1 in 3 Americans Say They’ve Been Scammed While Shopping Online — Here’s How to Stay Safe

New research from the Pew Research Center shows that online shopping scams are far more common than many people realize. According to a study released in November 2025, 33% of U.S. adults — roughly one in three — say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That number alone should make any regular shopper pause, especially with the holiday season approaching when deals and discounts flood your inbox and social media feeds.

The findings come from a broader Pew survey on online scams and attacks, which also found that younger adults are especially vulnerable, often targeted through social media ads and influencer promotions. The data reinforces something security experts have been saying for years: scammers are becoming more sophisticated, and the old advice of “if it looks too good to be true, it probably is” is no longer enough.

What happened

Pew’s survey, conducted in July 2025 and published in November, asked Americans about a range of online fraud experiences. One of the standout findings: 33% of respondents reported that they had fallen victim to an online shopping scam at some point. The study defines these scams broadly — they include fake websites that mimic legitimate retailers, phishing emails that look like order confirmations, fraudulent listings on social media marketplaces, and sellers who take payment and never ship the product.

The research also highlights that payment apps such as Venmo and Cash App are a common vector for these scams, especially when buyers are pressured to use them instead of a credit card. In a separate 2022 Pew report, a notable share of users expressed concern about the security of these apps, and the new data suggests those concerns are well-founded.

Why it matters

Online shopping is now a routine part of life for most Americans. The convenience of buying with a single click also creates opportunities for scammers to intercept payments or steal personal information. A single scam can cost a victim hundreds of dollars — and, if credit card or bank details are compromised, lead to identity theft that takes months to resolve.

With major sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday around the corner, the timing of this report is important. Shoppers who are already looking for bargains may be more likely to let their guard down. Scammers know this and ramp up their efforts during peak shopping seasons.

Beyond the immediate financial loss, there’s also the erosion of trust. Many people who have been scammed become more cautious or stop shopping from smaller sellers altogether, which hurts legitimate businesses.

What readers can do

You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to protect yourself. Most scams rely on common tactics that are avoidable with a little awareness.

Use a credit card whenever possible. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards, and many issuers provide zero-liability policies. Payment apps like Venmo, Cash App, and Zelle are designed for peer-to-peer transfers, not retail purchases — they often lack buyer protection and are harder to reverse.

Check the website URL carefully. Scammers often register domain names that look like the real thing but have subtle misspellings (e.g., “amaz0n.com” instead of “amazon.com”). Look for “https://” and a padlock icon in the address bar, though be aware that these are not foolproof guarantees of legitimacy.

Don’t click on unsolicited links. If you receive an email, text, or social media message promoting a deal, go to the retailer’s website directly by typing the address into your browser. Phishing messages can look nearly identical to real company communications.

Research the seller before you buy. For unfamiliar online stores, search for reviews and complaints. Check the Better Business Bureau or use search terms like “[store name] scam” to see if others have reported problems.

Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication. A password manager can help you avoid reusing passwords across sites. Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security that makes it harder for scammers to access your accounts even if they steal your password.

If you are scammed, act quickly. Contact your bank or credit card issuer to dispute the charge. File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and, if the scam occurred on a platform like Facebook Marketplace or eBay, report it to that platform as well. For identity theft concerns, visit IdentityTheft.gov.

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 – to some users,” September 2022.
  • Federal Trade Commission, “What To Do If You Were Scammed” (ftc.gov).