1 in 3 Americans Has Been Scammed While Shopping Online — Here’s How to Stay Safe

If you shop online, you’re not alone in worrying about scams. A new report from the Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, found that about a third of U.S. adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That’s a large number, and it’s worth paying attention to as holiday shopping picks up and more of us are clicking “buy” from our phones or laptops.

The good news is that most scams follow predictable patterns. Once you know what to look for, you can avoid them.

What the Pew research actually found

The report, titled “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them,” surveyed a representative sample of U.S. adults. It found that 32% of respondents reported being the victim of at least one online shopping scam. That includes things like paying for goods that never arrived, receiving counterfeit items, or being tricked into giving away personal or financial information on fake shopping sites.

Scams were more common among younger adults and those who shop frequently on social media platforms. But no age group or income bracket was immune.

Why this matters now

Online shopping has become routine, and scammers have gotten better at blending in. Fake websites look professional. Phishing emails mimic order confirmations. Social media ads sometimes lead to stores that exist only long enough to take your money.

The risk isn’t just losing the cost of a product. Scammers often collect credit card numbers, addresses, and even passwords that can be used for larger fraud later. That’s part of why the Pew data is worth taking seriously: a single bad click can lead to more than a missing package.

What you can actually do to protect yourself

You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to shop safely. Most of the steps are simple and take only a few seconds. Here’s what works:

Check the retailer before you buy. If you’ve never heard of the store, do a quick search with the word “scam” or “review” after the name. Look for complaints about nondelivery or poor quality. Also check the website’s “About” page and contact information. Legitimate businesses typically have a physical address and a working customer service number.

Look for the padlock icon in the address bar. That little lock means the site uses encryption (HTTPS). It’s not a guarantee of safety, but it’s a basic requirement. Avoid entering payment information on any site that doesn’t have it.

Stick with payment methods that offer fraud protection. Credit cards are generally the safest option because you can dispute charges. PayPal also offers buyer protection in many cases. Avoid wire transfers, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or payment apps like Venmo and Cash App when buying from unknown sellers. Those methods are nearly impossible to reverse.

Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. That 90% off a popular gadget is almost always a scam. High-pressure tactics like “only three left” or “sale ends in one hour” are designed to make you skip caution.

Check product reviews for signs of fakery. Genuine reviews include specific details, varied language, and occasional complaints. If dozens of reviews say the exact same thing in the same tone, they could be fake. You can also use tools like Fakespot or ReviewMeta to analyze reviews.

Don’t click links in unsolicited emails or social messages. Scammers often send fake order confirmations or shipping notifications that lead to phishing sites. Always go directly to the retailer’s website by typing the address yourself.

Trust your gut. If something feels off about a listing, a seller’s communication, or a website’s appearance, step back. You can always find another seller.

What to do if you think you’ve been scammed

Even careful shoppers get caught sometimes. If it happens, act quickly:

  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer to report the fraudulent charge. They can often reverse it if you act within a certain window.
  • Change your passwords, especially if you used the same password elsewhere.
  • Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps law enforcement track scam operations.
  • If you gave out personal information like your Social Security number, consider freezing your credit with the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).

The bottom line

Online shopping scams are common, but they’re also avoidable. The Pew data reminds us that a large number of Americans have been burned, yet many more haven’t. The difference often comes down to a few simple habits: verifying the seller, using safe payment methods, and slowing down before clicking.

As you shop this season, keep those habits in mind. A little caution goes a long way.

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.
  • Federal Trade Commission. “How to avoid online shopping scams.” ftc.gov.