Nearly 1 in 3 Americans Has Faced an Online Shopping Scam: How to Protect Yourself

If you shop online, you’ve probably seen deals that seem too good to be true. Sometimes, they are exactly that—part of a scam. Recent data from Pew Research Center confirms that online shopping fraud is widespread: about one-third of U.S. adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam.

That figure comes from a July 2025 Pew report on online scams and attacks in America. The problem is not rare, and it affects people across age groups and income levels. Understanding how these scams work and how to spot them can save you money, time, and stress.

What happened

Pew surveyed a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults and found that 32% reported having an online shopping scam happen to them. The report also noted that younger adults and frequent online shoppers are particularly at risk. Common scenarios included:

  • Fake websites that mimic legitimate retailers, often with slightly altered URLs (for example, “amaz0n.com” instead of amazon.com).
  • Phishing emails disguised as order confirmations, shipping updates, or payment requests.
  • Social media ads that lead to fraudulent sellers, especially on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where product recommendations from influencers may be sponsored by scammers.
  • Payment fraud through payment apps like Venmo or Cash App, where transactions are harder to reverse than credit card charges.

The data aligns with other research: the Federal Trade Commission reported more than $8.8 billion in consumer fraud losses in 2024, with online shopping scams among the top categories.

Why it matters

Online shopping scams are not just a nuisance—they can lead to direct financial loss, identity theft, and compromised personal information. Even if you don’t lose money, falling for a scam can expose your credit card details, home address, or email to criminals. The Pew research shows that these incidents are common, so it’s not a matter of “if” you’ll encounter one but “when.”

The consequences go beyond the immediate purchase. Scammers may reuse your information for future attacks, sell it on the dark web, or use it to impersonate you. Younger adults often shop on mobile devices and via social media, which may have fewer built-in safeguards than desktop browsers or established platforms.

What readers can do

You don’t need to stop shopping online, but you can take practical steps to reduce risk. Here’s what security experts and consumer protection agencies recommend.

Before you buy

  • Check the URL carefully. Look for misspellings, extra characters, or unusual domain endings (like .xyz or .shop). Legitimate stores use well-known domains.
  • **Research the seller.**If you see a product on social media, search for the seller’s name plus “scam” or “review.” Check sites like the Better Business Bureau or Trustpilot.
  • Use a credit card. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protections than debit cards, bank transfers, or payment apps. Avoid wiring money or using cryptocurrency for purchases from unknown sellers.
  • Watch for urgency. Scammers often say “limited stock” or “sale ends today” to pressure you. Take your time.
  • Verify payment pages. The URL should start with “https://” and show a padlock icon. But note: some fake sites also use HTTPS, so don’t rely on that alone.

If you think you’ve already been scammed

  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately. They can stop the transaction, reverse charges, and issue a new card.
  • Change your passwords. Especially for email, banking, and any account where you used the same password.
  • Report the scam. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) if the scam involved crossing state lines.
  • Freeze your credit if you shared sensitive personal information (Social Security number, driver’s license). Freezing is free and prevents new accounts from being opened in your name.
  • Monitor your accounts. Check bank and credit card statements for any unusual charges over the next few weeks.

Long-term habits

  • Enable purchase alerts on your credit cards so you get notified of every transaction.
  • Use a dedicated credit card or virtual card number for online shopping.
  • Keep your phone and browser updated. Scammers exploit outdated software.
  • Be skeptical of unsolicited messages, even if they appear to come from companies you use. Contact the company directly.

Sources

Note: The Pew data cited comes from surveys conducted in 2025. As with all survey research, results are estimates based on sampled respondents and may differ from the full population.