Nearly 1 in 3 Americans Have Been Scammed While Shopping Online – How to Protect Yourself
A new report from the Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, found that about a third of American adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. The statistic is a reminder that fraudulent purchases, fake websites, and phishing attempts are not rare events — they are part of the normal landscape of e-commerce today. Whether you shop on Amazon, Instagram, eBay, or a small boutique website, the risk exists. Knowing what these scams look like and how to avoid them can save you money and frustration.
What happened
Pew surveyed a representative sample of U.S. adults and asked whether they had ever had an online shopping scam happen to them. Roughly 33% said yes. That figure is consistent with other consumer protection data from the Federal Trade Commission, which has seen a steady rise in reports of online shopping fraud over the past several years.
The types of scams reported include:
- Fake websites that mimic real retailers. A consumer might search for a deal, find the site, and only later realize the product never arrives or the payment went to a fraudster.
- Fraudulent social media ads on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. These ads often feature heavily discounted items that either do not exist or are of significantly lower quality.
- Phishing emails that appear to come from a known retailer but ask the recipient to verify account details or click a link that leads to a spoofed login page.
- Payment app scams in which the seller insists on using Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle for payment, bypassing buyer protections offered by credit cards or PayPal.
Younger adults and frequent social media shoppers reported higher rates of victimization, according to the Pew study. That tracks with earlier research showing that a majority of TikTok users rely on the platform for product recommendations — but those recommendations can be manipulated by scammers.
Why it matters
Online shopping is now a routine part of daily life for most Americans. Nearly everyone buys something online at least occasionally. When roughly one in three people have been hit by a shopping scam, that means the problem is broad enough that it is not confined to the naive or the elderly. Even careful shoppers can fall for a well-constructed fake site or a convincing phishing message.
The immediate cost is the money lost on the fraudulent purchase, but the consequences often extend further. Scammers may harvest credit card numbers, login credentials, or personal information that can be used for identity theft. Recovering from that kind of incident takes time and can affect your credit score.
Moreover, these scams undermine trust in legitimate online businesses. Consumers may become more hesitant to try new retailers or to take advantage of real bargains from honest sellers. That harms both buyers and small businesses trying to compete.
What readers can do
The good news is that many online shopping scams are avoidable with a few straightforward habits. Here are concrete steps you can take:
Before you buy, vet the seller.
If you come across a website you have never heard of, search for the store name plus the word “scam” or “reviews.” Check whether the site has a physical address and a phone number. Look at third-party review sites like Trustpilot or the Better Business Bureau. Be skeptical of sites that have only glowing five-star reviews with no substance — those can be fakes.
Use a credit card or a payment service that offers buyer protection.
Credit cards typically allow you to dispute a charge if the item never arrives or is misrepresented. Debit cards and peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo and Cash App do not offer the same level of protection. If a seller insists on using an app with no recourse for disputes, that is a red flag.
Look for HTTPS and check the domain name.
A secure connection (https://) is not a guarantee of legitimacy, but its absence is a bad sign. Also look closely at the URL: scammers often register domains that are slight misspellings of well-known brands, like “amaz0n.com” or “walmart- deals.shop.”
Beware of prices that are too good to be true.
If a new iPhone is listed at 70% off, there is a reason. Scammers rely on the urgency and excitement of a great deal to short-circuit your judgment. Compare the price to other reputable sellers. If the discount is extreme, treat the offer as a likely scam until you confirm otherwise.
Be careful with social media ads.
Not every ad on Facebook or Instagram is reviewed for authenticity. Treat them as you would a Craigslist listing: verify the seller independently before handing over payment. And avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages or emails that claim to be from a store you have recently purchased from — navigate directly to the store’s website instead.
Enable two-factor authentication on your shopping accounts.
This adds an extra layer of security so that even if a scammer gets your password, they cannot log in without the second factor (usually a code sent to your phone). Also use a unique password for each online store, preferably generated by a password manager.
If you do get scammed
Act quickly. Most credit card issuers require that you report a fraudulent charge within 60 days of the statement date. Contact your bank or credit card company immediately to dispute the transaction. Then file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You should also change the password on any account you used during the purchase. Monitor your bank and credit card statements for a few weeks to catch any additional unauthorized charges.
Sources
- Pew Research Center. “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them.” November 2025.
- Federal Trade Commission. “Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2024.” (For context on trends in fraud reports.)
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. When in doubt, consult a consumer protection attorney or your local Better Business Bureau.