1 in 3 Americans Have Been Scammed While Shopping Online – Here’s How to Stay Safe

If you shop online, you’re not alone in worrying about fraud. New data from the Pew Research Center, released in November 2025, shows just how widespread the problem has become: about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. With holiday shopping in full swing, that number is likely to climb.

The research didn’t track every individual scheme, but it confirmed that scams take many forms—fake websites, phishing emails, payment app fraud, and offers that seem too good to be true. Younger adults and frequent online shoppers were particularly likely to report being hit. The full Pew report is worth reading for context, but the core takeaway is straightforward: online shopping scams are now a routine risk, not an edge case.

What the data shows

Pew’s survey, fielded in fall 2025, asked a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults whether they had ever experienced an online shopping scam. Roughly 32% said yes. That’s up from previous years, though exact comparisons are tricky because the question wording and scam definitions evolve. What’s clear is that the problem is growing, not shrinking.

The most common scams reported include:

  • Fake online stores that take payment and never ship anything.
  • Phishing emails or texts that impersonate retailers, asking for login credentials or payment details.
  • Too-good-to-be-true deals on social media or through ads, often for luxury goods or electronics.
  • Payment app fraud, where scammers trick buyers into using Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle for purchases—transactions that lack the buyer protections of credit cards.

Pew also noted that younger adults (ages 18–29) and those who shop online at least weekly were significantly more likely to report being scammed. That may reflect higher exposure, but it also suggests that experience alone doesn’t guarantee protection.

Why it matters for you

Even if you haven’t been scammed yet, the odds are rising. Scammers are becoming more sophisticated. They replicate real retailer websites, use convincing fake reviews, and exploit the trust people place in social media influencers and marketplace apps. And because many payments are made through debit cards or peer-to-peer apps, victims often have no easy way to get their money back.

The consequences go beyond losing the cost of an item. Scammers can harvest credit card numbers, addresses, and other personal information that leads to identity theft. According to the Federal Trade Commission, online shopping fraud was the second most common type of consumer fraud reported in 2024, and the numbers are heading higher.

What you can do to protect yourself

You don’t need to stop shopping online, but a few habits can sharply reduce your risk.

Use a credit card for online purchases. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protections than debit cards or payment apps. If a scam occurs, you can dispute the charge and usually get a refund. Debit cards have weaker protections, and peer-to-peer apps like Venmo and Cash App generally don’t cover unauthorized transactions unless you purchase goods through their buyer-protection programs.

Stick to known retailers or verify unknown sellers. Before buying from a site you’ve never heard of, search for reviews outside the site itself. Look for contact information, a physical address, and a secure checkout page (the URL should start with https). If the price is 60% off retail and the only way to pay is by wire transfer or gift card, it’s almost certainly a scam.

Be skeptical of unsolicited offers. Scammers often send emails or text messages claiming you’ve won a prize or offering a “flash sale.” Don’t click links in these messages. Instead, go directly to the retailer’s website. If the offer is real, it will be there.

Enable two-factor authentication on your shopping accounts. This adds a layer of security beyond your password. Even if a scammer gets your login credentials, they won’t be able to access your account without the second factor (usually a code sent to your phone).

Monitor your bank and credit card statements. Check them weekly, not just when your bill arrives. If you see a charge you don’t recognize, report it immediately.

What to do if you think you’ve been scammed

Time matters. If you paid by credit card, call your card issuer and dispute the charge. If you used a debit card or payment app, contact your bank as soon as possible. Some banks will reverse fraudulent transactions if you report them within a few days.

Next, freeze your credit at the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion). This prevents scammers from opening new accounts in your name. It’s free and doesn’t affect your credit score—you can unfreeze it later when you need to apply for credit.

Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Even if you don’t get your money back, your report helps track patterns and can alert others.

Finally, change the passwords on any accounts that might have been compromised. Use a password manager so you don’t reuse the same password across multiple sites.

The bottom line

Online shopping isn’t going away, and neither are the scams. But knowing that about one in three Americans has already been hit should sharpen your caution—not your fear. A few simple, consistent steps can make you a much harder target. Before you click “buy” this holiday season, take an extra minute to check who you’re paying and how you’re paying them.

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, “Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2024.”