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

The convenience of buying everything from groceries to electronics with a few clicks has made online shopping a daily habit for millions. But that convenience comes with a real risk. According to a Pew Research Center survey published in November 2025, about a third of Americans say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That is not a small fraction of unlucky people—it is a widespread problem that touches nearly every demographic.

If you shop online, the question is not if you will encounter a scam attempt, but when. The good news is that most scams follow predictable patterns. Learning to recognize them can save you money, stress, and the headache of recovering from fraud.

What Happened

The Pew survey, conducted in the fall of 2025, asked Americans whether they had ever fallen for an online shopping scam—meaning they paid for a product or service that never arrived, or that was significantly different from what was advertised. Roughly 32% of respondents said yes. That number is consistent with earlier estimates from the Federal Trade Commission, which has reported steady increases in online shopping fraud over the past several years.

The survey also found that certain groups were more likely to report being scammed: younger adults, those with higher household incomes, and people who shop frequently on social media platforms. This does not mean that older or less frequent shoppers are safe. It simply reflects that more exposure to online transactions increases the odds of encountering a bad actor.

Why It Matters

Online shopping scams are not just annoying—they can be financially damaging. The median loss reported to the FTC in 2024 for online shopping fraud was about $200, but individual cases can run much higher. Beyond the direct financial hit, victims often spend hours disputing charges, contacting banks, and worrying about whether their personal information has been compromised.

The rise of social media marketplaces, peer-to-peer payment apps, and temporary “pop-up” stores has made it easier for scammers to set up shop quickly and disappear. A fraudulent storefront can be built in minutes for a few dollars, run for a week, and vanish before authorities can act. That is why prevention—knowing what to look for—is your best defense.

What Readers Can Do

You can reduce your risk significantly by following a few practical steps. They do not require technical expertise, just a little caution.

Recognize Common Scam Tactics

Scammers often rely on the same tricks. Be wary of:

  • Deals that seem too good to be true. A new iPhone for $100? A designer handbag for 90% off? If the price is dramatically lower than anywhere else, it is almost certainly a scam.
  • Fake websites that mimic real brands. Check the URL carefully. A site like “amazon-prime-deals.com” is not Amazon. Look for misspellings, odd domain extensions (.shop, .biz), or no contact information.
  • Phishing emails or social media ads. Scammers send messages that look like they come from a retailer you know, asking you to click a link to confirm an order or claim a prize. Do not click. Go directly to the retailer’s website instead.
  • Payment app fraud. If a seller insists you pay via Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle—especially for a large purchase—that is a red flag. These services are not designed for buyer protection. Credit cards and PayPal (with buyer protection) are safer.

Verify the Seller Before You Buy

Spend five minutes checking a new seller before handing over your money.

  • Search for reviews. Use Google to search the store name plus “scam” or “complaint.” If multiple people report never receiving items, move on.
  • Look at the domain age. You can use a free tool like Whois to see when a website was registered. If it is only a few months old and selling a huge inventory, that is suspicious.
  • Check for a physical address and phone number. Legitimate businesses list them. Call the number or look up the address on Google Maps. If it leads to a vacant lot or a residential home, stay away.

Use Secure Payment Methods

Credit cards offer the best fraud protection. If a scammer charges your card and you report it promptly, the card issuer can reverse the charge. Debit cards have weaker protections. Avoid wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency as payment. Legitimate sellers do not ask for those.

Enable two-factor authentication on your payment accounts and shopping accounts, especially for PayPal and credit card apps. It adds an extra layer of security if your password is compromised.

What to Do If You Get Scammed

Even careful shoppers can slip up. If you realize you have been scammed:

  1. Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately. Explain that you did not authorize the transaction or that the goods never arrived. They can often stop the payment or initiate a chargeback.
  2. Change your passwords. If you used the same password on the scam site as on other accounts, change those passwords too.
  3. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps authorities track patterns and may lead to enforcement actions.
  4. Monitor your accounts for unusual activity over the next few months. Scammers sometimes resell stolen information.

Stay Vigilant

The Pew data makes clear that online shopping scams are not rare events. They are a routine hazard of modern life. But you do not have to be part of the statistic. By slowing down, checking the details, and using payment methods with built-in protection, you can shop online with far less worry.

A little skepticism goes a long way. If something feels off, trust that feeling. There will always be another deal.

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, 2024.
  • Pew Research Center. “Payment apps like Venmo and Cash App bring convenience – and security concerns – to some users.” September 2022.