1 in 3 Americans Have Been Scammed Online Shopping: Here’s How to Protect Yourself

1 in 3 Americans Have Been Scammed Online Shopping: Here’s How to Protect Yourself

A new report from the Pew Research Center, released in November 2025, confirms what many have suspected: online shopping scams are disturbingly common. Roughly one in three American adults say they have fallen victim to at least one online shopping scam. With holiday shopping already underway, this data is a timely reminder to slow down and check before you click.

What the Data Shows

The Pew survey asked Americans whether they had personally experienced an online shopping scam — defined as a situation where someone tried to deceive them into paying for products or services that never arrived, or that were significantly misrepresented. The finding that 33% of respondents said yes is consistent with other fraud reports, but it’s one of the most comprehensive looks at how pervasive the problem has become. Scams cut across age groups, income levels, and regions, though younger adults and frequent social media shoppers reported higher rates.

Pew’s broader research on online scams and attacks, also published in 2025, shows that shopping scams are just one part of a larger problem. Phishing attempts, fake customer support calls, and identity theft are also on the rise. But the shopping scam category stands out because of its direct financial impact and the difficulty many consumers face in getting their money back.

Why This Matters Now

The timing of the report is not coincidental. The busiest shopping season of the year — Black Friday through the December holidays — is when scammers are most active. They know people are looking for deals and may be less cautious than usual. Mobile shopping has also increased, and scammers have adapted by creating fake apps, cloned retailer websites, and heavily targeted social media ads that look legitimate at first glance. The combination of urgency, low prices, and unfamiliar sellers creates an environment where even careful shoppers can be tripped up.

If you think “it won’t happen to me,” the Pew data says otherwise. One in three is not a rare event. The odds that you or someone in your household will encounter a scam this season are higher than most people realize.

What You Can Do About It

Most online shopping scams follow a handful of patterns. Recognize them, and you can avoid most problems.

1. Be skeptical of deals that seem too good Scammers set up websites offering luxury goods, electronics, or popular toys at steep discounts — sometimes 70% or more off retail. The site may look polished, but if you search for the store name plus “scam” or “review,” you’ll often find warnings. A legitimate discounted price is usually 20–40% off, not 90%.

2. Check the domain name and contact details Spoofed retailer sites use URLs that are one character off from the real one (e.g., “amaz0n- deals.com”). Always verify the address bar before entering payment information. Legitimate stores will have a physical address and a working customer service phone number or chat. If the only contact option is a web form, that’s a red flag.

3. Watch out for unsolicited emails and texts Phishing messages that look like shipping notifications, order confirmations, or “account suspended” alerts often lead to fake login pages that steal your credentials. Don’t click links in unsolicited messages. Go directly to the retailer’s website by typing the address yourself.

4. Pay with a credit card Credit cards offer stronger fraud protections than debit cards, wire transfers, or gift cards. The Federal Trade Commission explicitly advises against paying for online purchases with wire transfers or prepaid cards — scammers ask for these because they are nearly impossible to reverse.

5. Research the seller before buying on social media Many scams originate from ads on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or sponsored posts from influencers. Just because the seller has many followers does not mean they are legitimate. Check third-party review sites and forums. If you can only find glowing five-star reviews with no detail, be suspicious.

What to Do if You Think You’ve Been Scammed

Act quickly. If you used a credit card, call your issuer and dispute the charge. Most banks give you a window of 60 days from the statement date to report a fraudulent charge. If you paid through a service like PayPal or a digital wallet, open a dispute through their resolution center.

File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. It will not get your money back directly, but it helps agencies track scam operations and warn others. If you shared personal information, like your Social Security number or bank account details, consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports.

Finally, warn others. Post about the scam in the comments sections of the ad or listing if possible. Many consumers rely on word-of-mouth to avoid bad actors.

One in three Americans has already been caught. You don’t have to be the next one. A few extra seconds of verification can save you a lot of grief.

Sources:

• Pew Research Center, “About 1 in 3 Americans say they experienced an online shopping scam,” November 2025.
• Pew Research Center, “Online Scams and Attacks in America Today,” July 2025.
• Federal Trade Commission, “How to Avoid Online Shopping Scams.”