1 in 3 Americans Has Been Scammed While Shopping Online: How to Avoid Being Next
Nearly a third of U.S. adults say an online shopping scam has happened to them, according to a new report from the Pew Research Center. With holiday shopping already underway and major sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday approaching, the timing of this data is a good reminder to slow down before you click “buy.”
The Pew survey, released in November 2025, found that 31 percent of Americans have personally experienced an online shopping scam—meaning a situation where someone attempted to or actually defrauded them over a product or service they ordered online. That’s roughly one in three people. The figure aligns with other federal data: the Federal Trade Commission consistently lists online shopping scams among the top fraud categories, with billions lost annually.
What’s driving these numbers? A few trends stand out. First, the sheer volume of online transactions has risen sharply since the pandemic, giving scammers a bigger pool of targets. Second, social media and influencer advertising have opened new avenues for deception. A separate Pew survey from 2024 found that a majority of U.S. TikTok users rely on the platform for product reviews and recommendations, a space where fake stores and counterfeit goods are common. Third, payment apps like Venmo and Cash App are now widely used for purchases, but they often lack the fraud protections that credit cards offer.
Why This Matters Now
Scams spike during the holiday season. Pressure from limited-time deals, fake urgency (“only 3 left!”), and unfamiliar retailers can make even careful shoppers slip. A fake website that mimics a well-known brand, an email that looks like a shipping confirmation, or an ad for a product at an impossibly low price are all common tactics. Once you lose money through a wire transfer, gift card, or peer-to-peer payment app, it is very difficult to get it back.
What Readers Can Do
There is no single solution, but a few habits can cut your risk significantly.
Check the seller carefully. If you are on a site you have never used before, look for contact information, a physical address, and customer service phone number. Search for the store name plus “scam” or “review” to see if others have been burned. Be skeptical of sites with no trace of negative feedback—scammers often delete complaints or use fake review factories.
Look at the URL and payment page. A secure connection (https://) is basic, but not sufficient. Scammers now use SSL certificates too. Instead, focus on the domain: misspellings like “amaz0n.com” or “walmart-deals.net” are clear warnings. On the checkout page, see if the payment method options are familiar. If the only choices are cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or gift cards, stop immediately. Legitimate retailers accept credit cards, PayPal, or other mainstream methods.
Use a credit card when possible. Credit cards generally offer stronger dispute rights than debit cards or payment apps. Under U.S. law, you can dispute unauthorized charges, and many card issuers have zero-liability policies. If you must use a payment app, use the “goods and services” option (which provides buyer protection on platforms like PayPal) rather than the “friends and family” setting.
Turn on two-factor authentication for your retail accounts. It is not a direct defense against scams, but it makes it harder for someone who phishes your password to take over your account and place fraudulent orders.
Be wary of unsolicited offers. Scammers often send emails or text messages that appear to be from a store, carrier, or bank with a link to track a package, claim a prize, or confirm a purchase. Never click the link. Instead, go directly to the retailer’s website or app and check your order history.
What to Do If You Are Scammed
Even careful shoppers can get caught. If you realize you have been tricked, act quickly.
- Contact your bank or credit card issuer to report the transaction. They may be able to stop or reverse the payment, especially if you act within the first few days.
- File a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. This helps law enforcement track patterns and may lead to recovery in some cases.
- Change your passwords for the affected accounts and any accounts where you reused the same password.
- Monitor your credit for several months. Scammers sometimes sell your information to others who will try opening accounts in your name. You can freeze your credit for free with the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).
Staying One Step Ahead
Scammers adapt quickly to new platforms and consumer habits. There will always be some risk when shopping online, but taking a moment to verify a seller, using a payment method with protections, and keeping an eye out for red flags can keep you out of the one-in-three statistic. This holiday season, treat every unexpected deal the same way you would treat an unsolicited call asking for your bank details: pause, verify, and if it feels off, walk away.
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. “Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book.” 2024 and annual editions.