1 in 3 Americans Have Fallen for an Online Shopping Scam: What to Watch For

If you’ve ever clicked a too-good-to-be-true deal on social media, entered your card details on a site that looked slightly off, or paid a “seller” through Venmo for something that never arrived—you’re far from alone.

New data from the Pew Research Center, released in late 2025, found that roughly one in three Americans says they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. With the holiday shopping season in full swing, that number is likely to climb. Scammers know we’re hunting for bargains, and they’ve gotten better at making their traps look legitimate.

This article breaks down what the Pew data reveals, the most common types of shopping scams right now, and—most importantly—how to spot them before you lose money or personal information.

What the Data Shows

Pew’s survey, conducted in 2025, asked Americans whether they had ever been the victim of an online shopping scam—defined broadly as a situation where someone tried to cheat them out of money while buying goods online. The answer: about 34% said yes. That’s more than 80 million adults.

The research also found that certain groups are more likely to have been hit. Younger adults (ages 18–29) reported the highest rates. People who use peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle for online purchases were also disproportionately affected. That aligns with the fact that many scammers now ask for payment through those apps because they offer less fraud protection than credit cards.

Pew’s earlier work (2022) on payment app security concerns already hinted at this trend, and the new numbers confirm it’s getting worse.

Why It Matters Right Now

The holiday season creates ideal conditions for shopping scams. People are busy, looking for deals, and more willing to click links from unfamiliar sources. Scammers capitalize on this urgency—especially through “flash sales,” limited-time discounts, and fake websites that mimic major retailers.

Unlike in-person theft, online shopping fraud can be harder to spot until it’s too late. By the time you realize the item isn’t coming, your money may already be gone, and the seller’s account has been deleted.

Common Types of Online Shopping Scams

Based on reporting from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and cybersecurity researchers, here are the scams most often cited alongside the Pew findings:

  • Fake websites and lookalike stores. Scammers register domains that are one letter off from a real brand (e.g., “nike-outlet-store.net”) and build convincing product pages. After you pay, you receive nothing—or a counterfeit.
  • Social media and influencer scams. An account with stolen photos and fake reviews promotes a product at a deep discount. Once you order via a link, the store disappears.
  • Payment app fraud. A seller asks you to send money via Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle, claiming it’s faster or avoids fees. These transactions are nearly impossible to reverse.
  • Phishing emails offering fake deals. You get an email that looks like it’s from Amazon, Walmart, or your bank, with a link to “claim your exclusive discount.” The link leads to a phishing page that steals your login credentials and payment info.

Red Flags to Look For

Before you enter payment information, check for these warning signs:

  • Unrealistic discounts. If it’s 80% off a popular item and the only catch is “limited stock,” take a breath.
  • Pressure to act fast. Scammers often say “sale ends in 2 hours” or “only 3 left” to bypass your rational thinking.
  • Unfamiliar payment methods. Legitimate online stores accept credit cards, PayPal, or services like Apple Pay. If the only options are wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or a payment app, be suspicious.
  • Poor website design. Typos, blurry images, broken links, and a missing privacy policy are common on fake sites.
  • Suspicious URLs. Hover over any link before clicking. Look for misspellings, extra characters, or a “.net” or “.org” that doesn’t match the brand’s usual domain.

How to Protect Yourself

You don’t need to stop shopping online, but you can take simple steps to reduce your risk:

  • Use a credit card for purchases. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards or payment apps. If something goes wrong, you can dispute the charge. Many cards also have $0 liability policies.
  • Stick to trusted retailers. When buying from a store you don’t know, check for reviews on independent sites like Trustpilot or the Better Business Bureau. Search the store name plus “scam” to see if others have reported issues.
  • Enable two-factor authentication on your payment accounts. This adds an extra step, but it makes it much harder for scammers to use your stolen login.
  • Avoid public Wi-Fi for shopping. If you’re on a coffee shop’s network, a scammer on the same network could intercept your payment data. Use mobile data or a VPN if you must shop away from home.
  • Consider virtual card numbers. Services like Privacy.com let you generate one-time-use credit card numbers linked to your real account. Even if a scammer gets the number, they can’t use it again.

What to Do If You Get Scammed

If you think you’ve fallen for an online shopping scam, act quickly:

  1. Contact your bank or credit card issuer. Report the charge as unauthorized. They may be able to reverse it (especially with a credit card) and issue a new card number.
  2. Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. This helps them track patterns and sometimes take action.
  3. If you used a payment app, contact the app’s support team. They may freeze the scammer’s account, though recovery of funds is unlikely.
  4. Change passwords on any accounts you used during the transaction. If you reused that password elsewhere, change those too.
  5. Consider freezing your credit if you suspect the scammer obtained your Social Security number or other sensitive info. You can freeze your credit for free at all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).

Bottom Line

One in three Americans has already been burned by an online shopping scam. With the holiday rush upon us, the odds aren’t going down. But awareness is your best defense. Slow down, question the too-good-to-be-true deals, and stick with payment methods that give you recourse.

Share this with friends and family—especially those who do most of their shopping on social media or through payment apps. A few minutes of caution can save you weeks of frustration.

Sources

  • Pew Research Center (2025). About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them.
  • Pew Research Center (2025). Online Scams and Attacks in America Today.
  • Pew Research Center (2022). Payment apps like Venmo and Cash App bring convenience – and security concerns – to some users.
  • Federal Trade Commission (FTC). ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. How to avoid and report online shopping scams.