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

If you’ve ever clicked “buy” on a deal that seemed too good to be true, you’re not alone, and you may have been one of the unlucky ones. A new study from the Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, found that roughly one in three American adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That is about 33 percent of the population — a figure that should give any frequent online shopper pause, especially with the holiday buying season in full swing.

What the data says

The Pew survey asked Americans whether they had ever fallen victim to an online shopping scam — defined as something like paying for an item that never arrived, being tricked by a fake website that looked legitimate, or losing money through a payment app while trying to buy something from a stranger.

• Who is most affected? Younger adults reported higher rates. Among 18- to 29-year-olds, more than four in ten said they had been scammed. This makes sense given that younger people tend to shop more often on social media and through peer-to-peer marketplaces where protections are thinner.
• Common scam types included non-delivery of purchased goods (the most frequent), fake websites impersonating known retailers, and payment app fraud — where someone sends money via Venmo or Cash App for a product that never ships.
• How scammers reach victims: Many reported encountering scams through ads on social media, unsolicited text messages, or listings on sites like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist.

The study also noted that around one in five Americans who use payment apps like Venmo or Cash App say they have had money stolen or been overcharged — a related problem that often overlaps with shopping scams.

Why it matters

Online shopping is now the default for millions of Americans. The convenience is real, but so is the risk. Scammers have become more professional: they build convincing fake websites, create fake reviews, and use social media ads that appear legitimate. The financial loss can range from a few dollars to hundreds or even thousands. Beyond the money, victims may have their credit card numbers, addresses, and other personal information stolen.

The holiday season is when scammers are most active. People are busy, looking for gifts, and more willing to click on a flashy deal. That combination makes the timing of this Pew report especially relevant.

What you can do

You don’t need to stop shopping online, but a few habits can significantly reduce your chances of being scammed.

1. Verify the seller. If you’re buying from a site you haven’t used before, search for the business name plus “scam” or “review.” Look for independent reviews on third-party sites, not just testimonials on the seller’s own page. For marketplaces like eBay or Etsy, check the seller’s history and ratings.

2. Look closely at the website URL. Fake sites often use addresses that are close to the real one but slightly off — like “amaz0n-deals.com” instead of “amazon.com.” Check for secure connections (the padlock icon next to the URL), though even that can be faked. If the price is drastically lower than anywhere else, be skeptical.

3. Use a credit card or a payment method with buyer protection. Credit cards generally offer the strongest fraud protection. Debit cards are riskier because the money leaves your account immediately. Payment apps like Venmo and Cash App have limited buyer protection, especially if you use the “friends and family” option. If a seller insists on that, it’s a red flag.

4. Avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages. Scammers often send texts or emails pretending to be from Amazon, UPS, or a bank, offering a “limited-time deal.” Do not click the link. Instead, go directly to the retailer’s website or app and check for the offer there.

5. Be cautious on social media. Ads on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook can look polished but lead to scam stores. Many victims in the Pew survey reported that they first encountered the scam through a social media ad. If you see a product you like, search for it on a major retail site first.

What to do if you are scammed

If you realize you’ve paid for something that never arrived or that you gave your card details to a fake site, act quickly.

• Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to dispute the charge. Many cards offer zero liability for unauthorized transactions if reported promptly.
• Change the passwords on any accounts you may have used, especially if you reused that password elsewhere.
• Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Even if your own loss is small, your report helps the agency track patterns and take action.
• If you used a payment app, report the transaction through the app’s support system. It may not get your money back, but the company may flag the scammer’s account.

The bottom line

The Pew numbers confirm what many of us have suspected: online shopping scams are widespread and affect people of all ages, though younger shoppers are at greater risk. The good news is that most scams follow predictable patterns, and basic caution can prevent many of them.

As the holidays approach, take an extra few seconds before hitting “pay.” Check the seller, the URL, and the deal. If something feels off, trust that instinct. It’s better to walk away than to become part of that one-in-three statistic.

Sources: Pew Research Center, “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them,” November 2025. Additional data from Pew’s earlier reports on online scams and payment app usage referenced for context.