1 in 3 Americans has been scammed while shopping online. Here’s how to protect yourself.
A new report from the Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, puts a number on something many of us have suspected: online shopping scams are not rare. About one in three U.S. adults say they have fallen victim to a scam while shopping online. As the holiday season approaches, that figure is worth keeping in mind.
What the Pew data shows
The report, titled “About 1 in 3 Americans say they experienced an online shopping scam,” is part of a broader Pew study on online scams and attacks. Researchers surveyed a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. Key findings include:
- Overall prevalence: 33% of respondents reported that they had experienced an online shopping scam. That means tens of millions of American adults have been affected.
- Demographic differences: Younger adults (those under 50) were more likely than older adults to report being scammed. However, older adults who did fall victim tended to lose more money.
- Common scam types: The most frequently cited scams involved fake websites (often mimicking legitimate retailers), fraudulent social media ads for products that never arrived, and phishing emails pretending to be from well-known stores.
The findings are consistent with earlier Pew data from July 2025 (in the report “Online Scams and Attacks in America Today”), which showed that online shopping scams were among the most common types of cybercrime Americans encountered.
Why it matters now
The timing of this report is not coincidental. Holiday shopping season – Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the weeks that follow – is when scammers are most active. People are looking for deals, under time pressure, and more willing to click unfamiliar links. A recent article from Fingerlakes1.com highlighted “Black Friday scams” as a growing concern, and other outlets have reported on fake florist scams tied to Mother’s Day. Fraud follows the calendar.
The financial impact is real. Beyond the dollar loss, being scammed can mean compromised payment credentials, stolen identity information, and weeks of work to resolve with banks and credit bureaus. For many, it also erodes trust in online shopping altogether.
What you can do to protect yourself
Based on the data and common patterns, here are concrete steps that help reduce risk:
1. Check the website before you buy
Scammers create sites that look nearly identical to real stores. Look closely at the URL for misspellings or unusual domain endings (like .shop or .xyz when the real site uses .com). If you’re not sure, visit the store’s website by typing the address yourself rather than clicking a link from an email or ad.
2. Use secure payment methods
Credit cards offer the strongest consumer protections under U.S. law. Debit cards and payment apps (like Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle) offer much less recourse. If a seller asks you to pay with a gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency, that is a major red flag.
3. Read reviews – but carefully
Scammers often post fake positive reviews. Look for reviews that mention specific details about the product or shipping experience, not just generic praise. Check third-party review sites or use search tools like “site name + scam” to see if others have reported problems.
4. Avoid shopping on public Wi-Fi
Public networks in coffee shops or airports can be intercepted. If you must use one, ensure the website uses HTTPS (the padlock icon in the address bar). Even better, use your phone’s cellular data or a VPN.
5. Be skeptical of deals that seem too good
If a price is far below what other retailers offer, it is often a bait-and-switch. Scammers count on the emotional pull of a “limited-time offer.” Pause, compare prices, and verify the store.
What to do if you think you’ve been scammed
If you suspect a purchase was a scam, act quickly:
- Contact your credit card company or bank to dispute the charge and request a new card number.
- Change passwords for any accounts where you may have reused login credentials.
- Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- If you shared personal data (like your Social Security number), consider freezing your credit with the three major bureaus.
No set of precautions guarantees 100% safety, but following these steps dramatically lowers your chances. The Pew data makes one thing clear: online shopping scams are widespread enough that we should all treat them as a normal risk – and take basic steps to avoid them.
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).