1 in 3 Americans Have Faced an Online Shopping Scam: How to Protect Yourself
If you’ve ever clicked “Buy Now” on a site that looked a little off, or sent money via a payment app for an item that never arrived, you’re far from alone. A new study from the Pew Research Center, released in late 2025, found that about a third of U.S. adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. With holiday shopping reaching its peak, that number is likely to climb. Here’s what the data shows and, more importantly, what you can do to keep your money safe.
What Happened
Pew surveyed a representative sample of American adults in mid-2025 and asked about their encounters with various types of online fraud. The results, published in November 2025, indicate that roughly 32 percent of respondents reported having an online shopping scam happen to them. That makes it one of the most common forms of digital fraud the researchers tracked.
The study also highlighted differences across age groups. Younger adults, particularly those under 30, were more likely to say they had been scammed than older demographics. That probably reflects their higher frequency of online shopping and their greater use of social media marketplaces and peer-to-peer payment apps, which scammers often exploit. Common tactics included fake websites that mimicked legitimate retailers, phishing emails that appeared to come from known brands, and sellers on platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Instagram who took payment but never shipped the item.
Why It Matters
These scams are not just a minor nuisance. Victims often lose real money—sometimes hundreds of dollars—and recovering it can be difficult, especially if they used a debit card or a payment app that doesn’t offer the same consumer protections as a credit card. The emotional toll, including frustration and loss of trust in online commerce, is also significant.
The timing of the Pew report is important. Scams historically spike during the holiday shopping season, when consumers are hunting for deals and more likely to let their guard down. Knowing that one in three Americans has already been caught means the risk is not theoretical. But awareness and a few simple habits can dramatically reduce your odds of becoming a statistic.
What Readers Can Do
Here are concrete steps you can take right now, whether you’re shopping for gifts or just restocking household items.
1. Stick to credit cards for online purchases.
Credit cards generally offer stronger fraud protection under the Fair Credit Billing Act. If a scammer charges you, you can dispute the transaction and often get a refund. Debit cards and payment apps like Venmo or Cash App are riskier—once the money leaves your account, recovering it is much harder.
2. Check the site before you buy.
Before entering payment details, look for a few signs of legitimacy: the URL should start with “https” (the “s” stands for secure), and the site should have a working contact page and a privacy policy. Search for the store’s name plus “scam” or “review” to see if other shoppers have reported problems. Be especially wary of sites that heavily discount popular items or demand cryptocurrency.
3. Don’t click links in unsolicited emails or texts.
Phishing remains a primary method scammers use. If you get a message that claims you’ve won a prize, offers a too-good-to-be-true deal, or asks you to “verify your account,” do not click the link. Instead, go directly to the retailer’s official website by typing the address yourself.
4. Use unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
If a scammer gains access to your shopping account, they can place fraudulent orders using saved payment methods. A password manager can help you generate and store strong, unique passwords for each site. Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of protection.
What to do if you are scammed:
- Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to report the transaction and request a chargeback.
- Change the password on the compromised account and any other accounts that share the same password.
- File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. This helps authorities track patterns and may assist in recovery.
- If you sent money via a payment app, contact the app’s support team. They may have a dispute process (though it’s not guaranteed).
The Bottom Line
The Pew data confirms what many of us have suspected: online shopping scams are widespread enough that almost everyone knows someone who has been hit. But you don’t have to stop shopping online. By paying with a credit card, verifying sellers, and staying skeptical of unsolicited offers, you can shop with far less risk. A little caution now can save you a lot of hassle later.
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