1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams: How to Stay Safe

1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams: How to Stay Safe

Shopping online has never been more convenient — or more risky. According to a November 2025 Pew Research Center survey, roughly one in three U.S. adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. With holiday spending in full swing, that statistic is a reminder that a few basic precautions can save you money and stress.

What happened

Pew’s report, About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them, is part of a broader study on digital fraud released in July 2025 (Online Scams and Attacks in America Today). The survey found that 34% of adults have fallen victim to at least one scam where they paid for goods or services that were never delivered, or that were misrepresented.

The scams take many forms: lookalike websites with URLs nearly identical to well‑known stores, fake listings on social media marketplaces, phishing emails disguised as order confirmations, and even fraudulent ads promoted by influencers. Younger adults, especially those who use payment apps like Venmo or Cash App, reported higher rates of exposure — a detail Pew first examined in a 2022 report on payment app security.

Why it matters

The financial impact can be significant. Victims often lose the full purchase price, and recovering money from peer‑to‑peer payment apps is much harder than reversing a credit card charge. Beyond the immediate loss, scammers may harvest personal information — name, address, card numbers — and use it for identity theft. The Federal Trade Commission says online shopping fraud was the second most common consumer complaint in 2024, and the numbers are only climbing as more commerce shifts to social platforms.

For sellers, the problem is also real: fake reviews and counterfeit product listings harm legitimate businesses and erode trust in online marketplaces.

What readers can do

You do not need to stop shopping online, but you should change a few habits. Here are concrete steps, backed by consumer protection agencies and the FTC.

1. Use a credit card, not a debit card or payment app.
Credit cards provide chargeback rights under the Fair Credit Billing Act. If an item never arrives or is not as described, you can dispute the charge. Debit cards and payment apps like Zelle or Cash App offer much weaker protections — once the money leaves your account, it is rarely recoverable.

2. Verify the seller before you click “buy.”
Search for the business name plus “scam” or “complaint.” Look up the website’s age on sites like Whois. Check independent review platforms such as the Better Business Bureau or Trustpilot — but be aware that fake reviews are common. A site with no social media presence, no physical address, and a recently registered domain is a red flag.

3. Watch for deals that seem too good.
Scammers lure shoppers with prices 50–80% below normal. If a luxury handbag is listed for $30, it is almost certainly a counterfeit or a trick to collect your payment data. The same goes for electronics and popular toys during holiday seasons.

4. Avoid gift cards and wire transfers as payment.
Legitimate sellers do not ask for payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire services like Western Union. These methods are nearly impossible to trace or reverse. If a seller insists on one, stop the transaction immediately.

5. Enable purchase protection where available.
Some credit cards and PayPal offer buyer protection programs. Read the terms: they often require you to file a claim within a certain number of days. Keep order confirmations, screenshots, and any correspondence.

6. Report scams when they happen.
If you are scammed, act quickly. Contact your bank or card issuer to dispute the charge. File a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Also report the fraudulent listing to the platform where you found it (e.g., Facebook Marketplace, eBay, TikTok Shop). If you shared personal data, consider freezing your credit with the three major bureaus.

Sources

• Pew Research Center. “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them.” November 2025.
• Pew Research Center. “Online Scams and Attacks in America Today.” July 2025.
• Pew Research Center. “Payment apps like Venmo and Cash App bring convenience – and security concerns.” September 2022.
• Pew Research Center. “A majority of U.S. TikTok users are there for product reviews and recommendations.” November 2024.
• Federal Trade Commission. Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2024.

The landscape of online fraud changes quickly, but the fundamentals of consumer caution do not. A few minutes of verification before you pay can keep your holiday shopping safe.