1 in 3 Americans Has Been Scammed While Shopping Online: How to Protect Yourself
A new report from the Pew Research Center finds that roughly a third of U.S. adults have experienced an online shopping scam. The timing matters: with holiday spending in full swing and more people hunting for deals on social media and payment apps, the risks are higher than ever.
What the Pew Data Shows
Pew’s November 2025 survey asked Americans whether they had ever been the victim of an online shopping scam. About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That statistic cuts across age groups, but younger adults — particularly those who use payment apps like Venmo or Cash App — reported higher rates. The scams they described ranged from fake websites that mimic major retailers to phishing emails claiming order problems to social media ads that lead to fraudulent storefronts.
The report also highlights a disconnect: most people say they know to look for red flags like unusually low prices or requests for payment via gift cards and cryptocurrency, but the scams still work because they exploit trust and urgency.
Why These Scams Keep Working
Online shopping scams succeed for a few reasons.
First, they look real. Fraudsters can copy a retailer’s logo, layout, and even URL to create a near-perfect fake site. Second, they create pressure — limited-time offers that vanish if you don’t act immediately, or fake “order confirmation” emails that make you panic and click a link. Third, many shoppers now rely on mobile payment apps that offer less fraud protection than credit cards. If you send money through Venmo or Cash App for a product that never arrives, getting that money back is difficult.
Social media is another vector. Pew has previously found that a majority of TikTok users rely on the platform for product reviews and recommendations. Scammers exploit that trust by posting fake reviews or running ads for products that don’t exist.
How to Protect Yourself
The good news is that a few straightforward habits can cut your risk substantially.
Use a credit card when possible. Credit cards offer strong fraud protection under federal law. If a scammer charges your card for something you didn’t authorize, you can dispute the charge. Debit cards, bank transfers, and payment apps do not offer the same level of protection.
Research the seller before you buy. If you’re on a site you don’t know, search for the business name plus “scam” or “complaint.” Check the URL carefully — scammers often use misspellings or extra characters (for example, “amaz0n.com” instead of “amazon.com”).
Enable two-factor authentication on your shopping accounts and payment apps. This extra step makes it harder for someone to break into your account even if they steal your password.
Avoid clicking unsolicited links. If you get an email or text claiming your order is delayed or that you need to confirm a purchase, go directly to the retailer’s website instead of clicking the link. Genuine order notifications will also appear in your account dashboard.
Be skeptical of deals that seem too good. If a brand-new video game console or designer handbag is listed at a fraction of the normal price, it’s almost certainly a scam. Scammers count on you wanting to believe the deal is real.
Never pay with gift cards or cryptocurrency for a product from an unfamiliar seller. Legitimate businesses do not ask for these payment methods. If someone insists on them, stop all communication.
What to Do If You Are Scammed
If you realize you’ve been scammed, act quickly. Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to report the fraudulent charge and ask for a reversal. If you used a payment app, report the transaction through the app’s support system — but be aware that the odds of recovery are low.
File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. While the FTC cannot recover your money in most cases, your report helps them track patterns and may lead to enforcement actions.
If your payment card number was compromised, consider freezing your credit with the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) to prevent identity theft. You can do this for free and it does not affect your existing accounts.
The Bottom Line
Online shopping is not inherently unsafe, but the convenience carries real risks. The new Pew data confirms that even experienced shoppers get caught. By staying skeptical, using payment methods with good protections, and acting quickly if something goes wrong, you can lower the odds of becoming the next statistic.
Sources: Pew Research Center, “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them” (November 2025). Additional context from Pew reports on payment app security (2022) and TikTok shopping behavior (2024).