Nearly 1 in 3 Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam – Here’s How to Stay Safe
If you shop online, the odds are uncomfortably high that you’ve already been targeted. According to a November 2025 report from the Pew Research Center, about one in three U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That statistic alone should give anyone pause, but the real concern is that these scams are becoming more common and more convincing.
The holiday shopping season is a prime time for scammers to strike. With that in mind, it helps to know what these scams look like, how to avoid them, and what to do if you become a victim.
What happened? The data behind the statistic
Pew’s survey, conducted in 2025, found that 32% of American adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. The report covers a range of fraud types, including fake websites, phishing emails that mimic legitimate retailers, and scams that take place on social media marketplaces.
Importantly, younger adults appear to be at higher risk. Pew’s earlier research (2024) showed that a majority of TikTok users rely on the platform for product reviews and recommendations – a space where scam listings can easily blend in with genuine content. Payment apps like Venmo and Cash App are also a common vector, as a 2022 Pew study found that many users are concerned about security but still use these services for purchases.
The takeaway is clear: online shopping scams are not rare or niche. They affect a wide cross-section of the population, and the methods scammers use evolve quickly.
Why it matters now
The timing of the Pew report coincides with the busiest shopping months of the year. Holiday sales drive more transactions, more urgency, and more opportunities for fraud. When people are hunting for deals, they may lower their guard – especially when a discount seems too good to pass up.
Moreover, the shift toward mobile and social-media-based shopping continues. Many consumers now discover products through influencers or targeted ads on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok. While many of these leads are legitimate, scammers have gotten skilled at creating fake storefronts and impersonating trusted brands.
The financial harm can be significant. Some victims lose hundreds of dollars; others have their payment information stolen and used for larger fraud. Beyond the immediate loss, identity theft can create months of headaches.
What you can do to protect yourself
There is no foolproof method to avoid every scam, but you can dramatically reduce your risk by following a few practical guidelines.
Use a credit card for online purchases. Credit cards typically offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards or payment apps. If a purchase turns out to be fraudulent, you can dispute the charge with your card issuer. Debit cards and peer-to-peer apps like Venmo or Zelle are much harder to reverse.
Verify the seller before you buy. If you’re shopping on a site you’ve never used before, do a quick background check. Search for the business name plus “scam” or “review.” Look for contact information, return policies, and a physical address. Be skeptical of sites that have no presence outside a single page.
Be wary of deals that seem too good. Scammers often lure people with items priced well below market value. If a pair of popular sneakers is listed at 80% off on an obscure site, it’s almost certainly a fake. Trust your gut.
Avoid clicking unsolicited links. Phishing emails and fake social media ads are common entry points. If an offer arrives in your inbox or DMs from an unknown sender, do not click. Instead, navigate directly to the retailer’s official website.
Check for secure connections. Look for “https://” in the URL and a padlock icon before entering payment details. That alone doesn’t guarantee legitimacy, but sites without it should be avoided entirely.
Use strong, unique passwords. If a scammer does compromise your account on one site, reusing passwords elsewhere can lead to broader damage. A password manager can help.
What to do if you are scammed
If you realize you’ve been tricked, act quickly.
- Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately. They may be able to stop the transaction or reverse it.
- Report the scam to the platform where it occurred. Social media sites, payment apps, and e-commerce marketplaces have reporting mechanisms.
- File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC uses these reports to track patterns and sometimes take action.
- Monitor your accounts for any unusual activity for several months after the incident.
- Consider a credit freeze if you suspect your personal information has been stolen. This prevents new accounts from being opened in your name.
Even if the amount lost is small, reporting matters. It helps authorities understand the scope of the problem and may protect others.
Staying safe this shopping season
The one-in-three statistic is sobering, but it doesn’t mean you should stop shopping online. It does mean you should stay alert. Scammers are counting on speed and distraction; a few seconds of caution can prevent a lot of trouble.
If you remember nothing else: use a credit card, verify unknown sellers, and be suspicious of unsolicited deals. Those habits alone cover most of the common attack vectors.
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, “A majority of U.S. TikTok users are there for product reviews and recommendations,” November 2024.
- Pew Research Center, “Payment apps like Venmo and Cash App bring convenience – and security concerns – to some users,” September 2022.