1 in 3 Americans Has Experienced an Online Shopping Scam: What to Watch For

If you’ve ever clicked “Buy Now” on a deal that seemed too good to be true, only to receive nothing—or something that looked nothing like the photo—you’re not alone. According to a November 2025 survey from the Pew Research Center, roughly one-third of U.S. adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That number is a reminder that scammers have gotten better at blending in.

The same survey found that younger adults, especially those ages 18 to 29, are more likely to report being scammed. Social media platforms and payment apps like Venmo and Cash App are common channels for these frauds. But the problem spans generations.

What’s happening

Pew’s survey asked a nationally representative sample of Americans whether they had ever fallen for an online shopping scam. Thirty-six percent said yes. The most common scenarios included fake websites that mimic real retailers, phishing emails that ask for payment details or account logins, and social media ads for products that never arrive. Some scams involve sellers who claim to accept only payment apps or wire transfers, then disappear after receiving the money.

The data also suggests that scammers are increasingly targeting users through social media and influencer-style content. A separate Pew report from 2024 found that a majority of U.S. TikTok users visit the platform for product reviews and recommendations—exactly the kind of content scammers can exploit by posting fake testimonials or deepfake video ads.

Why this matters to you

An online shopping scam can cost you more than just the price of a product. Once scammers have your payment details, they may try to make additional unauthorized purchases. Phishing links can lead to malware or credential theft. And if you used a payment app without buyer protection, you may find that recovering your money is difficult or impossible. The FTC notes that paying with a credit card typically offers the strongest fraud protection, but many people still use debit cards, payment apps, or even gift cards—which often leave you with little recourse.

The Pew data also shows that scammers adapt quickly. As consumers become wary of obvious phishing emails, fraudsters switch to more convincing approaches: fake customer support numbers, lookalike social media profiles, and sponsored posts that look identical to legitimate ads.

How to protect yourself

The good news is that most scams have recognizable warning signs. Here’s what you can do before hitting “Checkout.”

1. Verify the seller. If you find a deal from an unfamiliar website, do a quick search for “[store name] scam” or “reviews.” Look for independent feedback, not just testimonials on the site itself. Check the domain name carefully—scammers often use slight misspellings or extra words (e.g., “amaz0n-deals.com”).

2. Pay with a credit card when possible. Credit card issuers typically allow you to dispute charges for goods you never received. Debit cards, bank transfers, and payment apps like Venmo or Zelle often have limited or no fraud protection for purchases. The FTC strongly advises against using gift cards or wire transfers to pay unknown sellers.

3. Watch for pressure tactics. Scammers often say “limited stock” or “sale ends tonight” to rush you. Legitimate retailers will give you time to decide. If an ad says you must pay within minutes, it’s a red flag.

4. Inspect the ad and the link. Two-thirds of online shopping scams start with a social media ad or a sponsored post, according to earlier Pew data. Clicking the link may take you to a convincing copy of a real store page. Instead, go to the official website directly by typing the address yourself. Also check that the URL starts with “https://” and that the padlock icon appears.

5. Avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages. If an email or text claims you won a prize or that your order needs “confirmation,” don’t click. Open a separate browser and log into your account on the retailer’s official site. If the message seems suspicious, it probably is.

What to do if you think you’ve been scammed

If a purchase goes wrong, act quickly.

  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to report the transaction and ask about a chargeback.
  • Change the password on the account you used, especially if you reused that password elsewhere. Use a unique, strong password for each site.
  • Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Even if you can’t recover your money, your report helps authorities track patterns.
  • If you paid via a payment app, reach out to the app’s support team and explain that you were defrauded. Many apps have a dispute process, but it’s not as strong as a credit card chargeback.

A final note

The fact that one in three Americans has already been hit by an online shopping scam tells us this isn’t a rare problem. It’s a regular risk of online shopping. That doesn’t mean you should stop buying online—but it does mean you should treat every deal with a little skepticism. A few extra minutes to verify a seller, a credit card instead of a debit card, and a habit of typing URLs manually rather than clicking ads can make the difference between a good purchase and a costly mistake.

Sources

  • Pew Research Center. “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them.” November 19, 2025.
  • Pew Research Center. “Online Scams and Attacks in America Today.” July 31, 2025.
  • Pew Research Center. “For shopping, phones are common and influencers have become a factor – especially for young adults.” November 21, 2022.
  • Federal Trade Commission. “Online Shopping Scams.” ftc.gov/online-shopping-scams.