1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams – How to Protect Yourself

Intro

If you’ve ever clicked “Buy Now” on a deal that seemed too good to be true, only to receive nothing (or a knockoff that looks nothing like the listing), you’re far from alone. According to new data from the Pew Research Center, about a third of U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That’s a startling number—roughly 80 million people—and it means that many of us know someone who’s been burned, or have been burned ourselves.

Online shopping has become routine for most Americans, but scammers have gotten better at mimicking legitimate stores, payment portals, and customer service emails. The good news is that a few straightforward precautions can drastically reduce your risk.

What Happened

Pew’s survey, conducted in late 2025, found that 32% of American adults report being hit by an online shopping scam. The research didn’t drill into every variation, but other data and reports point to the usual suspects: fake e‑commerce websites that look like real storefronts, phishing emails disguised as order confirmations or shipping notices, and social media ads or posts that lead to fraudulent checkout pages.

The study also noted that certain groups—like younger adults and those who shop frequently on social media—may be more vulnerable, although no demographic is immune.

Why It Matters

Online shopping scams aren’t just about losing a few dollars on a fake gadget. They can lead to stolen credit card numbers, compromised accounts, and even identity theft. Once a scammer has your payment details or personal information, they can make unauthorized purchases, open accounts in your name, or sell your data on the black market.

What makes these scams particularly dangerous is how convincing they’ve become. Fake websites now use professional templates, real product images, and even fabricated customer reviews. A casual shopper might not notice anything suspicious until the money is gone.

What Readers Can Do

You don’t have to quit online shopping to stay safe. Here are practical steps that work:

1. Verify the website before you buy.
Look at the URL carefully. Scammers often use addresses that are very close to a real retailer’s, with a misspelling or a different top‑level domain (like .shop instead of .com). Check for a padlock icon and “https://” at the start of the address, though note that a padlock alone doesn’t guarantee the site is legitimate.

2. Pay with a credit card or a payment service with purchase protection.
Credit cards generally offer the strongest fraud protections. Payment apps like PayPal also have dispute resolution for goods not received. Avoid using debit cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency for online purchases from unfamiliar sellers—once that money is sent, it’s nearly impossible to recover.

3. Be suspicious of deals that are drastically cheaper than elsewhere.
If a brand‑new laptop is being sold for 70% off, it’s almost certainly a scam. Scammers exploit the appeal of deep discounts to bypass your caution. Compare prices across multiple reputable sites.

4. Check reviews and seller reputation from multiple sources.
Don’t rely solely on the glowing testimonials on the seller’s own site. Look up the company on Better Business Bureau, Trustpilot, or Reddit forums. Search for the store’s name plus “scam” to see if others have reported issues.

5. Avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails or text messages.
Phishing emails that appear to be from Amazon, Walmart, or your bank are common. They may say there’s a problem with your order or ask you to verify account details. Instead of clicking the link, open your browser and log in directly to the retailer’s website.

6. Use a credit card’s virtual card number when possible.
Many card issuers allow you to generate a one‑time or merchant‑specific card number. This prevents scammers from using your real card details even if a merchant’s site is compromised.

What to do if you’ve been scammed:

  • Contact your credit card issuer or payment app immediately to dispute the charge and request a chargeback.
  • Change the password on your online shopping account (and any other account that uses the same password).
  • File a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps authorities track scams.
  • If you shared personal information like your Social Security number, consider placing a fraud alert on your credit file.

Sources

  • Pew Research Center. “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them.” November 2025.
  • Business Journal Daily. “About a Third of Americans Report Online Shopping Scams.” December 2025.

The key takeaway is a simple one: slow down. The few extra minutes it takes to verify a seller, read independent reviews, and use a protected payment method are worth the peace of mind—and can save you from becoming part of that one‑in‑three statistic.