One in Three Americans Has Fallen for Online Shopping Scams—Here’s How to Avoid Being Next

If you’ve ever clicked a too-good-to-be-true ad on social media, paid a “seller” via Venmo for a hard-to-find item, or entered your card details on a site that looked slightly off, you’re not alone. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s a lot of people—and with holiday shopping in full swing, the risk is higher than ever.

What Happened

Pew’s November 2025 report questions a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults about their experiences with online fraud. The key finding: roughly one in three respondents reported falling victim to an online shopping scam at some point. The survey doesn’t specify exact dollar amounts, but it highlights how widespread the problem has become. Other Pew data points to related trends: separate studies found that payment apps like Venmo and Cash App raise security concerns for many users, and a majority of TikTok users say they see product reviews and recommendations on the platform—a space where influencer scams can flourish.

Why It Matters

Online shopping scams aren’t just about losing money—they erode trust in digital commerce. For everyday shoppers, the consequences range from a few dollars lost on a fake product to serious identity theft. The timing is critical: the holiday season brings a surge in both legitimate deals and fraud attempts. Scammers know people are busy, distracted, and looking for bargains. They also know that many buyers now rely on social media for product discovery and on payment apps for fast transactions—both of which come with fewer protections than credit cards.

The Pew data also shows that younger adults (ages 18-29) are especially likely to shop via social media and use payment apps, making them a prime target. But no age group is immune. The best defense is awareness, not paranoia.

What Readers Can Do

Here are practical steps to reduce your risk, based on what security experts and consumer protection agencies recommend.

1. Verify the seller before you pay.
If you’re buying from a marketplace like Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, or a lesser-known website, do a quick background check. Search the store name plus “scam” or “review.” Look for contact information, return policies, and physical address. No phone number or vague “About Us” page are red flags.

2. Use a credit card, not a debit card or payment app.
Credit cards offer chargeback rights under federal law (the Fair Credit Billing Act). Debit cards have weaker protection, and payment apps like Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle are designed for friends and family—not for buying from strangers. Scammers often demand payment via these apps because transactions are nearly impossible to reverse. If a seller insists on Venmo or wire transfer, walk away.

3. Look for signs of fake websites.
Check the URL carefully: scammers often use misspellings (e.g., “Amaz0n.com”) or slightly different domains (like “.shop” instead of “.com”). Look for the padlock icon and “https://” but understand that fake sites can also have those. A better test: search for the store’s name plus “scam” or “complaint.”

4. Be skeptical of deals that seem too good.
A popular item at 90% off? A luxury handbag for $20? Scammers create urgency—“limited stock,” “flash sale”—to push you into clicking without thinking. Take a moment to compare prices on other sites. If the deal is way below market value, it’s likely a trap.

5. Spot fake reviews and influencer scams.
On TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube, some influencers may promote products they’ve never actually used. Look for reviews with only five-star ratings, generic language, or lots of posts from brand new accounts. Use a site like Fakespot or ReviewMeta to analyze review authenticity.

6. Know what to do if you get scammed.
If you realize you’ve been tricked, act quickly.

  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to dispute the charge.
  • File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  • Change passwords for any accounts you used, and enable two-factor authentication where possible.
  • If you used a payment app, report the transaction within the app—though recovery is unlikely.

The bottom line: online shopping is convenient, but it pays to be a little suspicious. The best protection is slowing down, questioning offers, and using payment methods with strong fraud protections. As Pew’s data shows, even careful shoppers can get caught—but knowing the common tactics can make you a much harder target.

Sources

  • Pew Research Center (Nov 2025): About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them
  • Pew Research Center (Sep 2022): Payment apps like Venmo and Cash App bring convenience – and security concerns – to some users
  • Pew Research Center (Nov 2024): A majority of U.S. TikTok users are there for product reviews and recommendations
  • Pew Research Center (Jul 2025): Online Scams and Attacks in America Today
  • Business Journal Daily (Dec 2025): Coverage of the same Pew findings
  • Federal Trade Commission: ReportFraud.ftc.gov