightly misspelled URLs (amaz0n.com instead of amazon.com) or use .net when the real site uses .com.
  • Too-good-to-be-true deals on social media. You see a luxury handbag or a new gadget for a fraction of the regular price. The ad may be from a page that was created only days ago.
  • Phishing emails or texts that appear to be order confirmations from companies you’ve never bought from. The message says “thank you for your order” and asks you to click a link to cancel or track it. Clicking the link leads to a fake login page designed to steal your credentials.
  • Payment app requests. Someone asks you to pay via Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle for a product they’re selling. These platforms rarely offer buyer protection for purchases from strangers.

Look for Red Flags Before You Pay

Before you hand over your credit card number, check these things:

  • The domain name. Hover over the URL (don’t click) and read the full address. Scammers often use subtle variations.
  • Spelling and grammar. Professional retailers rarely have typos in their product descriptions or checkout pages.
  • Contact information. A real business will have a working customer service phone number and a physical address you can verify. If the only contact method is a contact form, be suspicious.
  • Reviews. Search the store name plus the word “scam” or “review.” Also check the Better Business Bureau or Trustpilot. Keep in mind that some fake reviews exist, but a total absence of reviews is also a red flag.

Use Safe Payment Methods

Credit cards offer the strongest consumer protections. Under U.S. law, you can dispute unauthorized charges and often get your money back. Debit cards have weaker protections. Payment apps like Venmo and Cash App should only be used with people you know. If a seller insists on a wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or a prepaid gift card, walk away. Those are almost impossible to reverse.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication on Your Accounts

This extra step won’t prevent you from entering a fake site, but it will protect you if a scammer gets your password. Many online retailers and payment services offer two-factor authentication (2FA). Turn it on now, not after something happens.

What to Do If You Think You’ve Been Scammed

Act quickly:

  1. Contact your bank or credit card company immediately. Tell them you believe a transaction is fraudulent. They can stop the payment and reissue your card.
  2. Change the passwords on any accounts you used on the suspicious site. Use a unique, strong password for each site if possible. A password manager makes this easier.
  3. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps them track patterns and may lead to enforcement actions.
  4. If the scam involved identity theft (the scammer has your Social Security number or other sensitive data), go to identitytheft.gov for a personalized recovery plan.

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.

Staying safe online doesn’t require paranoia—just a little knowledge and a few habits. The best defense is to slow down, verify before you pay, and know that if something feels off, it probably is.