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

What the Pew data shows

According to a 2025 survey from the Pew Research Center, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That figure means roughly 33 percent of U.S. adults have lost money, had their personal information stolen, or both while trying to buy something over the internet. The number has climbed in recent years, and the problem doesn’t show signs of slowing.

Pew’s research also found that scams are becoming more sophisticated. Phishing emails that look like they came from a well-known retailer, fake websites that copy legitimate brand pages, and social media ads that lead to counterfeit goods are among the most common tactics. Package tracking scams and gift card fraud are also on the rise.

Why it matters for your wallet and your privacy

Online shopping scams don’t just cost you the price of a product that never arrives. They can expose your credit card details, your home address, and even your login credentials for other accounts. Once a scammer has that information, they can make unauthorized purchases, apply for credit in your name, or sell your data to other criminals.

The financial impact varies, but the Federal Trade Commission reported that consumers lost over $8.8 billion to all types of fraud in 2022, and shopping scams were among the most frequently reported categories. For older adults who may be less familiar with common online fraud patterns, the risk is even higher.

The Pew data underscores that this is not a rare or isolated problem. Nearly everyone who shops online is a potential target. The good news is that most scams follow a predictable pattern. Once you know what to look for, you can spot them before you hit “buy.”

What you can do to avoid online shopping scams

1. Slow down and check the deal

If a price looks too good to be true, it usually is. Scammers rely on urgency and emotion. They use phrases like “limited stock” or “50% off today only” to push you into acting without thinking. Before you enter any payment information, take a minute to verify the seller.

  • Look at the website URL carefully. Scammers often change one or two letters in a brand name (like “Amaz0n” instead of “Amazon”) or use a .shop or .xyz domain that doesn’t match the official site.
  • Check for HTTPS in the address bar. While HTTPS alone doesn’t mean a site is legitimate, its absence is a strong red flag.
  • Search for the seller’s name along with the word “scam” or “review.” If other people have been burned, you’ll find their complaints.

Phishing emails and text messages that appear to come from a retailer like Amazon or Walmart are common. They often include a link to a fake login page designed to steal your password, or a “tracking update” that leads to a malicious site. Instead of clicking the link, open your browser and go directly to the retailer’s website. Log in there to check your order status or tracking number.

3. Use a credit card, not a debit card or payment app

Credit cards generally offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards or payment apps like Venmo and Cash App. Under federal law, your liability for unauthorized credit card charges is capped at $50, and many issuers waive that entirely. With debit cards, if the scammer drains your checking account, you may have to wait weeks to get the money back. Payment apps are even riskier because they often lack chargeback protections.

4. Enable purchase alerts and monitor your accounts

Most credit card issuers and banks allow you to set up text or email alerts for any transaction over a certain amount. Turn those on. If a scammer does get your card number, you’ll know immediately and can report the fraud while the damage is still small.

5. Be wary of ads on social media and influencer endorsements

Pew has also found that many Americans, especially younger adults, rely on social media for product recommendations. Scammers know this. They create polished ads with fake testimonials and stolen product images. Before buying from a link in an Instagram or TikTok ad, search for the product name plus “review” and see whether anyone legitimately covers it. If the only sources are the ad itself and a few sketchy websites, skip it.

What to do if you’ve been scammed

If you realize you’ve fallen for an online shopping scam, act quickly.

  1. Contact your credit card issuer or bank immediately to dispute the charge and request a new card number.
  2. Change the passwords for any accounts you may have used on the fake site. If you reused that password elsewhere, change those accounts too. Use a password manager to create unique, strong passwords.
  3. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps the agency track patterns and may lead to action against the scammers.
  4. Consider placing a fraud alert or freeze on your credit if you gave out your Social Security number or other sensitive data. You can do this for free through Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

Sources

  • Pew Research Center, “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them,” 2025.
  • Federal Trade Commission, “Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2022.”
  • Pew Research Center, “Online Scams and Attacks in America Today,” 2025.