1 in 3 Americans Have Been Scammed While Shopping Online: How to Avoid the Latest Tricks

If you’ve been the victim of an online shopping scam, you’re far from alone. New data from Pew Research Center, released in November 2025, finds that about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s roughly 33% of U.S. adults — a figure that should give any regular shopper pause.

The study also shows that younger adults and people who frequently shop through social media are especially likely to encounter these scams. Payment apps like Venmo and Cash App, which offer limited fraud protection, are a common vector. And with holiday shopping season fully underway, scam attempts are only going to increase.

Here’s what the data tells us and, more importantly, how you can keep your money safe.

What happened

Pew Research Center surveyed a representative sample of U.S. adults and found that one in three respondents had personally experienced an online shopping scam. The report, titled “Online Scams and Attacks in America Today,” defines these scams as incidents where someone bought or attempted to buy a product online but was cheated — for example, the item never arrived, was counterfeit, or the seller took the money and disappeared.

The study highlights that scams are not evenly distributed. People who use social media to discover products or rely on peer-to-peer payment services are at higher risk. Social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram have become major sources of shopping discovery, but they also host many fraudulent sellers.

Why it matters

For everyday online shoppers, these numbers confirm that online shopping fraud is not a rare event. The 1-in-3 statistic means it’s likely you or someone you know has been affected. The financial hit varies — sometimes it’s a few dollars for a small item, sometimes hundreds for a fake luxury good or electronics.

The problem is compounded during the holiday season. Scammers know people are looking for deals and may be less cautious. They create convincing fake websites, post too-good-to-be-true offers on social media, or send phishing emails that mimic major retailers. Because payment apps don’t offer the same dispute protections as credit cards — if you send money on Venmo or Cash App for a purchase, it’s very difficult to get it back — scams via these channels are especially damaging.

What readers can do

You don’t need to give up online shopping entirely. A few straightforward precautions can dramatically reduce your risk.

Stick to reputable sites and sellers. Buy directly from known retailers or well-reviewed sellers on platforms like Amazon, eBay, or Etsy. If you see a deal on social media, always go to the retailer’s official website rather than clicking the link in a post. Scammers create lookalike sites that are easy to mistake for the real thing.

Use a credit card, not a debit card or payment app. Credit cards give you chargeback rights if a product never arrives or is not as described. Debit cards and bank transfers offer far less protection. Never send money via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency for an online purchase.

Check the seller’s reputation. Look for contact information, a physical address, and an established online history. Search for the company name plus “scam” or “review” to see if others have complained. Be skeptical of sellers with only a few recent reviews or glowing five-star reviews that sound generic.

Look for red flags in the website itself. Common signs include a domain name that’s slightly off (e.g., amaz0n.com instead of amazon.com), poor grammar, no returns policy, and prices that are far below market value. If a deal looks too good to be true, it almost certainly is.

If you are scammed, act quickly. Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to dispute the charge. File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Change your email and shopping site passwords, especially if you reused them anywhere else. The faster you act, the better your chance of recovering your money.

Use ad blockers and privacy tools. Many scam ads appear in social media feeds and search results. Ad blockers can reduce the number of fraudulent ads you see. Also consider using a browser extension that warns you about known scam sites.

Sources

• Pew Research Center, November 2025: “Online Scams and Attacks in America Today” – reports that about a third of Americans have experienced an online shopping scam.
• Pew Research Center, September 2022: “Payment apps like Venmo and Cash App bring convenience – and security concerns” – discusses limited fraud protection.
• Federal Trade Commission: ReportFraud.ftc.gov – official resource for filing scam reports.

Stay cautious out there. Most holiday bargains are legitimate — but scammers are counting on you to lower your guard. A few seconds of verification can save you hours of frustration and lost money.