1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams: How to Protect Yourself This Season

If you’ve ever clicked on a “too good to be true” deal and ended up with nothing but an empty bank account, you’re far from alone. A new study from Pew Research Center published in November 2025 found that roughly one in three U.S. adults—34 percent—say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. With the holiday shopping season in full swing and deals flooding your inbox, that number is likely to rise. Here’s what you need to know about the most common scams and how to avoid becoming the next statistic.

What Happened

The Pew survey, conducted in October 2025, asked Americans about their encounters with various types of online fraud. Among the most common were purchase scams—fake websites, phony social media marketplace listings, and phishing emails that look like they come from legitimate retailers. Scammers are increasingly sophisticated, using lookalike domains (like “amaz0n-deals.com”) and urgent language to push you into buying before you think.

The problem spikes during November and December. According to the Federal Trade Commission and consumer protection groups, reported scams more than double during the holiday period, as criminals exploit the surge in online transactions and the emotional urgency of finding gifts quickly.

Why It Matters

These scams aren’t just annoying—they can be expensive. Median losses vary, but many victims report losing several hundred dollars. Beyond the money, there’s the risk of identity theft and compromised payment information. Older adults and people less familiar with technology are often targeted, but younger, tech-savvy shoppers fall for sophisticated tricks too.

The Pew data underscores that this isn’t a niche problem: one in three Americans. That means if you’re reading this, you probably know someone who has been scammed, and it could easily be you next time.

What Readers Can Do

You don’t need to avoid online shopping entirely. You just need to shop with a few habits that take minimal effort but can save you a lot of trouble.

Spot the red flags before you click

  • Unrealistic prices. If a popular item is selling for 70 percent off on a site you’ve never heard of, that’s a warning sign. Scammers set low prices to make you ignore everything else.
  • Poor website quality. Look for typos, generic product descriptions, blurry images, and missing “About Us” or “Contact” pages. Legitimate businesses invest in their storefronts.
  • Payment pressure. Scammers want payment methods that are hard to reverse: gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Any request to pay that way is a dead giveaway. Stick to credit cards or services like PayPal Goods & Services (not Friends & Family).
  • Urgent countdown timers. “Only 3 left at this price—buy now!” is a classic phishing tactic to bypass your better judgment.

Verify the seller

  • Search for reviews from multiple sources. A scam site may have dozens of glowing five-star reviews that are fake. Look for negative comments or complaints on sites like the Better Business Bureau or Trustpilot.
  • Check the domain name carefully. Scammers register addresses that look almost right (e.g., “walmart-shop.net” instead of walmart.com). Type the URL directly or use bookmarks instead of clicking links in emails or ads.
  • For social media listings, especially on Facebook Marketplace or Instagram shops, ask for a video of the product, a real phone number, and a physical address. If the seller dodges, walk away.

Secure your transaction

  • Use a credit card rather than a debit card. Credit cards often offer chargeback protection if you don’t receive what you ordered. Debit card disputes are harder to win.
  • Enable two-factor authentication on your shopping accounts (Amazon, eBay, etc.) and your email. That way, even if scammers steal your password, they can’t log in.
  • Don’t save payment info on unknown sites. Use a virtual card number if your bank offers one, or a one-time credit card number.

If you’ve been scammed

  • Contact your bank or card issuer immediately to dispute the charge and request a reversal. Time matters—the sooner you act, the better your chances.
  • Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) if the loss is significant.
  • Freeze your credit if the scammer got your Social Security number or other identifying information. You can do this for free at each of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
  • Change passwords for any accounts you used on the scam site.

Sources

  • Pew Research Center, “About 1 in 3 Americans say they experienced an online shopping scam,” November 19, 2025.
  • Federal Trade Commission, “How to avoid online shopping scams,” ftc.gov.
  • FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, 2024 Internet Crime Report (for historical scam trends).

Stay safe out there, and remember: if the deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.