1 in 3 Americans Have Been Scammed Online Shopping: Here’s How to Avoid It

If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or paid for a product that turned out to be counterfeit, you’re not alone. According to a 2025 Pew Research Center survey, roughly one in three American adults (35 percent) say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That number is high enough that most of us either know someone affected or have been affected ourselves. And with more people buying through social media ads, unfamiliar websites, and peer‑to‑peer marketplaces, the risk isn’t going away. This article explains the most common scams and what you can do to avoid them.

What happened

The Pew study, published in November 2025, asked Americans about a range of online scams. Online shopping fraud was one of the most common types reported, affecting about a third of respondents. The research also found that younger adults and those who shop frequently through social media were more likely to report being scammed. In a separate 2022 report, Pew noted that payment apps like Venmo and Cash App—often used in marketplace transactions—raised security concerns among users, which may be connected to the high rate of scams.

Online shopping scams take many forms. The most common include:

  • Fake websites that mimic legitimate brand stores, often with URLs that differ by a single letter or a different domain extension (.net instead of .com).
  • Phishing emails that appear to be order confirmations from well‑known retailers. Clicking the link may install malware or lead to a fake login page that steals your credentials.
  • Social media ads that offer steep discounts on popular items but deliver nothing or a low‑quality counterfeit.
  • Peer‑to‑peer marketplace scams on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or even eBay, where the seller asks for payment via bank transfer or gift cards and disappears.

Why it matters

Losing money to a scam is frustrating, but the consequences can go beyond the immediate loss. Scammers often collect personal information—address, phone number, payment details—that can be used for identity theft or sold on the dark web. And because many consumers rely on credit or debit cards for online purchases, a scam can lead to unauthorized charges, overdraft fees, and a hit to your credit score if not resolved quickly.

Beyond the individual impact, widespread distrust in online shopping can hurt small businesses and legitimate sellers. The more we understand the tactics used by scammers, the better we can protect ourselves and make informed choices.

What readers can do

The good news is that most online shopping scams are preventable with a few simple habits. Here’s a step‑by‑step guide.

Before you buy

  1. Check the website carefully. Look for misspellings or unusual domain extensions. Legitimate retailers almost always use .com, .org, or a country‑specific domain like .co.uk. If a site looks amateurish or has no contact information, that’s a red flag.
  2. Search for reviews. Type the store name plus “scam” or “complaints” into a search engine. Also check the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot. But be aware that some fake review sites exist—cross‑reference with independent sources.
  3. Avoid deals that seem too good. A brand‑new smartphone for $200 or a designer handbag for 90 percent off is almost certainly a scam. Scammers prey on our desire for bargains.
  4. Verify the seller on peer‑to‑peer platforms. On Facebook Marketplace, look at the seller’s profile. New accounts with few friends and no history are risky. Ask for more photos or a video call if you’re unsure.
  5. Use safe payment methods. Credit cards offer the strongest fraud protection under the Fair Credit Billing Act. You can dispute unauthorized charges and get your money back in most cases. PayPal also provides buyer protection for eligible purchases. Avoid wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency, and payment apps like Venmo or Cash App when dealing with strangers—those are nearly impossible to reverse.

After you buy

  1. Save all documentation. Keep screenshots of the product listing, the checkout page, payment confirmation, and any email communication.
  2. Monitor your bank and credit card statements. Report any suspicious activity immediately.

If you’ve been scammed

  1. Contact your bank or credit card issuer. Ask them to reverse the charge and block future transactions from that merchant. Time is critical—most issuers allow disputes within 60 to 120 days.
  2. Change your passwords. If you used the same password on other sites, change those too. Use a password manager to generate strong, unique passwords.
  3. Place a fraud alert or freeze your credit if the scam involved sensitive information like your Social Security number. You can do this for free at each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).
  4. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC uses these reports to track scam trends and may take legal action. Also file a report with your local police department if the loss is significant or involves identity theft.
  5. Consider reporting the seller to the platform (Facebook, eBay, etc.) so they can warn others.

Extra tips for staying safe

  • Enable two‑factor authentication (2FA) on your email and shopping accounts. This adds an extra step when logging in, making it harder for scammers to take over your account even if they get your password.
  • Use a credit card for online purchases, not a debit card. Debit cards draw directly from your bank account and have weaker protections.
  • Be careful with payment apps. Treat Venmo and Cash App like cash—only use them with people you know and trust.
  • Keep your software updated. Browser updates often include security patches that protect against known scams.

Sources

  • Pew Research Center. “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them.” November 2025.
  • Pew Research Center. “Online Scams and Attacks in America Today.” July 2025.
  • Pew Research Center. “Payment apps like Venmo and Cash App bring convenience – and security concerns – to some users.” September 2022.

Online shopping doesn’t have to be risky. By checking before you click, using safe payment methods, and knowing what to do if something goes wrong, you can dramatically reduce your chances of becoming part of that one‑in‑three statistic.