Nearly 1 in 3 Americans Has Been Scammed While Shopping Online – Here’s What to Watch For

Intro

If you’ve ever clicked a too-good-to-be-true deal on social media or entered payment details on a sketchy website, you’re far from alone. A new survey from the Pew Research Center found that roughly one in three Americans say they have experienced an online shopping scam. The figure underscores how common these schemes have become—and why taking a few extra seconds before hitting “buy” can save you both money and frustration.

This article breaks down the key findings from that survey, explains why the problem is growing, and offers practical steps to avoid falling victim.

What happened

In November 2025, Pew Research Center published a study titled “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them.” The nationally representative survey asked respondents whether they had personally encountered a scam while shopping online. The results: roughly 33% said yes.

The study didn’t just measure prevalence—it also looked at the types of scams consumers face. Among the most common were fake websites that mimic legitimate stores, social media ads for products that never arrive, phishing emails posing as order confirmations, and fraud involving payment apps like Venmo or Cash App.

Pew’s data aligns with earlier reports from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which has consistently flagged online shopping as one of the top categories for consumer fraud reports.

Why it matters

Online shopping is now a routine part of life for most Americans. The convenience of buying everything from groceries to electronics with a few clicks can make it easy to overlook warning signs. But scammers have become sophisticated. They build realistic-looking storefronts, use stolen logos, and exploit urgency (“Only 3 left!”) to push people into decisions they later regret.

The financial impact varies—some lose small amounts, others hundreds or thousands of dollars. Beyond the money, there’s the hassle of disputing charges, replacing compromised cards, and dealing with identity theft if personal information was stolen.

What’s more, the rise of social media shopping and influencer promotions—especially among younger adults—has opened new avenues for fraud. Pew’s earlier research (2022) found that phones are now a common shopping device and that influencers have become a factor for many buyers, particularly those under 30. This shift makes it even more important to verify who you’re buying from, not just what you’re buying.

What readers can do

You can lower your risk by building a few simple habits into your shopping routine.

Recognize common red flags

  • Prices that are far below market value (a new laptop for $200 is almost never real).
  • Countdown timers or “limited quantity” warnings designed to rush you.
  • Websites with poor grammar, broken English, or missing contact information.
  • Payment requests only through bank transfers, gift cards, or peer-to-peer apps like Venmo or Zelle.

Verify the seller

  • Look up the business name plus “scam” or “review” to see if others have reported problems.
  • Check for a physical address and a working customer service phone number.
  • For unfamiliar sites, search for user reviews on independent platforms (not testimonials on the site itself).

Use safer payment methods

  • Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards or payment apps. Under federal law, you can often dispute unauthorized charges.
  • For larger purchases, consider using a virtual credit card number (many banks offer this) or a service like PayPal that acts as a buffer.

Protect your device and data

  • Make sure the website URL starts with “https://” (the “s” stands for secure).
  • Avoid clicking on ads that appear on social media or in unsolicited emails. Instead, go directly to the retailer’s website.
  • Keep your browser and antivirus software up to date.

If you think you’ve been scammed

  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to report the transaction and ask for a chargeback.
  • File a complaint with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  • If you gave away personal information (like your Social Security number), place a fraud alert or freeze on your credit files through Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

Sources

  • Pew Research Center. “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them.” November 19, 2025.
  • Pew Research Center. “For shopping, phones are common and influencers have become a factor – especially for young adults.” November 21, 2022.
  • Federal Trade Commission. Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book (multiple years). Available at ftc.gov.