1 in 3 Americans Have Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam. Here’s How to Avoid Being Next

If you shop online—especially from your phone or after seeing an influencer post—you are not alone in worrying about getting scammed. New data from the Pew Research Center offers a sobering reality check: roughly one in three Americans report that they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. With Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the broader holiday season now in full swing, scam activity typically surges. Understanding what these scams look like and how to sidestep them is worth the few minutes it takes to read this.

What happened

Pew Research Center surveyed American adults about their experiences with online scams and cybersecurity. The headline finding: about 34% of respondents said they had fallen for an online shopping scam at some point. The study was conducted in 2025 and covers a range of deceptive practices, from fake store websites to fraudulent ads on social media platforms.

Separately, Pew also found that mobile phones are now the primary shopping device for many Americans, and that social media influencers play a growing role in purchasing decisions. That combination—shopping on a small screen, often guided by a personality you trust—creates exactly the kind of environment scammers exploit.

Common types of scams cited in the report and related coverage include:

  • Fake retailer sites that imitate well-known brands.
  • Deepfake advertisements that use AI-generated video or audio to impersonate celebrities or influencers.
  • Social media marketplace fraud, where sellers take payment and never ship products.
  • Bogus promotions for seasonal items (a recent example: fake florist websites around Mother’s Day).

Why it matters

Online shopping scams don’t just cost you the price of an undelivered item. They often lead to stolen credit card details, compromised accounts, and identity theft. During peak shopping periods, the volume of scam attempts spikes sharply because criminals know consumers are looking for deals and may act quickly without scrutinizing a site.

The Pew data underscores that this is not a fringe issue. When one in three Americans report direct experience with a scam, it means most people either know someone who has been hit or have been hit themselves. And because scams evolve quickly—especially with AI making it easier to produce convincing fake content—yesterday’s warning signs may no longer be enough.

What readers can do

There is no perfect shield, but a few habits significantly reduce your risk.

Check before you click

  • Verify the website URL. Scammers register addresses that look like the real thing but swap a letter or use a different domain extension (e.g., .org instead of .com). Type the store’s address directly into your browser rather than clicking a link in an email or social media post.
  • Search for the business name plus “scam” or “review.” Legitimate complaints will show up quickly.
  • Look for contact information. A real company lists a physical address, customer service phone number, and a clear return policy. If those details are missing or vague, treat it as a red flag.

Be skeptical of deals that seem too good

  • A 90% discount on high-end electronics or designer goods is almost always a lure. Scammers price items far below market value to hook shoppers.
  • Deepfake ads featuring a celebrity or influencer claiming to have “discovered” a miracle product are becoming more common. If a video looks slightly off in lighting or lip-sync, search for the original source or an official version before buying.

Watch how you pay

  • Use a credit card, not a debit card or direct bank transfer. Credit cards offer more robust fraud protection. If you must use a third-party payment service, choose one with a buyer protection policy (such as PayPal Goods and Services).
  • Avoid wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards as payment methods. These are virtually untraceable and preferred by scammers.

If you get scammed, act fast

  1. Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to dispute the charge and freeze the card.
  2. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps flag emerging patterns.
  3. Change passwords for any accounts you may have used on the fraudulent site, and consider enabling two-factor authentication wherever possible.

Sources

  • Pew Research Center (2025). About 1 in 3 Americans say they experienced an online shopping scam.
  • Pew Research Center (2022). For shopping, Americans turn to mobile phones while influencers become a factor.
  • Tech Transparency Project (2025). Meta Awash in Deepfake Scam Ads.
  • Fingerlakes1.com (2025). BLACK FRIDAY SCAMS: What to watch out for online this year.
  • Tri-City Herald (2026). Fake florist scams: What to watch out for this Mother’s Day.