Nearly 1 in 3 Americans Have Been Scammed While Shopping Online – Here’s How to Stay Safe

If you shop online frequently, you may have wondered how common scams really are. A new study from the Pew Research Center provides a clear answer: about a third of U.S. adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That figure, released in November 2025, underscores a threat that touches millions of households. The good news is that most of these scams follow predictable patterns, and once you know what to look for, you can avoid them.

What Happened

Pew surveyed American adults and found that 31 percent reported being the victim of an online shopping scam. The study, published on November 19, 2025, is part of a broader look at digital fraud. Common scenarios included fake websites that look like major retailers, phishing emails that ask for login or payment details, and fraudulent sellers on social media marketplaces. Payment apps like Venmo and Cash App are also frequent targets because they lack the same fraud protections as credit cards—once you send money, it is difficult to recover.

Why It Matters

Online shopping continues to grow. More than half of U.S. adults say they shop online at least monthly, and a growing number use social media platforms like TikTok to discover products. Scammers adapt quickly to these trends. They set up convincing storefronts, run targeted ads, and exploit the sense of urgency created by limited-time deals. Because many people use debit cards or payment apps for convenience, a single scam can drain a bank account with little recourse. Knowing the warning signs is no longer optional—it is a basic part of being an informed consumer.

What Readers Can Do

You can reduce your risk significantly by following a few straightforward practices.

Spot the Red Flags

  • Too-good-to-be-true prices. If a popular item is listed at 80 percent off, it is almost certainly a fake.
  • Poor website quality. Misspellings, blurry images, and broken contact pages are signs of a hastily built scam site.
  • Unusual payment requests. Legitimate sellers typically accept credit cards or PayPal. Demands for wire transfers, gift cards, or payment apps like Zelle or Cash App are a major warning.
  • Vague or missing return policies. Real businesses publish clear terms. If you cannot find a return address or refund policy, move on.

Protect Yourself Proactively

  • Use a credit card, not a debit card. Credit cards offer chargeback rights under federal law; debit cards do not have the same protections.
  • Enable two-factor authentication on your email and payment accounts. This extra step makes it harder for scammers to take over your accounts.
  • Check for HTTPS in the website address. Look for the lock icon, but note that HTTPS alone does not guarantee legitimacy—it only means the connection is encrypted.
  • Use a password manager to generate and store strong, unique passwords for each shopping site. Reusing passwords is a common way scammers access accounts after a data breach.
  • Research the seller. Search for the store name plus “scam” or “review.” Check the Better Business Bureau website. Look for complaints on consumer forums.

If You Are Scammed

Act fast. The longer you wait, the less likely you are to recover your money.

  1. Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately. Report the transaction and request a chargeback if you used credit.
  2. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) if the amount is significant.
  3. If you shared login credentials, change your passwords right away and enable two-factor authentication.
  4. Consider freezing your credit if the scammer obtained personal information like your Social Security number. A credit freeze prevents new accounts from being opened in your name.
  5. Document everything—screenshots, emails, transaction IDs. This information will be needed by investigators and your bank.

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. “Online Scams and Attacks in America Today.” July 31, 2025.
  • Pew Research Center. “Payment Apps Like Venmo and Cash App Bring Convenience – and Security Concerns – to Some Users.” September 8, 2022.
  • Federal Trade Commission. “What to Do if You Were Scammed.” ftc.gov.

Staying safe while shopping online does not require advanced technical skills. It requires awareness of common tricks and the discipline to pause before clicking “buy.” The statistic from Pew is a reminder that fraud is not rare—but with the right habits, you can keep yourself off the list of victims.