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

If you’ve ever clicked a too-good-to-be-true deal and ended up with nothing but an empty bank account, you’re not alone. According to a new Pew Research Center survey published in November 2025, about one in three U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That’s roughly 33% of American shoppers—a number that warrants attention whether you shop every week or only during the holiday rush.

What Happened

Pew’s report, based on data collected earlier in 2025, found that online shopping scams have become one of the most common types of fraud Americans encounter. The survey asked respondents about a range of digital fraud experiences, and the “online shopping scam” category topped the list alongside phishing attempts and account takeovers. The researchers defined these scams as situations where someone paid for an item online but never received it, or received something significantly different from what was advertised, often after being lured by a fake website or social media ad.

The study also highlighted that younger adults and those who shop frequently on mobile devices reported higher rates of victimization. Black Friday and Cyber Monday periods are especially risky, as the flood of deals makes it easier for criminals to hide fraudulent listings among legitimate ones.

Why It Matters

A 1-in-3 rate is not a fringe issue—it’s a mainstream consumer risk. For context, that’s roughly the same proportion of Americans who say they’ve encountered a phishing email. The financial damage can range from a few lost dollars to thousands, and the emotional toll includes frustration, distrust of online platforms, and time wasted disputing charges. For many people, a single scam can deter them from shopping online altogether.

Beyond individual losses, widespread fraud erodes trust in e-commerce and makes it harder for honest small businesses to compete. When shoppers become afraid to click “buy,” everyone loses.

What Readers Can Do

The good news is that most online shopping scams follow recognizable patterns. Here are concrete steps to reduce your risk.

1. Recognize the most common scam types.

  • Fake websites that mimic real stores, often with a slightly misspelled URL (e.g., “amaz0n-deals.com” instead of “amazon.com”).
  • Phishing emails or texts offering exclusive discounts and containing links that lead to credential-stealing pages.
  • Too-good-to-be-true prices on popular items like electronics, sneakers, or designer goods—if it’s 80% off everywhere else, it’s likely a fake.
  • Fake reviews used to make scam products look legitimate. Check for reviews that are generic or all posted on the same date.

2. Look for red flags before you pay.

  • The seller asks for payment via wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency rather than a credit card or a recognized payment service (like PayPal or Apple Pay).
  • The website lacks a physical address or customer service phone number, or the contact info looks suspicious.
  • The domain was registered very recently (you can check using a WHOIS lookup tool).
  • The checkout page does not use HTTPS (the padlock icon in the address bar).

3. Use safer payment methods. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards. If you use a third-party payment service, make sure it offers buyer protection. Avoid direct bank transfers or sending cash to individuals you don’t know.

4. Verify the seller independently. If you find a deal on social media or in an unexpected email, go directly to the brand’s official website rather than clicking the link. For marketplace purchases, read the seller’s history and check for verified badges.

5. Act quickly if you think you’ve been scammed.

  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to dispute the charge.
  • Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  • If you gave out personal information (like your Social Security number or date of birth), consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).

6. Enable two-factor authentication on your payment accounts and email. This makes it harder for scammers to hijack your accounts even if they steal your password.

7. Stay cautious during peak shopping seasons. Criminals ramp up their efforts around Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the holidays. If a deal appears in a random email or text, it’s safer to ignore it and search for the same item on known retailer sites.

Sources

  • Pew Research Center, “About 1 in 3 Americans say they experienced an online shopping scam,” November 2025. (Original report linked in Google News results; full report available at pewresearch.org)
  • Fingerlakes1.com, “BLACK FRIDAY SCAMS: What to watch out for online this year,” November 2025.
  • Pew Research Center, “Online Scams and Attacks in America Today,” July 2025.

No single tip can guarantee complete safety, but combining a few of these habits will make you a much harder target. The best defense remains a skeptical eye—treat every unsolicited deal as suspicious until you can verify it through a source you trust.