1 in 3 Americans Have Been Scammed While Shopping Online — Here’s What to Watch For

If you’ve ever clicked “buy now” on a deal that seemed too good to be true, only to realize later that the item never arrived or the payment siphoned more than expected, you’re not alone. According to a November 2025 report from the Pew Research Center, about a third of U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. With the holiday season already amplifying e‑commerce traffic, that figure is a sobering reminder that fraudsters are actively refining their methods.

What Happened

Pew’s survey, conducted in fall 2025, found that 33% of Americans reported being the victim of at least one online shopping scam. The study did not specify a single type of scam but described it broadly as “an online shopping scam happening to them.” That includes everything from phishing emails that mimic a retailer to fake storefronts on social media, payment app fraud, and so‑called “too‑good‑to‑be‑true” listings on sites like Facebook Marketplace or third‑party sellers on major platforms.

The data aligns with earlier Pew research on digital fraud. A related July 2025 report, “Online Scams and Attacks in America Today,” underscored that scams remain widespread and often target people regardless of age or income. The November 2025 shopping‑specific finding, however, provides a sharper lens on how fraudsters take advantage of the convenience and urgency of online buying.

Why It Matters

One in three is not a fringe problem. For a typical shopper, the odds of encountering a scam are significant — and during the peak buying season, those odds likely increase. Scammers capitalize on limited‑time offers, fake holiday discounts, and urgent shipping notifications. The consequences go beyond lost money: victims may also expose personal information, credit card numbers, or login credentials, leading to identity theft or account takeover.

What makes online shopping scams especially insidious is that they often mimic legitimate transactions. A convincing website, a real‑looking email from “Amazon,” or a sponsored ad on Instagram can all look harmless. Many people don’t realize they’ve been scammed until weeks later, when the package doesn’t arrive or their bank statement shows unauthorized charges.

What Readers Can Do

You don’t need to stop shopping online to protect yourself. A few straightforward habits can drastically reduce your risk. Here’s a practical checklist:

1. Verify the seller before you pay.
If you’re on a marketplace like eBay or Etsy, check seller ratings and recent reviews. For a standalone website, search for “site name + scam” or “site name + complaint.” If the domain name looks slightly off (e.g., amaz0n‑deals.com), that’s a red flag.

2. Use a credit card, not a debit card.
Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection under federal law. If a transaction turns out to be fraudulent, you can dispute the charge and get your money back. Debit cards have weaker protections, and payment apps like Venmo or Cash App are not designed for shopping — they generally lack buyer protection.

3. Avoid gift cards or wire transfers as payment.
Legitimate sellers accept standard payment methods. Anyone who insists on gift cards, cryptocurrency, or a wire transfer is almost certainly running a scam.

4. Watch for urgency and pressure tactics.
“Only 2 left!” and “Sale ends tonight!” are common in genuine marketing, but scammers weaponize them. Pause and investigate if you feel rushed. A real deal will still be available after you do a quick background check.

5. Check for secure checkout.
Before entering payment information, look for “https://” and a padlock icon in the browser address bar. Avoid using public Wi‑Fi (like at coffee shops) for payment — anyone on the same network can intercept data.

6. Enable purchase alerts.
Set up push notifications or text alerts with your bank or credit card issuer for every transaction over a small threshold. That way, you’ll know immediately if someone uses your card without permission.

If you do fall for a scam, act quickly:

  • Contact your bank or card issuer to freeze the card and dispute the charge.
  • Report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  • If you shared sensitive login credentials, change those passwords and enable two‑factor authentication.
  • If the scam involved a payment app, contact the app’s support team — they may be able to reverse the transaction, though success varies.

Freezing your credit (through Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) is optional unless you suspect identity theft, but it’s a good precaution if you gave out your Social Security number.

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.

Staying safe online doesn’t require paranoia — just a few deliberate habits. Trust your instincts, take an extra minute to verify, and you’ll likely avoid the majority of scams that catch the other one in three.