1 in 3 Americans Have Been Scammed While Shopping Online: How to Avoid Being Next

1 in 3 Americans Have Been Scammed While Shopping Online: How to Avoid Being Next

If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or paid for a product that turned out to be counterfeit, you’re not alone. According to a November 2025 survey from the Pew Research Center, roughly one in three U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That’s a large enough number to suggest that virtually everyone who shops on the internet either knows someone affected or has been hit themselves. The question is: what can you do to avoid becoming part of that statistic?

What Happened

The Pew study, published in November 2025, asked Americans about their experiences with various digital scams. About a third reported that an online shopping scam had happened to them personally. The survey also touched on related concerns:

• A separate Pew report from September 2022 found that many users of payment apps like Venmo and Cash App are worried about security, especially when sending money to people they don’t know well.
• Another study from November 2024 showed that a majority of TikTok users rely on the platform for product reviews and recommendations — a channel that scammers increasingly exploit through fake influencer endorsements.
• Phishing emails that mimic well-known retailers remain a common way scammers lure shoppers onto fraudulent websites.

The takeaway is that the problem isn’t small or isolated. It cuts across age groups, platforms, and payment methods.

Why It Matters

Online shopping scams are more than just an annoyance. They can drain bank accounts, compromise personal information, and erode trust in legitimate e‑commerce. The rise of social media shopping — where buyers often interact directly with sellers via comments or direct messages — makes it easier for scammers to pose as trustworthy vendors. Payment apps, which often lack the buyer protection that credit cards offer, add another layer of risk. If you send money through Venmo or Cash App for a purchase and the item never arrives, getting your money back is far from certain.

The Pew data is a reminder that the techniques scammers use are working. As shoppers become savvier, scammers adapt — using fake websites that look nearly identical to real ones, creating urgency with “limited time” deals, or hijacking social media accounts to post phony sales.

What Readers Can Do

You don’t need to be a security expert to shop safely. A few basic habits can dramatically reduce your risk:

Stick to established sites and verified sellers. When you’re buying from a site you haven’t used before, do a quick search for reviews and complaints. Look for consistent contact information (a physical address, a working phone number). If the only way to reach the seller is through a social media message, proceed with caution.

Pay with a credit card or a service that offers buyer protection. Credit cards typically allow you to dispute charges for items that never arrive. Debit cards and payment apps like Venmo or Cash App generally don’t offer the same protection. If you must use a payment app, only send money to people you know and trust — never to a stranger selling an item through a social media post.

Be suspicious of deals that seem too good. A new iPhone for $200? A designer handbag for 90% off? Scammers often dangle prices that are far below market value. If it looks too good to be true, it almost certainly is.

Check the website URL and quality. Scammers create lookalike sites with slight misspellings (like “arnazon.com” instead of “amazon.com”). Poor grammar, low‑resolution images, and a lack of secure checkout (no “https” in the URL) are red flags.

Don’t click links in unsolicited messages. A text or email that says “your package is delayed — click here to track it” could be a phishing attempt. Go directly to the retailer’s website or app instead of clicking the link.

Do your own research before buying based on a social media recommendation. Influencers and TikTok reviewers may be paid to promote products, and some are paid to promote outright scams. Look for independent reviews on a site like Trustpilot or Reddit. If you can’t find any real user feedback, skip the purchase.

What to Do If You Get Scammed

Even with precautions, mistakes happen. If you realize you’ve been scammed:

• Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately. They may be able to stop a payment or reverse a charge.
• Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps authorities track patterns and shut down fraudulent operations.
• If you shared sensitive personal information (like your Social Security number), consider freezing your credit with the three major bureaus to prevent identity theft.

The core principle is to act quickly. The faster you report, the better your chances of limiting the damage.

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. “Payment apps like Venmo and Cash App bring convenience – and security concerns – to some users.” September 2022.
• Pew Research Center. “A majority of U.S. TikTok users are there for product reviews and recommendations.” November 2024.
• Pew Research Center. “Online Scams and Attacks in America Today.” July 2025.

If the Pew numbers seem high, that’s because they reflect a real and growing problem. But with a little caution and some basic practices, you can shop online with far less worry. Scammers will keep evolving, but the foundational precautions — verify the seller, use protected payment methods, and don’t trust unsolicited messages — remain effective.