How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams (1 in 3 Americans Hit)

According to a November 2025 Pew Research Center survey, about a third of Americans say they have had an online shopping scam happen to them. That is not a niche problem. It affects a broad cross-section of consumers, though younger adults and frequent online shoppers report higher rates.

The statistic itself is a reminder that scams are no longer rare or obvious. They can look like a legitimate website, a trusted payment request, or a social media ad from a friend. This article covers the most common types of online shopping scams, how to recognize them before you lose money, and what to do if you are targeted.

What Happened: The Pew Findings

Pew’s survey, fielded in late 2025, asked Americans whether they had personally experienced an online shopping scam — defined as being tricked into paying for a product that never arrived, or paying for something that turned out to be fake or misrepresented. The answer: roughly one in three said yes.

The survey also found that certain groups are more exposed. Younger adults (ages 18–49) were more likely than older adults to have encountered a scam, partly because they shop online more often and across more platforms, including social media. People who use payment apps like Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle for purchases were also at higher risk, since those services typically offer weaker buyer protection than credit cards or dedicated payment platforms.

Why It Matters: The Real Cost of Convenience

Online shopping has become a routine part of life. But the convenience of buying from a phone or laptop also lowers the barrier for scammers. Fake e-commerce sites can be set up in hours. Phishing emails impersonating major retailers are hard to distinguish from the real thing. Social media ads for incredible deals often lead to a one-page store that collects payment and disappears.

Beyond the lost money, victims may also have their personal or financial information stolen. In some cases, scammers use that data to commit identity fraud or make unauthorized purchases. The emotional toll — embarrassment, frustration, distrust — can last longer than the financial hit.

What Readers Can Do: Practical Steps to Protect Yourself

Below are the most common scam types and actions you can take to avoid them.

1. Fake websites and impostor stores

Scammers build lookalike sites that mimic well-known brands or create entirely fake stores. They often advertise on social media or through search engine ads.

  • Check the domain name. Scammers use slight misspellings (e.g., “amaz0n.com”) or unusual top-level domains (e.g., “.shop” or “.xyz” for a major retailer).
  • Look for contact information. A real business provides a physical address and phone number. If the only contact is a web form or a generic email, be cautious.
  • Search for reviews outside the site. Search “[store name] + scam” or check the Better Business Bureau. If you see multiple complaints about non-delivery, avoid it.
  • Verify the site has been around. You can check domain age using WHOIS lookup tools. A site registered only a few weeks ago is a red flag.

2. Phishing emails and fake order confirmations

Phishing emails pretend to be from Amazon, eBay, or a delivery service, asking you to confirm an order, update payment details, or click a link to track a package. The goal is to steal login credentials or credit card numbers.

  • Do not click links in unsolicited emails. Instead, open your browser and navigate directly to the retailer’s website.
  • Look for generic greetings. Phishing emails often use “Dear customer” instead of your name.
  • Hover over links to see the actual URL before clicking. If it looks off, do not click.
  • Enable two-factor authentication on your shopping accounts. That way, even if a scammer gets your password, they cannot log in without the second factor.

3. Social media ads and influencer promotions

Scammers pay for ads on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok that show heavily discounted products. The ad leads to a storefront that may have dozens of positive reviews — but those reviews are often fake.

  • Check the seller’s profile. How long have they been active? Do they have a history of legitimate sales?
  • Use a credit card or PayPal’s Goods & Services when paying. These payment methods offer buyer protection if the item never arrives.
  • Be wary of flash sales that pressure you to “buy now or miss out.” Scammers rely on urgency to bypass your judgment.

4. Payment app fraud

Someone asks you to pay via Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle for a product they claim to be selling. Once the money is sent, the seller disappears. These apps are designed for peer-to-peer transfers, not purchases, and they rarely have dispute resolution.

  • Never use peer-to-peer payment apps to buy from strangers. Treat them like cash — once sent, it is gone.
  • If a seller insists on using these apps, that is a major red flag. Legitimate sellers accept credit cards or PayPal.

What to Do If You Have Been Scammed

If you realize you have paid for something that will not arrive — or you gave your card details to a fake site — take these steps as soon as possible.

  1. Contact your bank or credit card issuer. Report the transaction as fraudulent. Many issuers have a zero-liability policy for unauthorized charges.
  2. If you used a payment app, report the transaction to the app’s support team. The odds of recovery are low, but it helps build a record.
  3. File a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC uses complaint data to track scam trends and may take action against repeat offenders.
  4. Consider freezing your credit if you gave out your Social Security number or other sensitive info. You can freeze your credit with each of the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) for free.
  5. Change passwords for any accounts you used on the scam site, especially if you reused that password elsewhere.

Staying informed is the best defense. Scammers constantly adjust their tactics, but the basics stay the same: if a deal seems too good to be true, slow down. Use secure payment methods. Verify the seller. And remember — one in three Americans has been caught off guard, so it is worth taking a few extra minutes before clicking “buy.”

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, “Payment apps like Venmo and Cash App bring convenience – and security concerns – to some users,” September 2022.
  • Federal Trade Commission, consumer advice on online shopping scams.