Nearly 1 in 3 Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam — Here’s How to Avoid It

If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or paid for a “deal” that turned out to be a fake listing, you’re not alone. New research from the Pew Research Center shows that about one in three U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. With the holiday season approaching, that number is likely to climb as scammers step up their efforts.

What Happened

In a survey published in November 2025, Pew found that roughly 33% of Americans reported having an online shopping scam happen to them. The data comes from a nationally representative poll of U.S. adults and is part of a broader look at digital fraud. (The survey did not differentiate between minor incidents and major financial losses, so the real impact may vary, but the scale is clear: these scams are common.)

Common schemes include fake websites that mimic legitimate stores, listings for products that don’t exist on platforms like eBay or Facebook Marketplace, phishing emails that look like order confirmations, and payment-app requests that disappear after you send money. Scammers also use social media ads and influencer-style posts to promote counterfeit goods or phantom inventory.

Why It Matters

Online shopping is now routine for most Americans. Nearly 80% of adults buy something online at least occasionally, and a growing share make purchases through their phones or via links from influencers and ads. Each transaction is a potential opening for a scam.

The stakes are higher during the holiday season. People are in a hurry, expecting packages, and more likely to click on a deal that seems too good to pass up. The Pew data underscores that no demographic is immune—scams cut across age, income, and education levels. Knowing how they work is the first step to avoiding them.

What Readers Can Do

Fortunately, most online shopping scams follow predictable patterns. Here are concrete steps you can take to protect yourself:

Check the seller before you buy.
If you’re on a site you don’t know, look for contact information, a physical address, and a return policy. Search for the store name plus “scam” or “review” to see if others have reported problems. On platforms like Amazon or Etsy, stick to sellers with a long history and positive ratings—but be aware that even reviews can be faked. Use a site like the Better Business Bureau or a third-party review aggregator for extra verification.

Avoid unusual payment methods.
Scammers often ask for payment via wire transfer, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or peer-to-peer apps like Venmo and Cash App. These methods offer little to no buyer protection. Whenever possible, use a credit card. Credit card issuers generally allow you to dispute charges if the item never arrives or is not as described. Debit cards offer less protection, and bank transfers are almost impossible to reverse.

Look for the common red flags.

  • Prices that are dramatically lower than anywhere else.
  • Countdown timers or messages saying “only 2 left” to pressure you into buying.
  • Websites with typos, odd URLs, or no padlock icon in the address bar.
  • Emails or texts that ask you to click a link to track a package or confirm an order you don’t remember placing.
  • Sellers who insist on communicating outside the platform’s messaging system (e.g., asking you to text them directly).

Secure your accounts.
Use a strong, unique password for each shopping site, and enable two-factor authentication where available. Avoid saving payment details on websites you don’t use regularly. If you reuse passwords, a breach on one site can make you vulnerable on others.

If you’re scammed, act quickly.
Contact your bank or credit card company immediately to report the fraudulent charge and request a chargeback. Then file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If the scam involved a payment app, report the transaction to the app’s support team. In severe cases—such as identity theft—place a fraud alert or freeze your credit with the three major bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). You can do this for free online.

Staying Alert Without Staying Scared

Online shopping is not something to fear, but it does reward a little caution. The simplest habit: if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Take an extra minute to verify the seller, use a payment method that protects you, and listen to that nagging feeling when something feels off. The Pew data shows that most scams are preventable—they just rely on people moving too fast. Slow down, and you’ll almost certainly be fine.

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.
  • FTC, “How to Avoid Online Shopping Scams,” ftc.gov.