Nearly 1 in 3 Americans Have Been Scammed While Shopping Online: How to Protect Yourself

If you’ve ever clicked “Buy Now” on a deal that felt a little too good to be true, you’re not alone. According to a November 2025 study from the Pew Research Center, about a third of Americans say they’ve experienced an online shopping scam. With holiday shopping in full swing, that number is a reminder to slow down and check before you check out.

The good news is that most shopping scams follow predictable patterns. Once you know what to look for, you can avoid them—and if you do get caught, there are clear steps to limit the damage.

What Are the Most Common Online Shopping Scams?

Scammers adapt quickly, but most fall into a few categories:

  • Fake websites. These look like real stores but are set up only to collect your payment and personal information. They often use slightly misspelled domain names (like “amaz0n-deals[.]com” instead of amazon.com).
  • Social media ads. A sponsored post for a deeply discounted jacket or gadget may lead to a page that either never ships the item or sends a cheap counterfeit.
  • Phishing emails. You receive a message that appears to be from a retailer you use, claiming there’s a problem with your order or a limited-time offer. The link goes to a fake login page designed to steal your credentials.
  • Non-delivery scams. You pay for an item—often through a peer-to-peer payment app like Venmo or Cash App—and it never arrives. The seller disappears.
  • Counterfeit goods. You receive something, but it’s not the brand-name product you paid for. This is especially common with luxury goods, electronics, and sneakers.

Red Flags to Watch For

Some signs are obvious in hindsight, but they’re easy to miss when you’re excited about a bargain. Before you hit “pay,” check for these warning signs:

  • Prices that are far below market value. If a new iPhone is listed for $200, it’s almost certainly a scam.
  • Odd or altered URLs. Hover over links in emails or ads. If the domain looks suspicious (e.g., “nike-outlet-store[.]xyz”), don’t click.
  • Poor grammar and spelling. Professional retailers rarely have typos in product descriptions or checkout pages.
  • Pressure to act fast. “Limited stock! Buy now or miss out!” is a common tactic to bypass your better judgment.
  • Requests for unusual payment methods. Legitimate sellers don’t ask for gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Credit cards and PayPal (with buyer protection) are the safest options.

How to Protect Yourself

You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to shop safely. A few simple habits go a long way:

  • Use a credit card, not a debit card. Under U.S. law, credit cards offer stronger fraud protection. If a scammer gets your credit card number, you can dispute the charge. With a debit card, the money is gone from your account before you notice.
  • Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your payment accounts. This adds an extra step to log in, making it harder for someone to use stolen credentials.
  • Verify the seller. Check independent reviews outside the seller’s own website. Look for a physical address and customer service phone number. If the only reviews are five-star and sound generic, be skeptical.
  • Look for “HTTPS” in the URL. The “S” means the connection is encrypted. It’s not a guarantee of safety, but a site without it is a strong red flag.
  • Install a scam-blocker browser extension. Tools like Malwarebytes Browser Guard or Avast Online Security can flag known scam sites before you enter your payment info.

What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed

Even careful shoppers can get tricked. If you realize you’ve fallen for a scam, act quickly:

  1. Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately. Report the transaction and ask for a chargeback. Most card issuers have a 60-day window for disputes.
  2. Change your passwords. If you used the same password on the scam site that you use elsewhere, update those accounts first. Use a password manager to generate strong, unique passwords.
  3. Place a fraud alert or credit freeze. You can do this for free through the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion). A freeze prevents scammers from opening new accounts in your name.
  4. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps authorities track scam patterns and may assist in shutting down fraudulent operations.
  5. Monitor your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized charges in the weeks following the scam.

Stay Vigilant

Online shopping is convenient, but it pays to be cautious. The Pew data shows that scammers are successful often enough that one in three Americans has been hit. By recognizing the common tactics and taking a few protective steps, you can keep your money—and your personal information—safe.

If this guide helped you, consider sharing it with a friend or family member. Sometimes a quick warning is all it takes to save someone from a costly mistake.

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, “How to avoid online shopping scams.”
  • Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, “What to do if you’re a victim of fraud or a scam.”