Nearly One in Three Americans Have Experienced an Online Shopping Scam: What to Know and How to Protect Yourself

If you shop online, you’re not alone in worrying about scams. Recent data from the Pew Research Center puts a number on that concern: about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s roughly 32 percent of U.S. adults, based on a Pew survey conducted in 2025.

The statistic is a reminder that online fraud isn’t rare. It touches millions of people, often when they least expect it. But understanding how these scams work and knowing what to look for can make a real difference.

What Happened

The Pew Research Center report, released in July 2025, found that 32 percent of Americans have personally experienced an online shopping scam. The survey also looked at related issues: 22 percent of adults said they had been the target of a phishing attack aimed at stealing personal information, and 13 percent reported that someone had taken over their email or social media account.

Online shopping scams specifically included situations where a person paid for an item that never arrived, bought something that turned out to be counterfeit, or was tricked by a fraudulent seller on a legitimate-looking website. These incidents cut across age groups and income levels, though younger adults were slightly more likely to report being scammed.

The full report is available on Pew’s website, and their findings align with what consumer protection agencies have been tracking for years.

Why It Matters

Online shopping is a routine part of modern life. Most sales in the U.S. still happen in physical stores, but e‑commerce continues to grow. As more transactions move online, the opportunities for scammers also increase.

The impact isn’t just financial—though losing money is the most immediate consequence. Victims may also have their personal information stolen, which can lead to identity theft or more targeted phishing attempts. Even a relatively small loss can erode trust in online platforms, making people hesitant to shop or share payment details.

Common online shopping scams include:

  • Fake websites that mimic well‑known retailers, often with slight variations in the URL.
  • Phishing emails that appear to come from a store or payment service, asking for login credentials or credit card numbers.
  • Non‑delivery scams, where the seller takes payment but never ships the product.
  • Counterfeit goods sold on auction sites, social media marketplaces, or even through ads on search engines.

Many of these schemes rely on urgency (“limited stock – buy now”) or deals that seem too good to pass up. Scammers know that a good price can override caution.

What Readers Can Do

You don’t need to stop shopping online. A few practical habits can greatly reduce your risk.

Warning Signs to Watch For

  • Unbelievably low prices. If a product is listed far below what other sellers charge, it’s often a red flag.
  • Poor website design. Typos, blurry images, missing contact information, or an unusual domain name (like .shop or .bid) should give you pause.
  • Requests for unusual payment methods. Legitimate sellers rarely ask for wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Credit cards and services like PayPal offer more protection.
  • Vague or missing return policies. Reputable sellers have clear, easy‑to‑find policies on returns, shipping, and refunds.

Protecting Yourself While Shopping

  • Use a credit card when possible. Under U.S. law, you have stronger fraud protections than with debit cards. Payment services like PayPal or buyer‑protection programs also help.
  • Verify the seller. Check reviews on independent sites, not just the testimonials on the seller’s own page. Look for a physical address and phone number.
  • Check the URL carefully. Scammers often register domains that are one letter off from a real company’s name (e.g., “amaz0n.com” instead of “amazon.com”). Look for “https” and a padlock icon in the address bar.
  • Avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails or ads. Instead, go directly to the retailer’s website by typing the address yourself.
  • Read product reviews with a critical eye. Extremely positive reviews posted in a short time span may be fake. Mixed or moderate reviews are often more reliable.

What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed

If you realize you’ve paid for something that never arrived or you suspect a fraudulent charge, act quickly:

  1. Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to dispute the charge. Many banks have a limited window to file a claim.
  2. Change your passwords if you entered login credentials on a fake site. Use strong, unique passwords for each account.
  3. Report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps law enforcement track patterns and potentially stop scammers.
  4. Notify the platform where you encountered the scam (e.g., eBay, Amazon, Facebook Marketplace). They may remove the fraudulent listing and investigate the seller.
  5. Monitor your statements for unusual activity over the following weeks.

Sources

The data in this article comes from the Pew Research Center’s report Online Scams and Attacks in America Today, published July 31, 2025. The survey was conducted among a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults.

For more detailed prevention advice, the FTC’s consumer website provides guides on avoiding online shopping scams and steps to take if you’re a victim.

Staying cautious doesn’t have to mean giving up the convenience of online shopping. Knowing the common tricks and adopting a few simple habits can help you shop with more confidence and less risk.