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

If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, received a counterfeit product, or clicked a link in an email that turned out to be a phishing attempt, you’re far from alone. According to a November 2025 report from the Pew Research Center, about a third of U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. With the holiday shopping season already underway and online transactions at record levels, the risk of falling victim is higher than ever. This article breaks down what the data tells us about the most common scams, how to spot them before you lose money, and what to do if you think you’ve been taken.

What Happened

Pew Research Center surveyed U.S. adults and found that roughly one in three reported being targeted by an online shopping scam. The study categorized several types of fraud, including:

  • Non-delivery scams – You pay for goods that never arrive.
  • Counterfeit goods – You receive a fake or knockoff item instead of the real product.
  • Phishing emails impersonating retailers – Scammers send messages that look like legitimate order confirmations or shipping updates to steal personal or financial information.

The research also noted that these scams affect people across age groups and income levels, though younger adults and those with higher levels of online shopping activity tend to report higher rates of exposure.

Why It Matters

Online shopping scams are not just a nuisance; they cause real financial harm. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that consumers lost billions to fraud in recent years, and online shopping scams are among the fastest‑growing categories. Beyond the money lost, victims often face the hassle of disputing charges, dealing with identity theft, and losing trust in e‑commerce platforms.

The sheer prevalence—one in three Americans—means that even if you haven’t been scammed, you likely know someone who has. And scammers are becoming more sophisticated: they create realistic‑looking websites, use social media ads that look like legitimate product listings, and even set up fake customer service numbers.

What Readers Can Do

You don’t need to be a security expert to protect yourself. A few straightforward habits can reduce your risk dramatically.

Before You Buy

  • Verify the seller. If you’re buying from a marketplace like Amazon or eBay, check the seller’s ratings and review history. For unfamiliar websites, search for “[store name] + scam” or “[store name] + review” to see if others have reported problems.
  • Look at the website address carefully. Scammers often use URLs that are slightly misspelled versions of real brands (e.g., “amaz0n‑deals.com” instead of “amazon.com”). Watch for HTTPS (the lock icon) – but note that a secure connection alone doesn’t guarantee a legitimate site.
  • Be suspicious of deals that seem too good to be true. Deep discounts on popular items, especially during holidays, are a common lure. If the price is far below what you’d see elsewhere, treat it as a red flag.
  • Use a credit card for online purchases. Credit cards generally offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards or payment apps. If you don’t receive an item or receive a counterfeit, you can dispute the charge with your card issuer.
  • Avoid wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Legitimate online retailers do not ask for payment via these methods. If a seller insists on them, walk away.

While Shopping

  • Enable two‑factor authentication (2FA) on your email and shopping accounts. This makes it harder for scammers to take over your account even if they get your password.
  • Don’t click links in unsolicited emails or texts. Instead, go directly to the retailer’s website by typing the address in your browser. Scammers often send fake order confirmations or shipping alerts that contain malware or phishing links.
  • Keep your devices and browsers updated. Security patches fix vulnerabilities that scammers exploit.

If You Think You’ve Been Scammed

Act quickly:

  1. Contact your bank or card issuer to report the fraudulent charge and ask for a reversal.
  2. Change your passwords for the affected accounts and any others that use the same credentials.
  3. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps authorities track patterns and warn others.
  4. If you used a payment app like PayPal, Venmo, or Cash App, report the transaction through the app’s resolution center. Note that these services may have limited consumer protection compared to credit cards.

Staying safe online doesn’t require paranoia, just a little caution. The fact that one in three Americans have already been hit shows that scammers are aggressive and persistent. By recognizing the warning signs and following these practical steps, you can significantly lower your chances of becoming part of that statistic.

Sources

  • Pew Research Center, “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them,” November 2025. Link to article
  • Pew Research Center, “Online Scams and Attacks in America Today,” July 2025. Link
  • Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Advice on Online Shopping Scams. Link