1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams: How to Shop Safely

If you’ve ever clicked a link for a too-good-to-be-true deal and ended up with nothing but an empty bank account, you’re far from alone. New data from the Pew Research Center, released in November 2025, shows that roughly one in three U.S. adults have experienced an online shopping scam. That figure covers everything from phony websites that take your payment and vanish to phishing emails pretending to be from a retailer you trust. As holiday shopping ramps up and more people turn to their phones and laptops for purchases, understanding how these scams work—and how to avoid them—has become essential.

What happened

Pew’s survey, published on November 19, 2025, asked Americans about their encounters with online scams. About a third of adults said they had personally faced a shopping scam, meaning they lost money or had personal information stolen through a fake online store, a fraudulent offer, or a deceptive payment request. The study didn’t break down every type of scam, but previous Pew research has highlighted common tactics: counterfeit websites that mimic real retailers, phishing messages that appear to come from Amazon or FedEx, and payment-app fraud where scammers trick buyers into using services like Venmo or Cash App for purchases that never arrive.

The problem is widespread enough that it’s no longer a niche concern. Almost everyone who shops online or uses digital payment methods is a potential target.

Why it matters

Online shopping scams aren’t just a nuisance—they can lead to real financial harm. Victims often lose the amount they “paid” for goods that don’t exist, and in some cases, scammers also harvest credit card numbers, addresses, and other data that can be used for identity theft. The numbers from Pew underscore that this is a mainstream risk, not something that only happens to people who are careless.

The timing of the report is especially relevant. Holiday shopping season sees a surge in both legitimate deals and scams. Scammers know people are looking for bargains and maybe letting their guard down. Meanwhile, the rise of social media shopping, influencer promotions, and peer-to-peer payment apps has opened new avenues for fraud. A 2024 Pew study found that a majority of TikTok users turn to the platform for product reviews and recommendations—an environment where fake sellers can easily blend in.

What readers can do

The good news is that most online shopping scams are preventable with a few consistent habits. Here’s what to keep in mind, whether you’re buying a winter coat or a gift for a friend.

Recognize common red flags

  • Unusually low prices. If a deal seems far cheaper than what you’d find on a major retailer’s site, it’s probably a trap. Scammers bait you with steep discounts.
  • Suspicious website URLs. A misspelled domain (like “arnazon.com” instead of “amazon.com”) or a .shop or .xyz address for a supposed brand is a warning sign.
  • Requests for unusual payment methods. Legitimate retailers accept credit cards or trusted services like PayPal. If a seller insists on wire transfer, gift cards, or a payment app like Cash App or Venmo for goods, that’s a red flag. Those payment methods typically don’t offer buyer protection.
  • Poor design or grammar. A site with blurry images, broken links, or text full of errors is unlikely to be a professional store.
  • Unsolicited messages. Be cautious of email or text deals that appear out of the blue, even if they use logos of known companies.

Take protective steps

  • Use a credit card for online purchases. Credit cards generally offer better fraud protection than debit cards or payment apps. If a charge turns out to be fraudulent, you can dispute it with your card issuer.
  • Enable two-factor authentication on your shopping accounts (Amazon, eBay, etc.) and on your payment apps. It adds an extra layer of security if your password is compromised.
  • Stick to reputable retailers you already know, or research unfamiliar sellers thoroughly. Look up reviews from multiple sources, not just the seller’s own site.
  • Avoid making purchases on public Wi-Fi. Public networks aren’t secure, and a scammer on the same connection could intercept your payment details. Use your phone’s cellular data or a VPN if you have to shop on the go.
  • Check your bank and credit card statements regularly. The sooner you spot an unauthorized charge, the easier it is to reverse.

What to do if you’ve been scammed

If you realize you’ve paid for something that never arrived, or you gave your card info to a fake site, act quickly:

  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately. They can block further charges and may be able to reverse the transaction.
  • Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC collects reports and uses them to track trends and pursue scammers.
  • If you shared personal information like your Social Security number, consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).
  • Change passwords on any accounts that may have been compromised.

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, “Online Scams and Attacks in America Today,” July 31, 2025.
  • Federal Trade Commission, “How to Avoid Online Shopping Scams,” ftc.gov.