One in Three Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam: How to Protect Yourself

If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or clicked a link in an email that turned out to be a fake storefront, you’re not alone. According to a Pew Research Center survey published in November 2025, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s 33 percent of U.S. adults—a figure that should give any regular online shopper pause.

The survey, part of Pew’s ongoing work on digital fraud, asked respondents whether they had personally experienced a range of online scams. The results underscore just how widespread deceptive shopping practices have become, especially as more people rely on e‑commerce for everything from groceries to gifts.

What happened

The Pew report defined “online shopping scams” broadly—including cases where someone paid for an item that was never delivered, was tricked into buying a counterfeit product, or was lured to a fake website that mimicked a legitimate retailer. The 33 percent figure reflects the share of U.S. adults who reported at least one such incident.

The research also highlighted that certain groups are more vulnerable. Younger adults, for example, reported higher rates of shopping scams, likely because they shop online more frequently and may be more active on social media platforms where scam ads are common. But no age group is immune: older shoppers, while less likely to encounter these scams overall, often face larger financial losses when they do.

Why it matters

Online shopping scams aren’t just a nuisance—they can lead to direct financial loss, compromised credit card details, and stolen personal information that fuels identity theft. Even a small purchase that goes wrong can expose your payment data to criminals who will try to use it elsewhere.

The problem also erodes trust in legitimate online marketplaces. When a consumer gets burned by a fake listing on a major platform, they may hesitate to buy from that platform again, even if the platform has fraud protections in place.

Pew’s timing is notable. The survey was released just ahead of the holiday shopping season, a period when scam attempts spike. Scammers know shoppers are looking for deals and may be less cautious.

What readers can do

There’s no foolproof way to avoid every scam, but a few simple habits can dramatically reduce your risk.

Stick to credit cards when possible. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards, and many issuers will reverse charges if an item never arrives. Avoid using payment apps like Venmo or Cash App for purchases from people you don’t know; those services are designed for friends and family, not for commercial transactions, and they offer little recourse if something goes wrong.

Check the website and seller carefully. Look for misspellings in the URL, poor grammar in product descriptions, and an unusual domain extension (e.g., “.shop” or “.xyz” rather than “.com”). If a price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Search for the store’s name along with the word “scam” or “review” to see if others have reported problems.

Don’t click links in unsolicited emails or texts. Phishing emails are a common way scammers direct people to fake shopping sites. Instead of clicking a link in an email, open your browser and type the store’s web address yourself. Similarly, be wary of ads on social media that promise deep discounts—many lead to fraudulent pages.

Use two‑factor authentication on your shopping accounts and payment services. This adds a layer of security even if someone manages to get your password.

If you’ve been scammed, act quickly. Contact your bank or credit card company to dispute the charge and ask about freezing the card. Report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Also report it to the platform where you made the purchase—whether Amazon, eBay, or a social media marketplace—so they can take down the fraudulent listing.

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.
• Business Journal Daily. “About a Third of Americans Report Online Shopping Scams.” December 4, 2025.

Note: The 33 percent figure is based on U.S. adults surveyed and may not reflect the experience of every demographic equally.