One in Three Americans Has Been Scammed While Shopping Online – Here’s How to Avoid It

If you shop online, you are not alone in worrying about getting tricked. New data from the Pew Research Center shows that about a third of American adults—33 percent—say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That number is high enough to make anyone pause before clicking “buy now.” But the good news is that most of these scams follow recognizable patterns. Understanding them can help you shop with much less risk.

What happened: the Pew finding

In a survey conducted in late 2025, Pew asked U.S. adults whether they had ever been the target of—or fallen victim to—an online shopping scam. The 33 percent figure includes people who lost money as well as those who had personal information stolen. The study is part of a broader look at digital fraud in America, and the shopping scam category is one of the most common types reported.

Pew’s research also found that younger adults and those with higher household incomes were more likely to report having experienced a shopping scam. That may partly reflect how often these groups shop online, but it also suggests that scammers are actively targeting people with money and digital confidence.

Why it matters: the scale and the stakes

One in three is not a niche problem. For context, that means roughly 85 million American adults have encountered a shopping scam. The financial losses can range from a few dollars to thousands, but even small losses add up and erode trust in online commerce. Scammers also collect personal data—email addresses, physical addresses, payment card numbers—that can be used for identity theft later.

The problem is compounded by the fact that many scams look very legitimate. Fraudulent websites mimic major retailers, social media ads promote “too good to be true” deals, and phishing emails impersonate delivery services or payment platforms. Without careful checks, it is easy to be fooled.

What readers can do: practical steps to protect yourself

Here are concrete measures you can take to reduce your risk. None require technical expertise, only a bit of patience and skepticism.

1. Verify the seller before you pay

  • Check the website URL carefully. Scammers often use addresses that are close to a real brand’s but with a small typo (e.g., “amaz0n.com” instead of “amazon.com”).
  • Look for contact information. A legitimate retailer will have a physical address and a working customer service phone number or email.
  • Search the company name plus words like “scam” or “complaint.” If others have been burned, you will likely find their stories.

2. Be skeptical of social media ads and influencer promotions

  • Many scams originate on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. An ad for an expensive item at a fraction of the retail price is a red flag.
  • Even if a post comes from an account you follow, scammers can hijack or impersonate legitimate influencers. Cross-check the offer on the brand’s official website.

3. Use a credit card or a payment service with buyer protection

  • Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards or wire transfers. If you do not receive the item or it is not as described, you can dispute the charge.
  • Avoid paying via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. These methods are almost impossible to reverse and are favored by scammers.

4. Watch for phishing emails that mimic shipping notices or order confirmations

  • If you get an email about a package or order you did not initiate, do not click any links. Go directly to the carrier or retailer’s site and log in to check.
  • Hover over links (without clicking) to see the actual destination URL. If it does not match the company’s domain, it is a phishing attempt.

5. Enable transaction alerts on your bank and credit card accounts

  • Most banks let you set up text or email alerts for any charge above a certain amount. This lets you catch unauthorized transactions quickly.

What to do if you are scammed

  • Immediately contact your bank or credit card issuer to report the transaction and request a chargeback.
  • Change the password on the account you used to make the purchase, and also change the password for your email if you entered it.
  • File a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Even if you do not recover your money, reporting helps authorities track scammers.
  • If you gave out personal information like your Social Security number, consider placing a fraud alert on your credit file through one of the three major credit bureaus.

Staying safe without giving up online shopping

Online shopping is convenient and, for most purchases, perfectly safe. The key is to treat each transaction as a decision that deserves a few seconds of scrutiny. If a deal seems impossibly good, it probably is. If a website looks slightly off, trust your instinct. And if someone pressures you to pay in an unusual way, walk away.

The Pew data is a reminder that scammers are real and they are getting better at what they do. But with a few habits, you can be part of the two-thirds of Americans who have not been caught yet—and keep it that way.

Sources

  • Pew Research Center. “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them.” November 2025.
  • Pew Research Center. “Online Scams and Attacks in America Today.” July 2025.
  • Federal Trade Commission. “ReportFraud.ftc.gov.” Accessed 2026.