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

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

You’ve probably seen the deal that looks too good to be true—a brand‑new laptop for $150, or a designer handbag at 90 percent off. Maybe you clicked, paid, and waited. And waited. The package never arrived. Or when it did, it was a counterfeit.

If that scenario sounds familiar, you’re not alone. According to a November 2025 report from the Pew Research Center, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That number includes people who lost money, had their payment information stolen, or were tricked into buying fake goods. It’s not a niche problem—it’s a widespread risk that anyone who shops online should take seriously.

What happened: the new Pew data

Pew surveyed American adults on a range of online security issues. The finding on shopping scams stood out: roughly 33 percent of respondents reported that they personally experienced an online shopping scam. That’s more than the share who reported credit card fraud, phishing emails, or identity theft in the same survey.

The report also noted that certain groups are more vulnerable. Younger adults, those with lower household incomes, and people who shop frequently on mobile devices or through social media platforms reported higher rates of being scammed. The data comes from a nationally representative survey conducted in summer 2025 and was released in November of that year. It builds on earlier work by Pew showing that payment apps, influencer‑driven shopping, and crypto payments add new layers of risk.

Why it matters

Online shopping has become a part of daily life for most Americans. The convenience is real, but so are the risks. Scammers are getting better at creating fake websites that look identical to major retailers, and they exploit the social trust built into platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook Marketplace. The Federal Trade Commission receives hundreds of thousands of complaints about online shopping fraud every year, and the actual number is likely higher because many victims never report.

The financial losses can be large. Even small scams add up over time, and some people lose hundreds of dollars in a single transaction. Beyond money, there’s the hassle of disputing charges, closing compromised accounts, and worrying about whether your personal information is now being sold on the dark web. For older adults or those less familiar with digital payments, the consequences can be especially damaging.

What readers can do: a practical checklist

You don’t need to stop shopping online, but you do need to adopt a few habits that reduce your chances of being scammed.

1. Research the seller before you buy If you’re on an unfamiliar website, search for the company name plus the word “scam” or “review.” Look for complaints on the Better Business Bureau site or the FTC’s consumer complaint database. A legitimate business will have a real physical address and a customer service phone number you can verify.

2. Pay with a credit card, not a debit card or gift card Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection under the Fair Credit Billing Act. If you don’t receive an item or it’s not what you ordered, you can dispute the charge. Debit cards have fewer protections, and once money leaves your checking account, getting it back can be difficult. Legitimate sellers never ask you to pay with gift cards, prepaid cards, or wire transfers. If they do, it’s almost certainly a scam.

3. Look for red flags in the deal and the website Unrealistic discounts—say, 80 percent off a new smartphone—are a classic bait. Scammers also often use domain names that are slight misspellings of well‑known brands (like “amzondeals.net” instead of “amazon.com”). Poor grammar, missing contact information, and no clear return policy are additional warning signs. Check the URL bar for a padlock icon and “https,” but remember that scammers can now get SSL certificates too, so it’s not a guarantee of safety.

4. Use payment apps carefully Venmo, Cash App, and Zelle are convenient, but they lack the purchase protection that credit cards offer. Use them only with people you know and trust. For online marketplace transactions, consider using a service like PayPal Goods and Services, which has a buyer protection policy. When a seller asks you to send money through “friends and family” on PayPal to avoid fees, that’s a common scam tactic—they’re stripping away your protection.

5. Enable two‑factor authentication on your accounts If a scammer does get hold of your password, two‑factor authentication (2FA) can stop them from logging in. Use an authenticator app if possible, because SMS codes can be intercepted. This won’t prevent every scam, but it adds a layer of defense.

6. Act quickly if you think you’ve been scammed Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to report the transaction and ask for a chargeback. Change the passwords on your online shopping accounts and any other accounts that share the same password. File a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and with your state’s consumer protection office. If you sent money through a wire transfer or gift card, report it to the payment company as soon as possible—time matters.

Staying vigilant

The fact that one in three Americans has already been caught in an online shopping scam doesn’t mean you’re certain to be next. It does mean that the threat is real and growing. The best defense is a little skepticism before you click “buy.” Slow down, check the details, and use payment methods that give you recourse. If a deal makes you feel uneasy, trust that feeling.

Online shopping can still be safe and convenient—you just have to treat it the same way you would a purchase in a physical store: look at the product, check the store’s reputation, and protect your money.

Sources

• Pew Research Center. “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them.” November 2025.
• Federal Trade Commission. “Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2024.” Published annually.
• Federal Trade Commission. “How to avoid online shopping scams.” Consumer advice page, updated regularly.