1 in 3 Americans Report Online Shopping Scams: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe

Intro

A new survey from the Pew Research Center finds that roughly one in three U.S. adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. The figure, drawn from a nationally representative poll conducted in late 2025, underscores how widespread these incidents have become. While most online purchases go through without trouble, the sheer number of people affected suggests that scammers are getting better at reaching everyday shoppers. Understanding who is most vulnerable and which tactics are most common can help you avoid becoming the next target.

What Happened

Pew’s report, published November 19, 2025, asked Americans about their encounters with digital fraud. The key finding: 33% of adults reported that they or someone in their household had been the victim of an online shopping scam. The survey also broke down the data by age, income, and education. Younger adults (ages 18–29) were more likely than older age groups to say they had been scammed—a pattern that may reflect their higher frequency of online shopping and use of less established platforms. Those with lower household incomes also reported higher rates of victimization.

The report builds on earlier Pew research that examined related fraud trends. For example, a July 2025 Pew study on “Online Scams and Attacks in America Today” found that phishing and identity theft remain common, and that many people struggle to distinguish legitimate messages from fraudulent ones. Another Pew analysis from 2022 showed that payment apps like Venmo and Cash App are widely used but raise security concerns among many users—a relevant point because scammers often pressure victims to use these apps.

Why It Matters

Online shopping scams cost consumers billions each year, but the real toll goes beyond money. Victims often lose time dealing with disputes, feel a sense of violation, and may become overly cautious about all digital transactions. The Pew data makes it clear that no one is immune. Even if you consider yourself careful, the sheer volume of fake listings and phishing attempts means that a momentary lapse—or a convincing enough fake—can lead to trouble.

The survey’s timing is also important. As more people use their phones for shopping and rely on recommendations from influencers, the opportunities for scammers multiply. Pew’s 2022 study on mobile shopping and influencer impact found that young adults in particular are influenced by social media personalities. Scammers have noticed: they create fake store pages, run fraudulent ads on social media, and even impersonate influencers to push bogus deals.

What Readers Can Do

Prevention is largely about habits that take only a few seconds but can save you from significant losses. Here are concrete steps you can take:

Verify the seller. Before buying from an unfamiliar online store, search for reviews on independent sites like the Better Business Bureau or Trustpilot. Look for multiple reports of non-delivery or poor customer service. If the only “reviews” are on the seller’s own site, be suspicious.
Use a credit card or a payment service with buyer protection. Credit cards typically allow you to dispute charges if goods are not delivered or are misrepresented. Debit cards and payment apps like Venmo or Cash App offer much weaker protections. If a seller insists on a payment method that lacks recourse, that’s a red flag.
Check for website red flags. A legitimate store will have a secure connection (https:// and a padlock icon), clear contact information, and a privacy policy. Scam sites often have typos, poor design, or URLs that mimic a well-known brand but with a slight variation (e.g., “amazonsale-now.net” instead of “amazon.com”).
Be skeptical of deals that seem too good. Deep discounts on high-demand items are a hallmark of scam listings. If a product that normally costs $500 is suddenly available for $50, it is almost certainly a fake.
Avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages. Scammers send phishing emails and texts that claim to offer exclusive deals. Instead, go directly to the retailer’s website and search for the offer.
Use two-factor authentication (2FA) on shopping accounts. This adds an extra layer of security even if your password is compromised.

If you do get scammed, act quickly. Report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, and contact your bank or credit card issuer to dispute the charge. In many cases, funds can be recovered if you report early.

Sources

Pew Research Center (November 19, 2025). “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them.”
Pew Research Center (July 31, 2025). “Online Scams and Attacks in America Today.”
Pew Research Center (September 8, 2022). “Payment apps like Venmo and Cash App bring convenience – and security concerns – to some users.”
Pew Research Center (November 21, 2022). “For shopping, phones are common and influencers have become a factor – especially for young adults.”