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

If you’ve ever clicked a “too good to be true” deal and later realized the site was fake, you’re far from alone. New research from Pew Research Center finds that about one in three U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. The figure, published in November 2025, is a reminder that fraudulent sellers and phishing schemes are not rare edge cases but a regular hazard for consumers.

What happened

Pew’s survey asked Americans whether they had ever fallen victim to or been targeted by an online shopping scam. Roughly 34 percent said yes. That includes fake websites that take payments and never deliver goods, phishing emails impersonating legitimate stores, and sellers on social media who disappear after a sale. The data also shows that mobile shoppers and people who follow influencer recommendations are especially exposed. A related Pew report from earlier in 2025 noted that scams and attacks remain among the most common online threats Americans face, with shopping fraud one of the most frequent types.

Why it matters

With the holiday shopping season already underway, the risk multiplies. Fake storefronts pop up around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, often promoted through social media ads or emails that look like they come from major retailers. The pressure of limited-time discounts encourages hasty clicks. Scammers know this. The Pew numbers confirm that large numbers of people have been caught at least once. Even if you have been lucky so far, knowing the patterns can save you money and personal data.

What readers can do

Protecting yourself does not require advanced technical skills. The following steps are straightforward and grounded in what experts recommend.

  • Check the website before you buy. Look for contact information, a physical address, and a professional appearance. Search for the store name plus “scam” or “complaint.” If the domain was registered only a few weeks ago, treat it with suspicion.
  • Pay with a credit card, not a debit card or wire transfer. Credit cards offer better fraud protection. If a site asks for gift cards, cryptocurrency, or a bank transfer, walk away. Those are nearly impossible to reverse.
  • Beware of unsolicited emails and text messages. Scammers often send messages that claim you have won a prize or that a package could not be delivered. Do not click links in those messages. Instead, go directly to the retailer’s website.
  • Use a single virtual credit card or payment service when possible. Services such as PayPal or Apple Pay add a layer of separation between your bank account and the seller. Some banks also offer temporary card numbers.
  • Read product reviews with caution. Fake reviews are common. Look for reviews that mention specific details about the product, not just generic praise. Check the reviewer’s history if the platform allows.
  • Keep your devices and browser updated. Security patches fix vulnerabilities that scammers exploit. Enable automatic updates if you can.

If you do fall for a scam, act quickly. Contact your bank or credit card issuer to dispute the charge. Report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Change any passwords you may have entered on the fake site.

The Pew data makes one thing clear: online shopping scams are not going away. The best defense is a habit of cautious skepticism, especially when a deal seems extraordinary. That mindset, combined with the simple steps above, will reduce your chances of becoming part of that one-in-three statistic.

Sources

  • Pew Research Center: “About 1 in 3 Americans say they experienced an online shopping scam” (November 2025)
  • Pew Research Center: “Online Scams and Attacks in America Today” (July 2025)
  • Fingerlakes1.com: “BLACK FRIDAY SCAMS: What to watch out for online this year” (November 2025)
  • Federal Trade Commission: ReportFraud.ftc.gov