1 in 3 Americans have fallen for an online shopping scam – here’s how to avoid being next

If you’ve ever clicked a too-good-to-be-true deal on social media or received an email that looked like it came from a major retailer, you’re not alone. New research from the Pew Research Center shows that roughly one in three U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That number is a reminder that scammers are getting better at what they do—and that most of us are not as careful as we think.

What happened

In November 2025, Pew published a report on online scams in America. The headline finding: about a third of Americans reported that an online shopping scam had happened to them personally. That figure comes from a nationally representative survey of U.S. adults, part of a broader study on digital fraud.

The types of scams people described vary, but common patterns emerge. Some are classic phishing attacks—emails or texts pretending to be from Amazon, Walmart, or another well-known retailer, asking you to “verify your account” or “confirm a payment.” Others are entirely fake online stores, often promoted through social media ads or influencer posts. The site looks legitimate, but you either receive nothing after paying or get a cheap counterfeit.

Pew also noted that younger adults and frequent social media users are more likely to encounter these scams, probably because they spend more time on platforms where fraudulent ads are common.

Why it matters

A third of Americans is not a small group. That translates to tens of millions of people. And while many scams result in relatively small losses, some people lose hundreds or thousands of dollars. Recovering that money is often difficult, if not impossible, because scammers operate across borders and hide behind fake identities.

Beyond the financial hit, there is also a loss of trust. When people get burned by a fake store or a phishing email, they may become overly cautious, avoid online shopping altogether, or miss out on legitimate deals. Scams also create noise for real businesses, who have to compete with fraudsters impersonating their brands.

And the problem is growing. As more shopping moves online—especially with mobile devices and social commerce—scammers have more entry points. The same Pew study found that a majority of TikTok users are on the app specifically for product reviews and recommendations. That kind of engagement is a target-rich environment for fraud.

What readers can do

The good news is that most online shopping scams follow a pattern. If you know what to look for, you can usually spot them before handing over money or personal information.

Common red flags

  • Unrealistic discounts. A new iPhone for $99 or a designer bag for 90% off is almost always a scam. If it looks too good to be true, it is.
  • Pressure to act quickly. “Limited stock – buy now!” is a tactic to make you skip normal checks.
  • Unusual payment methods. Legitimate retailers accept credit cards and trusted services like PayPal. Scammers often ask for wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
  • Suspicious website details. Check the URL carefully. Scammers use slight misspellings (e.g., “amaz0n.com” or “walmrat.com”). Also look for HTTPS and a padlock icon, though that alone is not enough—even fake sites can get SSL certificates.
  • Phishing emails with generic greetings. “Dear valued customer” rather than your name is a clue. Hover over links to see the actual destination before clicking.

Practical prevention steps

  1. Use a credit card for online purchases. Credit cards generally offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards or payment apps. If something goes wrong, you can dispute the charge.
  2. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your email and shopping accounts. This makes it harder for scammers to take over accounts even if they get your password.
  3. Stick to reputable retailers and marketplaces. If you find a great deal on a site you’ve never heard of, search for reviews plus the word “scam” before buying.
  4. Ignore unsolicited messages. If an email or text claims there is a problem with your order, do not click any links. Go directly to the retailer’s website by typing the URL yourself.
  5. Be skeptical of social media ads and influencer promotions. Anyone can buy ad space or pay for a post. Check the seller’s history and customer feedback separately.

What to do if you are scammed

If you realize you have been tricked, act quickly. First, contact your bank or credit card issuer to report the fraud and try to stop the payment. If you shared passwords, change them immediately and enable 2FA. Then file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps law enforcement track patterns. Also consider filing a report with your local police department if the loss is significant.

Scams evolve, so no list of tips is complete. The key is to slow down, question the deal, and protect your payment method. The Pew data shows that even cautious people can be caught off guard, but making these habits routine will put you ahead of most.

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, “How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams,” ftc.gov.