1 in 3 Americans Have Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam: Here’s How to Stay Safe

A new study from the Pew Research Center puts a number on something many of us have suspected: online shopping scams are far from rare. According to the survey, about a third of U.S. adults (34%) say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That figure covers everything from paying for items that never arrive to receiving counterfeit goods or having payment credentials stolen through fake retailer sites.

The data, released in late 2025, also shows that younger adults (ages 18–29) are more likely to report being scammed, often through social media marketplaces. Payment apps like Venmo and Cash App are frequently involved, partly because they offer limited fraud protections compared to credit cards. With the holiday shopping season approaching, it’s a good time to understand what’s happening and how to reduce your risk.

What happened

Pew’s research asked Americans whether they had ever been the victim of an online shopping scam — defined broadly as a fraudulent transaction or attempt to trick someone into sending money for goods that are never delivered or are not as described. The 34% figure comes from a nationally representative survey conducted in 2025.

The most common scenarios include:

• Fake websites that mimic legitimate retailers, often with slightly misspelled URLs or “.store” and “.shop” domains. They may look professional but disappear after collecting payments.
• Social media marketplace scams, especially on Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, and TikTok Shop. Sellers post appealing photos of low-priced items, take payment via peer-to-peer apps, and never ship anything.
• Phishing messages impersonating well-known companies (Amazon, Walmart, eBay) that ask you to click a link to “confirm your order” or “reset your password.” The link leads to a page designed to steal your login credentials and payment info.
• Too-good-to-be-true deals on electronics, luxury goods, or popular holiday toys. Scammers count on the urgency created by limited-time offers and discounts that seem unreasonably large.

Why it matters

A third of Americans affected means millions of people have lost money — sometimes small amounts, sometimes hundreds of dollars. The emotional toll is real, too: victims often feel embarrassed or angry, and some stop shopping online altogether.

The Pew data aligns with Federal Trade Commission reports showing that online shopping scams are among the top categories of consumer fraud. The rise of social commerce and payment apps has made it easier for scammers to reach buyers directly without going through established retail platforms that have buyer protection policies.

It also matters because many people assume they would never fall for a scam. But the scammers have gotten better at mimicking real websites, using stolen logos, creating convincing product listings, and even planting fake reviews. The sense of trust we place in search results or social media can override our usual caution.

What readers can do

You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to avoid most online shopping scams. A few straightforward habits make a big difference.

Stick to known retailers or verify unfamiliar ones. If you’re buying from a store you’ve never heard of, do a quick search for the company name plus “scam” or “complaint.” Check for a physical address and customer service phone number. Read reviews on independent sites, not just testimonials on the seller’s own page.

Pay with a credit card when possible. Credit card issuers generally give you the right to dispute charges for goods not received or not as described. Debit cards and bank transfers do not offer the same level of protection. Payment apps like Venmo and Cash App are designed for friends and family; using them to buy from strangers is risky because they usually won’t help you get your money back if something goes wrong. Some payment apps now offer purchase protection for certain transactions — check before you pay.

Inspect the URL before entering payment details. Scammers often register domain names that look similar to the real thing, such as “amaz0n- deals.com” or “walmart-shop.us.” Look for the padlock icon in your browser bar, but note that a padlock only means the connection is encrypted, not that the site is legitimate.

Don’t click links in unsolicited messages. If you get an email, text, or social media message about a package delivery problem, a limited-time discount, or an “order confirmation” for something you didn’t buy, do not click any links. Instead, go directly to the company’s website or app and check your account there.

Enable two-factor authentication on your shopping accounts and payment apps. This adds a step that makes it harder for scammers to log in even if they manage to steal your password.

Be cautious with social media ads. Many scams originate from promoted posts on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok. Scammers can easily create a professional-looking ad with stolen product images. Before you buy, search for the product name and see if other retailers sell it at a similar price.

What to do if you’ve been scammed

If you realize you’ve paid for something that never arrived or that you suspect is fraudulent:

• Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately. They may be able to reverse the charge or start a dispute process. Do this within 60 days for credit cards (the limit under federal law) and sooner for debit cards.
• Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps authorities track patterns and may assist in shutting down fraudulent operations.
• Change your passwords for any accounts you may have entered on the fake site.
• If you shared personal information like your Social Security number, consider freezing your credit at the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) to prevent identity theft.

It’s also worth telling friends and family. Many scams rely on victims not talking about what happened, so the same tricks keep working on new people.

Stay informed, not scared

Online shopping is convenient and mostly safe, but the Pew data is a reminder that scams are common enough to justify a few extra minutes of caution before hitting “pay.” The best defense is not paranoia — it’s knowing the common patterns and protecting yourself with good payment habits. Share this information with people who might be less familiar with online risks; sometimes a quick heads-up is all it takes to save someone from a costly mistake.

Sources: Pew Research Center (2025), “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them”; Federal Trade Commission (2024–2025) consumer fraud reports.