1 in 3 Americans Has Fallen for an Online Shopping Scam: A Practical Guide to Staying Safe

If you’ve ever clicked “Buy Now” on a deal that seemed too good to be true, you’re hardly alone. New data from Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, shows that about a third of U.S. adults say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. With the holiday season in full swing—and more people buying gifts through mobile phones and social media—the risk is especially high right now.

What Happened

Pew’s survey, fielded earlier this year, asked Americans about their experiences with a range of online frauds. The key finding: roughly 33% of respondents reported that they had personally been the victim of an online shopping scam. That includes everything from paying for an item that never arrived to receiving a counterfeit product after buying from a fake website.

The report also highlighted some of the most common tactics scammers use in 2025:

  • Fake websites that mimic legitimate retailers, often with URLs that differ by a single character.
  • Phishing emails that appear to come from well-known stores like Amazon or Walmart, asking you to confirm an order or update payment details.
  • Payment app fraud, where scammers convince you to send money through Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle—methods that offer little to no buyer protection.

Pew’s research on payment apps (published in 2022) already showed that many users worry about security, and the new shopping scam data confirms those concerns are well founded.

Why It Matters

Online shopping scams aren’t just a minor annoyance—they can cause real financial harm. The Federal Trade Commission reported that consumers lost more than $8.8 billion to fraud in 2024, with online shopping being one of the top categories. Beyond the direct loss of money, victims often have to deal with stolen credit card numbers, compromised personal information, and hours spent trying to get refunds.

The problem is also growing because more people are shopping on mobile devices and through social platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Pew found in 2024 that a majority of TikTok users rely on the app for product reviews and recommendations. Scammers follow the traffic, setting up fake storefronts on these platforms and running ads that look legitimate.

What Readers Can Do

The good news is that you don’t have to stop shopping online to stay safe. Most scams follow predictable patterns, and a few simple habits can greatly reduce your risk.

1. Check the URL before you pay.
Scammers create look-alike domains. Before entering any payment information, double-check that you’re on the real site. Look for “https://” and a padlock icon, but note that those aren’t foolproof—scammers sometimes buy SSL certificates, too. Still, a mismatched domain name is a huge red flag.

2. Use a credit card or PayPal, not a payment app or direct bank transfer.
Credit cards offer the strongest fraud protection under federal law (you’re generally liable for no more than $50). PayPal’s buyer protection can also help. Payment apps like Zelle and Cash App were designed for sending money to people you trust, not for buying from strangers. If a seller insists on one of those apps, that’s a warning sign.

3. Enable two-factor authentication on your shopping accounts.
Many retailers now offer two-factor authentication (2FA). Turning it on makes it harder for scammers to take over your account, even if they steal your password.

4. Watch for unrealistic deals and pressure tactics.
If a price is 80% off retail on an item that’s normally in high demand, it’s almost certainly a scam. Scammers also create urgency—“Only 2 left!” or “Sale ends in 30 minutes!”—to get you to act without thinking.

5. Verify the seller.
For unfamiliar online stores, search for reviews from multiple sources. Check whether the business has a physical address and a working customer service phone number. Sites like the Better Business Bureau can help, though scammers sometimes create fake BBB profiles, too.

6. If you do get scammed, act fast.
Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to dispute the charge and freeze the card if necessary. File a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Also report the scam to the platform where you encountered it—whether that’s Facebook, eBay, or TikTok. If you gave out personal information, consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports through Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion.

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. “Payment app users say they make paying easier, but security a concern for some.” September 8, 2022.
  • Pew Research Center. “A majority of U.S. TikTok users are there for product reviews and recommendations.” November 21, 2024.
  • Federal Trade Commission. “Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2024.” (General reference for loss data.)