One in Three Americans Have Fallen for an Online Shopping Scam – Here’s How to Avoid It

If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or paid for a “deal” that turned out to be fake, you’re far from 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 figure is striking—and it underscores just how common these schemes have become.

What Happened

The Pew study, published in late 2025, found that 33% of U.S. adults reported experiencing at least one online shopping scam. The numbers are even higher for certain groups. Younger adults, particularly those aged 18 to 29, were more likely to say they had been scammed. The same survey noted that a majority of TikTok users visit the platform for product reviews and recommendations, which can expose them to influencer-driven scams.

Separate Pew research from 2022 highlighted that payment apps like Venmo and Cash App bring convenience but also security concerns. Many scammers now ask victims to pay through these apps because transactions are harder to reverse. Combined with the rise of social media marketplaces and sponsored influencer posts, the environment for online shopping scams has only grown more complicated.

Why It Matters

Getting scammed isn’t just about losing a few dollars. Victims often face time-consuming disputes with banks, stress, and in some cases, identity theft. And because scammers constantly refine their tactics—fake websites that look authentic, realistic social media ads, phishing links disguised as order confirmations—even careful shoppers can be caught off guard.

The prevalence of these scams also erodes trust in legitimate online shopping. When a third of Americans have had a bad experience, it changes how people approach buying things online. Some may avoid smaller sellers or new platforms altogether, which hurts honest businesses.

What Readers Can Do

While you can’t eliminate all risk, you can significantly reduce it with a few habits:

1. Research the seller before you buy.
If you’re on a site you’ve never used, search for the store name plus words like “scam” or “review.” Check for contact information, return policies, and a physical address. For social media sellers, look at their history and ask for real customer feedback.

2. Use a credit card for online purchases.
Credit cards generally offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards or payment apps. If something goes wrong, you can dispute the charge with your card issuer. Avoid using Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle for transactions with people or businesses you don’t know well—these services are not designed for purchase protection.

3. Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.
Scammers often lure shoppers with prices far below market value. If a brand-new gadget or designer item is listed at 80% off, pause and verify. Compare prices on other sites. A single red flag is enough reason to walk away.

4. Watch for pressure tactics.
“Limited stock,” “only a few left,” or “offer expires in one hour” are common tricks to make you act without thinking. Legitimate sales rarely require that kind of urgency. Step back and take your time.

5. Check the website carefully.
Look for misspellings, odd URLs (like “amaz0n.com” instead of “amazon.com”), lack of SSL padlock in the address bar, and poorly written product descriptions. These are signs of a fake store.

6. If you’re scammed, act quickly.
Contact your bank or credit card issuer to report the fraud and request a chargeback. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Even if you don’t get your money back, reporting helps authorities track patterns.

The key takeaway: online shopping is convenient and generally safe, but the rise in scams means it pays to be cautious. Knowing that about a third of Americans have been affected should be a reminder—not to avoid online shopping, but to approach it with a healthy dose of skepticism.

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.
  • Pew Research Center. “Payment Apps Like Venmo and Cash App Bring Convenience – and Security Concerns – to Some Users.” September 2022.
  • Pew Research Center. “A Majority of U.S. TikTok Users Are There for Product Reviews and Recommendations.” November 2024.
  • Federal Trade Commission. “ReportFraud.ftc.gov.”