One in Three Shoppers Has Been Scammed Online: Here’s How to Avoid Being Next

If you’ve ever bought something online and never received it, or clicked a promising deal only to find your credit card charged for something you didn’t order, you’re not alone. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, roughly one in three Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That figure is a stark reminder that fraudulent sellers and bogus offers are not rare edge cases — they’re a regular part of the modern shopping landscape.

What Happened

The Pew study, published in November 2025, asked U.S. adults about their experiences with various types of online scams. Among the findings, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That includes fake websites that take payment and vanish, phony social media advertisements for goods that never ship, and “too good to be true” discounts that turn out to be phishing traps. The data underscores that online shopping scams are widespread enough that most of us know someone who has been affected — and many of us have experienced it directly.

Why It Matters

Online shopping scams are especially dangerous during peak buying periods like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the holiday season. Scammers know people are hunting for deals and are more likely to click first and think later. The financial harm can range from a few dollars lost to full-blown identity theft if you enter personal information on a fraudulent site.

Beyond the immediate loss, there’s a trust cost. When scams feel routine, consumers become either overly cautious (missing out on genuine bargains) or desensitized (clicking on anything without checking). Neither is healthy for online commerce. Knowing the patterns can help you stay safe without becoming paranoid.

What Readers Can Do

Here are practical, concrete steps to reduce your risk — whether you’re a seasoned online shopper or someone who buys gifts only a few times a year.

Stick with credit cards, not debit cards or payment apps. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection under federal law. Debit cards and payment apps like Venmo or Cash App often lack the same chargeback rights, making it much harder to recover your money. If a seller insists on a payment method you can’t dispute, that’s a red flag.

Check the website before you buy. Look for HTTPS in the address bar (the little lock icon). But that alone isn’t enough — many scam sites also use HTTPS. Read the site’s “About Us,” “Contact,” and return policy pages. Vague or missing contact information is a warning. Search for reviews of the retailer outside its own site, especially on platforms like the Better Business Bureau or Trustpilot.

Be suspicious of deals that seem unreal. If a new iPhone is listed for $200, it’s almost certainly a scam. Scammers exploit urgency with countdown timers or “only 3 left” messages. Don’t let a ticking clock override your better judgment.

Avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages. Whether sent via email, text, or social media, links promoting flash sales or “exclusive discounts” can lead to phishing pages that steal your login and payment details. Instead, go directly to the retailer’s official website or app.

Research the seller on social media. Many scams now originate from ads on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Before buying, check the seller’s profile history: how long have they been active? Do they have consistent, verifiable reviews? Accounts that are brand new or have only glowing, generic feedback are suspect.

What to do if you get scammed. Act quickly. Contact your bank or credit card issuer to dispute the charge. Freeze any compromised accounts. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your state’s consumer protection office. If you provided personal information, consider placing a fraud alert on your credit files.

Sources

  • Pew Research Center. “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them.” November 2025.
  • Federal Trade Commission. “How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams.”
  • Better Business Bureau. “Online Shopping Scams: How to Spot Them.”

The most effective defense against online shopping scams is a healthy dose of skepticism combined with a few routine checks. The next time a deal looks too good, pause. That extra minute could save you far more than the discount promised.