One in Three Americans Have Been Scammed While Shopping Online. Here’s What You Can Do.
If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or clicked a link that turned out to be fake, you are far from alone. A new survey from Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, found that about a third of U.S. adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That’s roughly 33 percent of all American adults – a figure that should catch any regular shopper’s attention.
The timing matters. With holiday shopping season underway, many consumers are actively looking for deals and may be more willing to click quickly before thinking twice. Scammers know this and adjust their tactics accordingly.
What the Pew Data Actually Says
Pew asked a representative sample of U.S. adults whether they had ever been the victim of an online shopping scam – something where they paid for an item but never received it, or where the seller turned out to be fraudulent. The result was clear: roughly one in three said yes. That share is consistent with other surveys Pew has conducted on digital fraud in recent years, though the specific question about “shopping scams” made this wave notable for its focus on e‑commerce.
The survey also covered related topics: payment app security and the growing role of social media in product discovery. For instance, earlier Pew work found that a majority of TikTok users are on the platform for product reviews and recommendations, which opens another avenue for scams to spread through influencer marketing or fake listings.
Why This Matters for Everyday Shoppers
Online shopping scams are not just a nuisance. They can cost you real money, and in some cases they can lead to identity theft if you hand over personal information. The scams come in many forms:
- Fake websites that mimic well-known stores, often with misspelled URLs or slightly different domain extensions.
- Social media ads offering unbelievable discounts on popular items, leading to a site that collects your payment but never ships anything.
- Phishing emails that appear to be from Amazon, eBay, or other retailers, asking you to confirm an order or update your account.
- Payment app fraud where a seller insists on Venmo or Cash App, which offer little to no buyer protection for goods not received.
The common thread is pressure: a limited-time offer, a low stock warning, or a sense that you must act fast. Scammers rely on speed and emotion.
How to Protect Yourself
You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to reduce your risk. A few straightforward habits go a long way.
Use a credit card, not a debit card or payment app. Credit cards generally provide stronger fraud protection under federal law. If a purchase goes wrong, you can dispute the charge. Debit cards have weaker protections, and payment apps like Venmo and Cash App are designed for person‑to‑person transfers, not commercial purchases. If a seller asks you to use one of those, consider it a red flag.
Check the website carefully. Look for signs of legitimacy: a professional layout, clear contact information, and a privacy policy. But don’t stop there. Search for the store name plus “scam” or “review” to see what others report. Also verify the URL – a common trick is using a lookalike domain such as “amaz0n-deals.com” instead of amazon.com.
Be skeptical of deals that seem too good. That brand‑new laptop for 70% off? Probably not real. Compare prices across multiple sites. If one seller is far below everyone else, there’s usually a catch.
Enable two‑factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts. This adds a second step (like a code sent to your phone) when you log in. It won’t prevent you from falling for a fake website, but it does make it harder for someone to hijack your real account if your password gets stolen.
Stick to reputable marketplaces when possible. Amazon, eBay, and other large platforms have buyer protection policies. Individual sellers on social media or independent websites are riskier. If you do buy from a small site, use a payment method that offers recourse.
What to Do If You Get Scammed
It happens even to careful shoppers. If you realize you’ve been taken:
- Contact your bank or credit card company immediately to report the transaction and request a chargeback. Time matters.
- Change the passwords for any accounts you may have entered on the scam site.
- Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. They use these reports to track patterns and can sometimes help.
- If you shared sensitive information like your Social Security number, consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with the three major credit bureaus.
The important thing is not to be embarrassed – the numbers show this is a widespread problem, not a reflection of poor judgment.
The Bottom Line
One in three Americans has already been hit by an online shopping scam. That statistic is a reminder that no one is immune, but being aware of the most common tactics can keep you from becoming the next victim. Slow down, verify before paying, and use payment methods that protect you. A few seconds of caution can save you from a long, frustrating recovery.
Sources:
Pew Research Center, “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them,” November 2025. Additional context drawn from Pew Research Center reports on payment apps (September 2022) and TikTok’s role in product discovery (November 2024).