1 in 3 Americans Have Fallen for an Online Shopping Scam: How to Avoid Being Next

If you’ve ever clicked a too-good-to-be-true deal on social media and later realized the product never arrived, you’re not alone. A new study from the Pew Research Center, released in November 2025, found 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 sobering number, especially with the holiday shopping season ramping up.

This article breaks down what the research tells us, why it matters, and concrete steps you can take to protect your money and personal information.

What happened

Pew’s survey, conducted in October 2025, asked Americans about their experiences with various online scams. The finding on shopping scams was part of a broader report on digital fraud. The researchers defined an online shopping scam as a situation where someone bought or attempted to buy a product online and either never received it, received something different from what was advertised, or was tricked into paying via a fraudulent link or payment method.

The 1-in-3 figure cuts across age groups, income levels, and geographic regions. Younger adults (18–29) reported slightly higher rates of encountering such scams, but the experience was common among older shoppers as well. The study also noted that many victims lost money, with losses ranging from a few dollars to hundreds.

Why it matters

Online shopping scams are not a niche problem. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that in 2024, consumers lost over $400 million to online shopping fraud alone. And these numbers likely undercount the true scale, since many incidents go unreported.

Several factors make the current environment particularly risky:

  • Payment app popularity. Many scammers now ask for payment through apps like Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle, which offer little to no fraud protection compared to credit cards.
  • Social media as a storefront. Pew’s earlier research shows a majority of TikTok users and significant shares of other social media users rely on platform recommendations for purchases. Scammers exploit this by setting up fake storefronts with convincing ads.
  • Fake websites that look real. Phishing emails and search ads can lead shoppers to sites that mimic legitimate retailers down to the logo and SSL certificate.

In short, the convenience of online shopping has a dark side, and the stakes are only rising as more Americans shift their purchasing habits to mobile and social channels.

What readers can do

You can cut your risk significantly without giving up online shopping. Here are practical, evidence-backed steps.

1. Use a credit card, not a debit card or payment app

Credit cards offer the strongest fraud protection under federal law. If a transaction turns out to be fraudulent, you can dispute the charge and often get your money back. Debit cards have weaker protections, and payment apps like Venmo and Zelle are designed for transfers between people you know, not for buying from strangers. Avoid using these for purchases from unknown sellers.

2. Verify the seller before paying

Check the website’s URL: look for “https://” and a padlock icon, though this alone is not foolproof. Search for reviews of the seller on independent sites (not just testimonials on the seller’s own site). Look for a physical address and a working phone number. If the only contact method is a form or an email, be cautious.

3. Watch for red flags in the deal itself

Common warning signs include:

  • Prices that are significantly lower than other retailers.
  • Requests to pay via gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.
  • Websites with typos, poor grammar, or mismatched branding.
  • Urgent messaging like “limited stock – buy now” to pressure you.

If something feels off, trust your gut. Walk away.

4. Be skeptical of ads on social media

Scammers often use targeted ads to appear legitimate. Before clicking, look up the brand or product separately. If the ad links to a site you’ve never heard of, do a quick search for “[brand name] scam” or “[brand name] review” before entering any payment details.

5. Monitor your accounts and set alerts

Enable purchase notifications from your bank or credit card issuer. Review statements at least once a month. If you see a charge you don’t recognize, report it immediately – even if it’s small. Fraudsters often test with small amounts before making larger withdrawals.

6. Know what to do if you’re scammed

Act quickly:

  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer to dispute the charge and freeze the card if needed.
  • Place a fraud alert on your credit report with one of the three major bureaus (Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion) – they will alert the others.
  • File a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  • If the scam involved a payment app, report the incident to the app’s support team and to your state attorney general’s office.

Sources

  • Pew Research Center. “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them.” November 19, 2025.
  • Pew Research Center. “Online Scams and Attacks in America Today.” July 31, 2025.
  • Federal Trade Commission. “Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2024.” (Online shopping fraud losses reported.)
  • FTC guidance on payment apps and credit card protections.

Staying safe while shopping online doesn’t require paranoia – just a few habits that put you in control. Share this with a friend or family member who might be browsing deals this season. A little awareness goes a long way.