One in Three Americans Reports an Online Shopping Scam: What to Know and How to Protect Yourself
If you’ve ever clicked on a too-good-to-be-true deal and ended up with nothing but an empty bank account, you’re not alone. According to a Pew Research Center study published in November 2025, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s roughly 33% of U.S. adults who have lost money or had their personal information stolen while trying to buy something online.
With holiday shopping season in full swing—and scammers becoming more sophisticated each year—understanding what these scams look like and how to avoid them is more practical than ever.
What Happened
The Pew study found that online shopping scams are one of the most common types of digital fraud Americans encounter. Younger adults (ages 18–29) are especially likely to report being scammed, though the problem cuts across age groups. The scams themselves take many forms: fake websites that look like real retailers, phishing emails impersonating delivery services or payment platforms, fraudulent social media ads, and even fake reviews designed to build trust.
What’s striking is how accustomed many people have become to these schemes. The survey suggests that a sizable share of victims never report the incident, either because they feel embarrassed or because they assume nothing will be done. However, reporting matters—it helps authorities track patterns and may even help you recover lost funds.
Why It Matters
Online shopping scams don’t just drain your wallet; they can also compromise your identity. Once a scammer has your credit card number, address, or even your email login, they can use that information for further fraud. During the holiday rush, when people are distracted and looking for bargains, the risk spikes.
The Pew data serves as a reminder that this is not a niche problem. One in three Americans has experienced it. That means if you haven’t been targeted yet, you almost certainly know someone who has. The good news is that most scams follow predictable patterns, and you can learn to spot them before you hit “buy.”
What You Can Do: Practical Steps
Recognize the Most Common Scams
- Fake websites. Scammers copy the design of well-known retailers but use slightly different URLs (e.g., “amaz0n-shop.com” instead of “amazon.com”). Prices are deep—nearly always 50–80% off.
- Phishing emails and texts. Messages that appear to come from a retailer or shipper asking you to click a link to “confirm your order” or “track your package.” The link leads to a malicious site.
- Social media ads. Paid promotions for products that never arrive, often posted by compromised accounts or newly created pages with few followers.
- Payment app fraud. Scammers on platforms like Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle ask you to pay for an item using “friends and family” (which offers no buyer protection) and then disappear.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Prices that seem unrealistically low—like a $2,000 laptop for $200.
- Urgency: “Only 3 left!” or “Sale ends in 10 minutes!” pressure you to act without thinking.
- No clear contact information. Legitimate sellers provide a physical address and customer service phone or chat.
- Payment methods that bypass standard credit card processors. If a seller insists on wire transfer, gift cards, or peer-to-peer payment apps, treat it as a major warning.
- Poor website design (typos, blurry images, broken links). Not always a scam, but combined with other signs it’s suspicious.
How to Protect Yourself
- Use a credit card. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards or payment apps. If you don’t receive the item, you can dispute the charge.
- Check for HTTPS. Look for the padlock icon in the address bar and “https://” at the start of the URL. This means the site encrypts your data—though it’s not a guarantee of legitimacy.
- Research the seller. Search the store name plus “scam” or “review.” Look for independent reviews on sites like Trustpilot or the Better Business Bureau. If you can’t find any trace of the company, that’s a red flag.
- Stick to reputable platforms. Amazon, eBay, Walmart, and other established marketplaces have buyer protection policies. Even then, be cautious of third-party sellers with very new accounts.
- Avoid public Wi-Fi when shopping. Public networks can be intercepted. Use a secure connection or a VPN if you must shop on the go.
- Enable two-factor authentication on your email and financial accounts. This makes it harder for scammers to take over your accounts if they steal your password.
What to Do If You Are Scammed
If you realize you’ve been tricked, act quickly:
- Contact your bank or credit card company immediately. Explain what happened and ask to stop the payment or reverse the charge.
- Change the password on any account you used during the transaction—and any other account that shares that password.
- Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps build cases against scammers.
- If the scam involved sensitive information (like your Social Security number or driver’s license), consider freezing your credit with the three major bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
- File a local police report if you lost a significant amount of money. Some banks require a police report to process disputes.
Final Thoughts
The Pew Research Center’s findings are a sobering reminder that online shopping scams are not rare events. They happen daily, to people of all ages and backgrounds. The best defense is awareness combined with a few simple habits: slow down, verify the seller, use secure payment methods, and trust your gut when something feels off.
If you share these tips with friends and family—especially those who may be less tech-savvy—you might help someone avoid becoming part of that one-in-three statistic.
Sources: Pew Research Center, “About a Third of Americans Say They’ve Had an Online Shopping Scam Happen to Them” (November 2025); FTC consumer advice on online shopping scams.