1 in 3 Americans Has Fallen for an Online Shopping Scam: How to Avoid Being Next

Not long ago, a friend of mine found what seemed like a fantastic deal on a popular brand of winter boots — half the usual price, on a site that looked almost identical to the official store. She entered her credit card details, got a confirmation email, and then … nothing. The boots never arrived, the site vanished, and the email bounced. She’d been scammed, and she wasn’t alone.

New research from the Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, confirms just how common this has become. According to the study, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s not a fringe problem — it’s a regular risk for millions of people, especially during the holiday season when deals flood inboxes and social feeds.

What Happened

The Pew survey asked Americans about their direct experience with online shopping scams — instances where someone tried to or succeeded in defrauding them while buying something online. Roughly 33% of U.S. adults reported that this had happened to them. The data comes from a broader report on online scams and attacks released in July 2025, which found that fraud of all kinds is a widespread concern. But online shopping scams stand out because they target something almost everyone does: buying goods or services with a few clicks.

The problem isn’t limited to one demographic. While younger adults are more likely to shop on mobile and follow influencer recommendations (a separate Pew study from 2024 noted that a majority of TikTok users rely on the platform for product reviews), older adults are often targeted by more traditional phishing emails and fake storefronts. No age group is immune.

Why It Matters

Online shopping scams don’t just cost money — they erode trust in e-commerce as a whole. When one out of three shoppers has been burned, it makes everyone more hesitant to try new stores or click on promising deals. That’s a shame, because most online retailers are legitimate, and the convenience of shopping from home is real.

But the stakes are higher than a lost purchase. Scammers often harvest payment details, home addresses, and passwords, which can lead to identity theft or account takeovers. The financial loss can range from a few dollars to thousands, and recovering the money is rarely guaranteed. This is especially dangerous during the holiday season, when people are distracted, in a hurry, and more likely to let their guard down.

What Readers Can Do

The good news is that most online shopping scams have clear warning signs. With some basic precautions, you can substantially lower your risk.

Check the URL and site design carefully. Scammers are good at mimicking real stores, but they often slip up. Look for misspelled domain names (like “amaz0n-deals.com” instead of “amazon.com”), poor grammar in product descriptions, and missing contact information. If the site uses a generic template and has no physical address or phone number, that’s a red flag.

Stick with reputable payment methods. Whenever possible, use a credit card rather than a debit card or a payment app like Venmo or Cash App. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection and allow you to dispute charges. Many cards also let you generate virtual one-time numbers for online purchases, which adds another layer of security. Avoid wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency as payment — these are almost impossible to recover if something goes wrong.

Be skeptical of deals that seem too good. If a brand-new gadget or designer item is selling for 70% off on a site you’ve never heard of, it’s probably a scam. Scammers exploit the human desire for a bargain. Cross-check prices with reputable retailers. If the discount is huge and the seller is unknown, walk away.

Pay attention to phishing emails and social media ads. Scammers often send emails that look like order confirmations or shipping updates from companies you don’t remember buying from. Don’t click links in unsolicited messages. Instead, go directly to the retailer’s website. Similarly, ads on social media — especially those from random accounts with few followers — can lead to fake storefronts. Treat them with caution.

Monitor your accounts regularly. Set up alerts for any transaction above a small amount, like $1. That way, if a scammer tests your card with a tiny charge, you’ll know right away. Review your bank and credit card statements every month. Early detection makes a huge difference.

If you do get scammed, act fast. Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to report the fraud and request a chargeback. Change the passwords on any accounts that may have been compromised — and use strong, unique passwords for each site. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report can help prevent others from falling for the same trick.

Sources

  • Pew Research Center, November 2025: “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them”
  • Pew Research Center, July 2025: “Online Scams and Attacks in America Today”
  • Pew Research Center, November 2024: “A majority of U.S. TikTok users are there for product reviews and recommendations”
  • Pew Research Center, September 2022: “Payment apps like Venmo and Cash App bring convenience – and security concerns – to some users”