1 in 3 Americans Has Experienced an Online Shopping Scam – Here’s How to Protect Yourself

Introduction

A new survey from the Pew Research Center brings a troubling number into focus: about one in three U.S. adults say they have been the victim of an online shopping scam. The finding, published in November 2025, lands at a time when holiday shopping is in full swing and scammers are especially active. If you shop online regularly—and most of us do—understanding the scope of the problem and knowing how to avoid it is worth your time.

What Happened

Pew’s survey asked Americans whether they had ever experienced an online shopping scam, defined broadly as being tricked into paying for goods or services that were never delivered, were counterfeit, or were misrepresented. The result: 33% of respondents said yes. That figure is higher than many other types of online fraud Pew has tracked, including phishing attacks and account takeovers.

The survey also found that younger adults, those under 30, reported scams at slightly higher rates than older age groups, though the difference was modest. People who reported lower household incomes were also more likely to say they had been scammed. The most common types of scams reported included fake websites that looked like legitimate retailers, fraudulent listings on social media marketplaces, and phishing emails or texts that mimicked order confirmations and led to malicious links.

These findings align with broader Federal Trade Commission data. In 2022, the FTC received reports of over $8.8 billion in fraud losses, with online shopping scams consistently ranking among the top categories. While not all scams are reported, the pattern is clear: the problem is large, persistent, and unlikely to disappear.

Why It Matters

For anyone who buys products online—whether from Amazon, Etsy, Facebook Marketplace, or a small independent store—the risk is real. Scammers have become more sophisticated. Fake websites can look nearly identical to real ones, complete with product photos, reviews, and contact pages. Social media ads often lead to storefronts that disappear after a few weeks. And payment app scams, where a seller asks for money via Venmo or Cash App and then ghosts the buyer, are increasingly common.

The consequences go beyond losing money. Victims often lose time disputing charges, may have their personal information harvested, and can feel a sense of distrust toward online shopping altogether. With more consumers using their phones for purchases and relying on payment apps for convenience, the attack surface is growing.

What Readers Can Do

The good news is that many online shopping scams are avoidable with a few straightforward habits. Here’s a practical checklist you can use right now.

1. Verify the Seller Before You Pay

Before entering any payment information on a new website, do a quick background check. Search the store name along with words like “scam” or “review” and see what comes up. Look for a physical address, a working customer service phone number, and a clear return policy. If a website has no contact info or is only a few weeks old (check via a domain age lookup tool), treat it with suspicion.

2. Use a Credit Card, Not a Debit Card or Payment App

Credit cards offer the strongest fraud protection under federal law. If you dispute a charge, the card issuer must investigate and you are typically not liable for unauthorized transactions beyond $50—and often zero. Debit cards offer less protection, and money sent via Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle is nearly impossible to recover once it leaves your account. For online purchases, especially from unfamiliar sellers, always use a credit card.

3. Be Wary of Deals That Seem Too Good

Scammers rely on urgency and low prices. A new gaming console for half the retail price, or a designer bag for $30, is almost certainly a scam. If a listing is heavily discounted and the seller pressures you to act fast, step back and evaluate. Check the same product on a trusted site to see what the normal price range is.

Phishing remains a top tactic. You get an email that looks like it’s from a shipping carrier or a retailer, saying your package is delayed or your account has a problem. The link leads to a fake login page or a site that steals your card details. Instead of clicking, open a browser and go directly to the retailer’s website or the carrier’s tracking page. If there’s a real issue, it will show up there.

5. Enable Two-Factor Authentication on Shopping Accounts

Many major retailers now offer two-factor authentication (2FA), which adds an extra step when you log in. Turning this on makes it much harder for scammers to access your account, even if they get your password. Use an authenticator app rather than SMS when possible, as SMS can be intercepted.

6. Research Social Media Marketplaces Carefully

Facebook Marketplace, Instagram shops, and TikTok storefronts have become common ground for scams. When buying from an individual, meet in person and pay cash if possible. When buying from a small shop you discovered through an ad, do the same verification as you would for any unknown website. Check the date the account was created, the consistency of posts, and whether followers appear real or bot-like.

If You Are Scammed, Act Quickly

Even careful shoppers can slip up. If you realize you’ve been scammed, take the following steps:

  • Contact your credit card issuer or bank immediately to dispute the charge and request a chargeback. Time matters; many card issuers have a 60-day window.
  • Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps track trends and can lead to enforcement.
  • File a complaint with the Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker.
  • Change the password for any account you may have used on the scam site, and if you reused that password elsewhere, change it there too.
  • Monitor your bank and credit card statements for the next few months for any unauthorized charges.

Sources

  • Pew Research Center, “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them,” November 2025.
  • Federal Trade Commission, “Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2022,” February 2023.
  • Pew Research Center, “Online Scams and Attacks in America Today,” July 2025.
  • Business Journal Daily, “About a Third of Americans Report Online Shopping Scams,” December 2025.

The takeaway is straightforward: online shopping scams are common, but they are also avoidable with a bit of caution and the right payment habits. Treat every unfamiliar seller with a healthy dose of skepticism, use credit cards for protection, and act fast if something goes wrong. The data from Pew makes it clear you are not alone, but that also means you have plenty of real-world advice you can put to use.