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

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

Holiday sales season is upon us, and while you’re hunting for deals, scammers are hunting for you. According to a new study from Pew Research Center, about one in three Americans say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That’s not a statistic to shrug off—it means millions of people have had their money taken, their personal data stolen, or their order never arrive. The good news is that most of these frauds follow predictable patterns, and you can avoid them with a few mindful steps.

What happened

Pew Research Center published a report in November 2025 examining Americans’ experiences with online scams. The data show that approximately 33% of U.S. adults have fallen victim to some type of online shopping fraud. These scams range from counterfeit goods to phishing emails impersonating well-known retailers, and fake websites that look nearly identical to the real thing.

Separately, consumer protection agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have noted a rise in complaints during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Many of these incidents involve social media ads that lead to fraudulent storefronts, or offers that appear too good to be true—and they almost always are.

Why it matters

Online shopping scams are not just a nuisance; they can lead to significant financial loss and identity theft. The timing of the Pew study is especially relevant for holiday shoppers, who often are in a rush, distracted, or willing to click first and check later. Scammers exploit that urgency.

What is alarming is how sophisticated some of these schemes have become. Fraudsters now use real logos, imitate official email formats, and even create convincing customer service chat bots. If you are not paying close attention, it is easy to let your guard down. That trust can cost you real money—the FTC estimates consumers lost hundreds of millions of dollars to online shopping fraud in recent years, and the trend is upward.

What readers can do

You can substantially reduce your risk by staying alert and following a few practical rules.

1. Watch for red flags in deals and communication.

• Prices that are far below market value are almost always a lure. If a 2025 iPhone is listed for $199, it’s not a bargain—it’s a trap.
• Poor grammar, odd URLs (like “amzon-deals.co” instead of “amazon.com”), and missing contact information are hallmarks of fake sites.
• Scammers often create urgency: “Hurry, only 2 left!” or “Your account will be suspended unless you click this link.” Slow down.

2. Use secure payment methods.

• Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards or direct bank transfers. If possible, avoid sending money via wire transfer, gift cards, or peer-to-peer apps like Zelle for purchases from unknown sellers.
• Consider using a virtual credit card number or a dedicated online payment service like PayPal Goods and Services, which includes buyer protection.

3. Verify before you click.

• If you receive an email about a shipping problem or a special offer, do not click the link. Instead, go directly to the retailer’s official website or app and log into your account.
• For social media ads, search for the store’s name plus the word “scam” or “review” before buying. Look for independent ratings on sites like the Better Business Bureau.

4. Check the site’s security and contact info.

• Look for “https://” at the start of the URL, but note that a padlock icon is not a guarantee of legitimacy—some scam sites also use HTTPS.
• Legitimate stores usually have a physical address and a working customer service phone number. If only an email address is provided, proceed with caution.

5. Know what to do if you are scammed.

• Act quickly. Contact your bank or credit card issuer to dispute the charge. Many institutions allow you to do this online or by phone.
• Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps them build cases and warn others.
• Change passwords for any accounts you may have used on the fraudulent site, especially if you reused that password elsewhere.

The key takeaway is not to fear online shopping—it is here to stay, and most transactions are safe. But the prevalence of scams, as Pew’s research confirms, means you need to stay engaged and skeptical. A few seconds of verification can spare you hours of frustration and financial hassle.

Sources

• Pew Research Center, “About 1 in 3 Americans say they experienced an online shopping scam,” November 2025.
• Federal Trade Commission, consumer complaint data and fraud alerts.
• Fingerlakes1.com, “BLACK FRIDAY SCAMS: What to watch out for online this year,” November 2025.