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

A new survey from the Pew Research Center puts a number on something many of us have suspected: online shopping scams are alarmingly common. According to the study, published November 19, 2025, about 32% of U.S. adults – roughly one in three – say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. With the holiday shopping season upon us, that figure is likely to climb. Here’s what the data shows and how you can avoid becoming a statistic.

What happened

Pew’s nationally representative survey asked Americans whether they had ever encountered a scam while shopping online. The results: 32% said yes. That covers everything from paying for items that never arrived to receiving counterfeit goods, being tricked by fake websites, or falling for phishing emails that impersonate retailers.

The report also found that certain groups are more vulnerable. Younger adults, those with lower household incomes, and people who shop frequently on social media or mobile apps reported higher rates of victimization. Scammers adapt quickly, and the platforms where consumers spend the most time are also where the traps are set.

Why it matters

Online shopping scams aren’t just an inconvenience. They can drain bank accounts, compromise personal information, and take weeks or months to resolve. The Federal Trade Commission receives hundreds of thousands of complaints each year about online shopping fraud, and the actual number of victims is almost certainly higher because many incidents go unreported.

The timing of this report is especially relevant. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the broader holiday season are peak periods for scammers. They know people are looking for deals, under time pressure, and more willing to click on an ad or open an email that seems legitimate. The Pew study confirms that this isn’t a rare problem – it’s one that affects a significant share of American households.

What readers can do

You don’t need to be an expert to protect yourself. Most scams follow recognizable patterns. Here are concrete steps to reduce your risk:

Stick to known retailers. When possible, buy directly from well-established stores or their official apps. If a deal appears on social media or in a search ad, double-check that the website is real. Scammers often create URLs that look like the real thing but differ by one or two characters.

Look for red flags. Suspicious signs include prices that seem too good to be true, poor grammar on the site, missing contact information, and demands that you pay by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency. Legitimate businesses don’t ask for those payment methods.

Use credit cards or payment services. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards. Services like PayPal also provide a layer of buyer protection. Avoid direct bank transfers or prepaid cards, which are nearly impossible to trace once sent.

Enable two-factor authentication. Many retailers and payment services now offer two-factor authentication for accounts. Turn it on. It adds a step to the login process, but it can prevent a scammer from accessing your account even if they get your password.

Avoid public Wi-Fi for purchases. Free networks at coffee shops or airports can be intercepted by attackers. If you must shop on a public network, use a VPN or, better yet, switch to mobile data.

What to do if you are scammed

If you realize you’ve been taken, act quickly.

  1. Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately. They can block the transaction, reverse the charge, and issue a new card if needed.
  2. Change your passwords. If the scam involved a website account, change that password and any others where you use the same credentials.
  3. 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 fraud involved a significant loss.
  4. Monitor your accounts. Keep an eye on your bank and credit card statements for several weeks after the incident. Sometimes scammers will sell your information, and small test charges may appear before larger ones.

Sources

  • Pew Research Center, “About 1 in 3 Americans say they experienced an online shopping scam,” November 19, 2025.
  • Federal Trade Commission, “Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2024” (and annual updates).
  • Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The takeaway is straightforward: online shopping scams are widespread, but awareness and a few simple habits can go a long way. This holiday season, take an extra moment to verify before you buy. Your money and your personal information are worth it.