1 in 3 Americans Hit by an Online Shopping Scam: How to Avoid Being Next

If you buy things online, you’re not alone in worrying about scams. New data from the Pew Research Center shows that roughly one in three U.S. adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That’s around 33% of Americans — a figure that should make anyone pause before clicking “Buy.”

This article breaks down what the research actually found, why it matters for everyday shoppers, and — most importantly — what you can do to keep your money and personal information safe.

What Happened

In November 2025, Pew Research Center published a report titled “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them.” Based on a nationally representative survey, the study found that 33% of U.S. adults have encountered at least one such scam. The most common types included:

  • Non-delivery scams — paying for items that never arrive.
  • Fake websites — sites that look like legitimate retailers but are built to steal payment details.
  • Phishing messages — emails or texts pretending to be from a real company, asking for account or credit card info.
  • Payment app fraud — scams that exploit apps like Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle to get money sent with no recourse.

The report also noted that younger adults (ages 18–49) and those with higher household incomes were more likely to report having been scammed. That may reflect higher online shopping volume, but it’s a reminder that confidence and experience don’t guarantee immunity.

Why It Matters

Online shopping is now routine for most Americans. According to earlier Pew research, a majority of adults buy things online at least monthly, and many do so weekly. As e-commerce grows, so does the pool of targets for scammers.

Beyond the immediate financial loss — which can range from a few dollars to hundreds or thousands — online shopping scams can lead to identity theft, compromised accounts, and long-term headaches. And because scammers constantly update their tactics, yesterday’s warning signs may no longer be enough.

What Readers Can Do

You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to shop safely. A few straightforward habits can dramatically lower your risk.

Recognize the Most Common Scams

  • Too-good-to-be-true prices. If a brand-new gadget is selling for 80% off on an unfamiliar site, it’s almost certainly a scam.
  • Fake “order confirmation” emails. Scammers send messages that look like receipts for purchases you never made, hoping you’ll click a link to “cancel” or “dispute” — which actually installs malware or captures your login.
  • Social media ads for unknown stores. Many scams start with a sponsored post on Facebook or Instagram promoting a flash sale from a store that disappears after taking orders.
  • Pressure to act fast. “Only 3 left!” or “Sale ends in 10 minutes!” are designed to stop you from thinking critically.

Red Flags to Watch For

  • The website’s URL looks odd. Misspellings (e.g., “Amaz0n” instead of “Amazon”) or a random string of letters are common signs.
  • No contact information. Legitimate sellers usually list a phone number, physical address, or customer service email.
  • Payment requests for wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. These methods offer no buyer protection. Credit cards and reputable payment apps with dispute processes are much safer.
  • Poor grammar and design. A site full of typos, broken links, or blurry images is often a quick-and-dirty fake.

Best Practices for Safe Shopping

  • Use a credit card when possible. Major credit card companies allow you to dispute charges for items not received or if your card was used fraudulently. Debit cards offer less protection, and bank transfers may offer none.
  • Check seller reviews — but be skeptical. Read reviews on multiple sites, and look for patterns. A flurry of five-star reviews posted in a short period may be fake.
  • Verify website security. Look for “https://” at the start of the URL and a padlock icon in the address bar. But note: even secure sites can be fraudulent. The padlock only means the connection is encrypted, not that the seller is legit.
  • Never click links in unsolicited messages. Instead of clicking an email link, type the store’s address into your browser yourself.
  • Use a separate “shopping” email address. That way, if a scammer gets hold of it, they don’t have access to your primary inbox.

What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed

If you realize you’ve been taken, act quickly:

  1. Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately. Explain the situation and ask to reverse the charge. Time matters — many issuers have a limited window to file a dispute.
  2. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps authorities track and stop scammers.
  3. If you lost a significant amount of money or had your identity used, file a police report. Local law enforcement may not investigate every case, but having a report on file can help with banks and credit bureaus.
  4. Change your passwords. If you entered login information on a fake site, update those credentials immediately, especially if you reused them elsewhere.

Sources

  • Pew Research Center, “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them,” November 2025.
  • Federal Trade Commission, “ReportFraud.ftc.gov” and consumer advice pages.

The takeaway is simple: awareness is your best defense. Know what to look for, stay calm when deals seem too good, and always use payment methods that give you a way to get your money back. Shopping online doesn’t have to be risky — but it pays to be cautious.