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

If you shop online, you have probably seen deals that seem too good to pass up or received an email about an order you don’t remember placing. You are not alone in wondering whether these are scams. According to a 2025 Pew Research Center survey, roughly one in three Americans say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That number is high enough that it should give any regular online shopper pause.

The survey, conducted in 2025, asked U.S. adults whether they had ever had an online shopping scam happen to them. It did not define a single type of scam but instead captured a range of experiences, from fake websites to never receiving goods after payment. While the survey did not break out exact percentages by age or income in the summary data released so far, the finding is consistent with earlier Pew research that showed younger adults and those who shop frequently are more likely to encounter fraud.

What Happened

Pew’s data points to a persistent and widespread problem. The fact that roughly a third of Americans have been affected means that tens of millions of people have lost money, had their payment information stolen, or wasted time on purchases that never arrived. The survey likely undercounts less obvious scams, such as when a seller sends a counterfeit item instead of the real product.

Common online shopping scams include:

  • Fake websites that mimic legitimate retailers, often using slightly misspelled domain names.
  • Phishing emails that claim there is a problem with an order or offer a coupon, leading to a fake login page.
  • Social media marketplace fraud, where sellers on platforms like Facebook or Instagram take payment but never ship anything.
  • Non-delivery scams where the site looks real but the products are never sent.

Why It Matters

The scale of these scams shows that no one should assume they are immune. Scammers are getting better at making fake sites look authentic, and they exploit trust in well-known platforms. The consequences go beyond the immediate loss of money: stolen credit card details can lead to further fraud, and personal information can be used in identity theft.

During peak shopping seasons, such as the winter holidays, the number of scam attempts tends to spike. The Pew data, collected in the fall of 2025, underscores that this is not a rare problem—it is something that happens to a substantial minority of the population.

What Readers Can Do

You can reduce your risk without giving up online shopping. Here are concrete steps that work:

  • Stick with reputable retailers. If you want a deal, go directly to a well-known store’s website rather than clicking ads on social media or search engines. Verify the URL before entering payment information.
  • Use a credit card for online purchases. Credit cards typically offer better fraud protection than debit cards or bank transfers. If you do not receive goods or spot unauthorized charges, you can dispute them and usually get your money back.
  • Look for red flags. Unrealistically low prices, pressure to act quickly, requests to pay by wire transfer or gift card, and poorly written product descriptions are all warning signs. Check the seller’s contact information and return policy.
  • Keep your devices and software updated. Scammers can exploit outdated browsers, operating systems, or plugins to install malware that steals your data. Enable automatic updates when possible.
  • Use two-factor authentication. For accounts on major shopping sites, turn on two-factor authentication. It adds a step if someone tries to log in from an unfamiliar device.
  • Ignore unsolicited order confirmations or shipping notices. If you receive an email about a delivery you did not expect, do not click any links. Instead, log directly into the retailer’s site using a bookmark or typed URL.

If you do fall victim:

  • Contact your bank or credit card company immediately to freeze the card and dispute charges.
  • Change your passwords, especially if you used the same password elsewhere.
  • Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and your local consumer protection office.
  • Monitor your accounts for unusual activity over the next few months.

The bottom line is that online shopping scams are common, but most are avoidable with basic precautions. The Pew data should serve as a reminder, not a cause for alarm. Stay cautious, verify before you pay, and use payment methods that offer protection.

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.