1 in 3 Americans Have Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam — How to Protect Yourself

If you’ve ever clicked a too-good-to-be-true deal on social media, only to receive nothing or a counterfeit product, you’re far from alone. According to a new survey from the Pew Research Center, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s roughly 33% of U.S. adults — a figure that underscores just how widespread fraud has become in the digital marketplace.

In this guide, we’ll walk through what the Pew data reveals, why it matters, and — most importantly — what you can do to avoid becoming part of that statistic.

What happened

In a 2025 survey, the Pew Research Center asked Americans about their experiences with online scams. The key finding: 33% of U.S. adults reported that they had personally experienced an online shopping scam. The Pew data doesn’t go into detail about the specific types of scams that affected respondents, but it fits a broader pattern seen in consumer fraud reports. Common schemes include fake retail websites that look legitimate but never deliver goods, phishing emails that mimic well-known brands, and fraudulent ads on social media platforms that lead to bogus sellers. The survey did not break down the total financial losses, but the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has consistently reported that online shopping fraud costs consumers billions each year.

Why it matters

The sheer scale of the problem means that even cautious shoppers can slip up. Online shopping scams erode trust in digital commerce and can lead to significant out-of-pocket losses, especially for those who use peer-to-peer payment apps or cryptocurrency — payment methods that often lack buyer protection. Scammers have become more sophisticated, using realistic website designs, fake customer reviews, and pressure tactics to make offers seem urgent. The Pew finding of about a third of Americans saying they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them is a signal that this is not a niche issue; it affects people across age groups and income levels. For younger adults who rely heavily on social media for product discovery and purchase, the risk may be even higher.

What readers can do

While no one can guarantee they’ll never be scammed, there are concrete steps you can take to lower your odds significantly.

1. Know the common scams.

  • Fake websites: These mimic legitimate retailers, often using a URL that’s slightly misspelled (e.g., “amaz0n.com” instead of “amazon.com”).
  • Phishing emails: You receive an email that looks like it’s from a real brand, asking you to click a link to “confirm your order” or “claim a prize.” The link leads to a fake login page.
  • Social media marketplace fraud: Sellers on Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, or TikTok shop may advertise items at extremely low prices, demand payment upfront, then disappear.

2. Watch for warning signs.

  • Suspicious URLs: Hover over links before clicking; look for typos, extra characters, or “http” instead of “https.”
  • Lack of contact info: Legitimate businesses provide a physical address and customer service phone number or email.
  • Unusual payment methods: If a seller asks for gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, it’s almost certainly a scam.
  • High-pressure tactics: “Limited stock,” “flash sale ending soon,” or “only two left” are common ways to rush you into a bad decision.

3. Protect your purchase.

  • Use credit cards or payment apps that offer buyer protection (e.g., PayPal Goods & Services, credit card chargeback rights). Avoid sending money as “friends and family” or through services like Zelle or Venmo for purchases from strangers.
  • Enable two-factor authentication on your email and shopping accounts, so even if your password is stolen, the scammer can’t log in easily.
  • Research the seller: Search for the business name plus “scam” or “complaint,” and look for reviews on independent sites (not just the seller’s own page).

4. If you get scammed, act fast.

  • Contact your bank or credit card company immediately. They may be able to reverse the charge or block further payments.
  • Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps them track patterns and take enforcement action.
  • Notify the platform where you encountered the scam (Facebook, Instagram, the marketplace site) so they can remove the fraudulent listing.
  • Change any passwords you might have used on that site or shared during the interaction.

Staying a step ahead

Scammers adapt quickly, so the best defense is a healthy dose of skepticism. If a deal seems too good to be true, it likely is. Taking an extra minute to verify a seller’s legitimacy can save you hours of frustration and lost money. The Pew data showing that about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them is a reminder that fraud is widespread — but with the right habits, you don’t have to be part of that one in three.

Sources: Pew Research Center (2025), Federal Trade Commission (FTC)