1 in 3 Americans Have Been Scammed While Shopping Online: How to Protect Yourself

New research from the Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, reports that about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That figure is not an outlier—the Federal Trade Commission recorded over $8.8 billion in fraud losses in 2024, with online shopping scams as one of the largest categories. If you shop online, the odds are good that you or someone you know has already been targeted.

This article breaks down what the Pew data tells us, why online shopping scams are so common, and what you can do to avoid becoming a statistic.

What the Pew Data Shows

Pew’s survey asked Americans about various types of online fraud. The finding that roughly one in three have personally experienced an online shopping scam underscores how routine these schemes have become. The survey also noted that younger adults, frequent social media users, and people who use payment apps like Venmo or Cash App were more likely to report being scammed.

The scams take several forms:

  • Fake websites that mimic legitimate retailers.
  • Non-delivery scams where you pay for an item that never arrives.
  • Phishing emails or texts that claim to be order confirmations or shipping updates, designed to steal login or payment details.
  • Payment app scams where sellers ask for money through services with weak buyer protection.

Older Pew research has also found that a majority of U.S. TikTok users turn to the platform for product reviews and recommendations—which scammers exploit by promoting fake stores through influencers or paid ads.

Why It Matters

Online shopping scams are not just a nuisance. Victims often lose money that is difficult or impossible to recover. Unlike credit card transactions, payments made via peer-to-peer apps are typically not protected by chargeback rights. Even when buyers use credit cards, a scam can lead to identity theft if personal information is compromised.

The prevalence of these scams also erodes trust in e-commerce. When one in three Americans has been hit, it affects everyone’s willingness to try new sellers or use convenient payment methods.

What You Can Do

The best defense is a mix of caution before you buy and quick action if something goes wrong.

Before You Buy

  • Verify the seller. Search the company name along with words like “scam” or “complaint.” Look for reviews on third-party sites, not just on the seller’s own page.
  • Check the URL carefully. Scammers register lookalike domains (e.g., “amaz0n-store.com”). Watch for misspellings, extra words, or unusual top-level domains.
  • Be suspicious of deals that seem too good. If a brand-new gadget is listed at 80% off with limited stock, it is likely a lure.
  • Use a credit card, not a debit card or payment app. Credit cards offer fraud protection and the ability to dispute charges. Debit cards and apps like Venmo or Cash App often do not.
  • Avoid public Wi-Fi for purchases. Unsecured networks can let attackers intercept your payment details.
  • Enable purchase alerts from your bank or card issuer so you are notified of any charge immediately.

If You Suspect a Scam

  • Stop all communication with the seller. Do not send more money or provide additional personal information.
  • Contact your bank or credit card company to report the transaction and request a chargeback if possible.
  • Freeze your credit if you shared sensitive data like your Social Security number. You can do this for free at each of the three major credit bureaus.
  • Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps authorities track patterns and may assist others.
  • Monitor your accounts for unusual activity over the following weeks.

The Bottom Line

The new Pew data reinforces that online shopping scams are not rare events. They happen to millions of Americans every year. But the same precautions that protect against other types of fraud—slowing down, verifying sellers, using secure payment methods—work here too. A few extra minutes of due diligence before clicking “pay” can save you from a lot of trouble.

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.”