1 in 3 Americans Has Been Scammed While Shopping Online: What to Know

If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or clicked a link in an email that led to a fake storefront, you’re not alone. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That figure—roughly 33% of U.S. adults—gives a sense of just how widespread these schemes have become.

What Happened

The Pew survey, conducted in 2025 with a nationally representative sample of about 5,000 adults, asked respondents whether they had ever personally experienced a scam while shopping online. The results show that online shopping fraud is not a fringe problem. One in three people reported being affected, spanning fake websites, phishing emails disguised as order confirmations, and social media ads that led to fraudulent sellers. The most common types included:

  • Fake websites that mimic real retailers but never deliver the goods.
  • Phishing messages that appear to come from a legitimate store or payment service.
  • Non‑delivery scams, where a seller takes payment and then disappears.
  • Fake social media ads, often for heavily discounted items that turn out to be nonexistent.

The survey did not break down every incident by severity or dollar loss, but it underscores a persistent threat: online shopping scams are now a normal risk of buying anything on the internet.

Why It Matters

Online shopping has become routine for most Americans, and the convenience often overshadows the security risks. The Pew data shows that these scams are not limited to inexperienced users. People of all ages and backgrounds have been affected. What makes these scams particularly harmful is that they often go unreported; many victims assume little can be done to recover their money, especially when payments were made via gift cards, wire transfers, or peer‑to‑peer apps. Meanwhile, scammers continuously update their tactics, using AI‑generated product images and convincing fake reviews to lure shoppers.

The economic impact extends beyond individual losses. Widespread fraud erodes trust in small online businesses and legitimate secondhand marketplaces. For consumers, the cost is not just financial—it can also include stolen credit card details or personal information used for identity theft.

What Readers Can Do

The good news is that most online shopping scams follow predictable patterns, and you can reduce your risk without giving up the convenience of buying online. Here are concrete steps that work:

  1. Verify the seller before you buy. Type the store’s name into a search engine along with words like “scam” or “complaint.” Also check the URL carefully—scammers often use addresses that differ by one letter from a real brand.

  2. Use a credit card or a dedicated payment service with buyer protection. Credit cards typically offer the strongest fraud protection under federal law (U.S. Fair Credit Billing Act). Payment apps and debit cards have weaker protections. Avoid wire transfers and gift cards for purchases from unknown sellers.

  3. Watch for red flags in ads and emails. If a deal seems too good to be true, it usually is. Be wary of urgent language like “limited time offer” or “only 3 left” when the seller is unfamiliar. Never click links in unsolicited emails claiming to be order confirmations or shipping updates.

  4. Stick to reputable marketplaces when possible. Large platforms often have dispute resolution processes and fraud detection systems. If you buy from an independent site, look for contact information, a physical address, and a return policy.

  5. Keep records of every transaction. Save order confirmations, tracking numbers, and screenshots of the product page. If something goes wrong, this evidence helps when filing a dispute with your bank or payment provider.

What to Do If You Are Scammed

If you realize you’ve been defrauded, act quickly. Contact your credit card issuer or payment service to report the unauthorized charge and request a chargeback. File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If you provided personal information like your Social Security number, also report it to IdentityTheft.gov. While recovering lost money is not always possible, reporting helps authorities track scam operations and warn others.

Sources

  • Pew Research Center. “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them.” 2025. (Survey of approximately 5,000 U.S. adults, conducted in 2025.)
  • Pew Research Center. “Online Scams and Attacks in America Today.” July 31, 2025.