1 in 3 Americans Have Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam – Here’s How to Avoid It

A new survey from the Pew Research Center finds that online shopping scams have become disturbingly common. According to the data, roughly one in three U.S. adults report having experienced some form of scam while shopping online. With Black Friday and the holiday shopping season approaching, that statistic is a reminder to stay cautious.

What Happened

In November 2025, the Pew Research Center released a survey showing that 33% of American adults say they have fallen victim to an online shopping scam. The figure comes from a nationally representative poll conducted earlier in the year, and it aligns with other reports that fraud spikes during peak shopping periods like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Related coverage from outlets such as Fingerlakes1.com has also warned consumers to watch for scams targeting holiday shoppers.

The survey did not break down every type of scam, but other research and consumer protection reports indicate that common schemes include fake websites that mimic legitimate retailers, phishing emails offering too-good-to-be-true deals, and social media ads that lead to fraudulent stores. Some victims receive counterfeit goods or nothing at all after paying.

Why It Matters

A one-in-three chance of encountering a scam is not a minor risk. For the typical shopper, the consequences go beyond losing money on a single purchase. Scammers often collect personal information—credit card numbers, addresses, even passwords—that can be used for identity theft or future fraud. Once your data is in the wrong hands, it can take weeks or months to sort out.

The problem is compounded during the holiday season when people are busy, distracted, and more willing to click on a “50% off everything” link that lands in their inbox. Scammers know this and ramp up their efforts accordingly. The financial loss might be small for some, but for others it can be significant, especially if they don’t notice the charge until later.

What Readers Can Do

Avoiding online shopping scams doesn’t require being paranoid, but it does call for a few habits that take only seconds.

Check the source before you click. If you receive an email or see a social media ad with an incredible discount, do not click the link directly. Instead, open your browser and go to the retailer’s official website to verify the deal. Many scams rely on fake URLs that look almost identical to the real one—like using “amaz0n.com” instead of “amazon.com.”

Look for signs of a legitimate website. Before entering payment information, confirm that the site uses HTTPS (the padlock icon in the address bar). Also check for a working customer service phone number, a physical address, and clear return policies. If a site has broken English, no contact information, or an unusual domain extension (like .shop or .xyz), be cautious.

Use a credit card, not a debit card or wire transfer. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection under federal law. If a scammer charges your credit card, you can dispute the charge, and the card issuer will typically reverse it while investigating. Debit cards have fewer protections, and once money is gone from your bank account, getting it back is harder. Never pay via wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency—those methods are nearly impossible to trace.

Stick with known retailers when possible. That doesn’t mean you can’t try a new small business, but if you do, research it first. Look up reviews on sites like Trustpilot or the Better Business Bureau. If the only reviews are glowing five-star comments with no details, that’s a red flag.

Be skeptical of urgency. Scammers often create a false sense of urgency: “Only 3 items left at this price!” or “Sale ends in one hour!” Legitimate stores use urgency too, but scammers rely on it to make you act without thinking. Pause for a few minutes to verify before you buy.

What to do if you are scammed. If you realize you’ve been tricked, contact your bank or credit card company immediately to dispute the charge. Then file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If you shared login credentials, change those passwords right away. The faster you act, the better your chances of recovering your money and limiting further damage.

Sources

  • Pew Research Center, “About 1 in 3 Americans say they experienced an online shopping scam,” November 2025.
  • Fingerlakes1.com, “BLACK FRIDAY SCAMS: What to watch out for online this year,” November 2025.
  • Federal Trade Commission, “ReportFraud.ftc.gov” (for reporting and additional resources).