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

Intro

If you shop online, you’ve probably seen deals that seem too good to be true—and sometimes they are. 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’s not a small number, and it’s not limited to people who aren’t careful. Scams have become more sophisticated, and they target everyone.

The good news is that most of these frauds follow patterns you can learn to spot. This article walks through the basic facts from the Pew research, explains why this problem matters for ordinary consumers, and gives you concrete steps to protect yourself—and what to do if you’ve already been caught.

What happened

Pew surveyed U.S. adults and found that 33% reported experiencing an online shopping scam. That includes things like paying for an item that never arrived, receiving a counterfeit product, or being tricked into handing over payment details on a fake website. The research, published as part of a broader study on online scams and attacks, highlights that shopping-related fraud is one of the most common types of digital crime.

The scams themselves vary widely. Some come through phishing emails that look like order confirmations from a store you’ve actually used. Others show up as social media ads for products at absurdly low prices, often linking to a lookalike site. Marketplace fraud on platforms like Facebook or Craigslist is also common, where the seller asks for payment via a gift card or wire transfer before disappearing.

Why it matters

Online shopping is now a normal part of life. Most people buy clothes, electronics, household goods, or even groceries over the internet. When a third of American adults have been affected, it’s not a niche problem—it’s a widespread risk that cuts across age, income, and geography.

Beyond the immediate financial loss, these scams can lead to identity theft or compromised accounts. Many victims don’t report the crime because they feel embarrassed or assume nothing can be done. But the FTC and state consumer protection agencies do track these incidents, and reporting helps prevent future scams. The Pew data also shows that younger adults, who shop more on phones and through social media, may be especially exposed. But no demographic is immune.

What readers can do

You can reduce your risk without giving up the convenience of online shopping. Here are steps that actually work.

1. Check the seller before you buy.
If you’re on a site you haven’t used before, look for contact information—a physical address, customer service phone number, or a working email. Search for the store name plus “scam” or “review” to see if others have reported problems. Be skeptical of sites that only accept payments via cryptocurrency or wire transfer.

2. Look for website red flags.
Scam sites often have URLs that are slightly misspelled versions of well-known brands (e.g., “amaz0n-shop.com”). They may lack a padlock icon in the address bar, though that’s not a guarantee of safety. Poor grammar, low-resolution images, and prices that are far below market rate are also warning signs.

3. Use payment methods with buyer protection.
Credit cards generally offer the strongest protection because you can dispute charges. Payment services like PayPal also have dispute resolution processes. Avoid debit cards for online purchases—once the money is taken, it’s much harder to get back. Never use gift cards, wire transfers, or payment apps like Venmo or Cash App with strangers you meet through listings or ads. Those platforms are designed for people you know, and they offer little recourse.

4. Be careful with deals on social media.
Influencer recommendations and ads on TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook can lead to legitimate stores, but they also lead to scams. If a product is heavily discounted and promoted by an account you don’t follow, do some research before clicking “buy.” The Pew research noted that many younger shoppers rely on influencer content for product discovery, which increases the attack surface.

5. Act quickly if something goes wrong.
If you think you’ve been scammed, contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately. Freeze the card if necessary and ask about a chargeback. Change passwords for any accounts you may have used. Then file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Even if you don’t get your money back, the information helps authorities track scammers. You can also report to your state’s consumer protection office.

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.
• Federal Trade Commission, “What to Do If You Were Scammed,” ftc.gov.

The key takeaway is simple: scammers rely on haste and trust. By slowing down, verifying sellers, and using secure payment methods, you make yourself a much harder target. And if you do get hit, remember you’re not alone—report it and move on. The more people who know the signs, the harder it gets for fraudsters to operate.