1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams: What to Look For and How to Stay Safe

If you’ve bought something online that never arrived, or paid for a “deal” that turned out to be a trap, you’re far from alone. According to a Pew Research Center study published in November 2025, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That number is a stark reminder that fraud has become a routine part of e‑commerce, not an edge case.

This post walks through what the data tells us, why scams have become so common, and what you can do to protect yourself without giving up the convenience of shopping online.

What the Pew Research Found

The study, conducted in the fall of 2025, asked U.S. adults about their personal encounters with online shopping scams. The result: roughly 33% of respondents reported being hit by at least one such scam. That includes everything from fake websites that take your money and vanish to phony ads on social media that look like legitimate brands.

It’s worth noting that this figure only captures self‑reported incidents. The actual number could be higher, because many people may not realize they’ve been scammed until weeks later, or they may be embarrassed to admit it.

The research also ties into broader trends. Earlier in 2025, Pew released a report on online scams and attacks showing that phishing, fake messages, and identity‑theft attempts are widespread. And separate Pew data from 2022 through 2024 documents the surge in mobile shopping and the growing role of influencers in purchase decisions—both of which create new avenues for scammers.

Why Online Shopping Scams Are So Prevalent

Several factors have converged to make these scams common:

Urgency and impulse buying. Many fraudulent listings promote limited‑time deals or claim stock is running low. That pressure pushes shoppers to click “Buy Now” without checking the seller.

Social media and influencer ads. Scammers know that people trust recommendations from accounts they follow. They create counterfeit storefronts that look like a friend’s post or an influencer’s endorsed product. Pew’s 2024 research on TikTok users, for instance, found that a majority use the platform for product reviews, which scammers exploit.

Mobile payment apps. Apps like Venmo, Cash App, and Zelle are convenient, but they lack the buyer protection that credit cards offer. Scammers often insist on these payment methods, knowing that once money is sent, it’s hard to get back.

Fake urgency and phishing emails. You might receive an email that looks exactly like a shipping confirmation from Amazon or UPS, but the link leads to a phishing site. Clicking it can steal your login credentials or install malware.

How to Protect Yourself (Practical Steps)

None of this means you should abandon online shopping. But a few habits can dramatically lower your risk.

1. Verify the seller before you pay. If you’re on a website you’ve never used, search for reviews from independent sources. Look for a physical address and a customer service phone number. Fake sites often have no contact info or only a generic email.

2. Use a credit card for online purchases. Credit cards generally offer chargeback rights if goods aren’t delivered. Debit cards and payment apps are much harder to reverse. If a seller insists on a payment method like Zelle or wire transfer, treat that as a red flag.

3. Check the URL and look for HTTPS. Scammers often spoof legitimate domains with subtle typos (amaz0n.com instead of amazon.com). Always confirm the address before entering payment details. The site should have a padlock icon and a URL that starts with “https://”.

4. Be skeptical of unsolicited messages. A text or email that claims a package is delayed and asks you to click a link is almost certainly a phishing attempt. Go directly to the carrier’s official website (UPS.com, USPS.com) and track your package from there.

5. Avoid buying from social media ads unless you know the brand. Many fake storefronts run targeted ads on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. If you don’t recognize the company, do a quick search for complaints before buying.

What to Do If You Are Scammed

Even careful shoppers can get caught. If you realize you’ve been scammed:

  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately. They can start a chargeback or block further payments.
  • Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. This helps authorities track patterns and may assist in recovery.
  • Change your passwords, especially if you entered login credentials on a fake site.
  • Monitor your accounts for unauthorized charges over the next several weeks.

Staying Safe Going Forward

The Pew data makes clear that online shopping scams are not rare. Roughly one in three Americans has already encountered one. By staying alert and using the precautions above, you can reduce the odds of becoming another statistic. The convenience of shopping from home is real, but it’s not worth handing over your money—or your personal information—to a scammer.

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.
  • Pew Research Center. “For shopping, Americans turn to mobile phones while influencers become a factor.” November 21, 2022.
  • 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.
  • Pew Research Center. “Online shopping has grown rapidly in the U.S., but most sales are still in stores.” November 22, 2023.