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

If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or landed on a website that looked legitimate but turned out to be fake, you’re not alone. New data from the Pew Research Center shows that about a third of Americans say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That statistic is a useful reminder that these scams are not rare exceptions—they are a regular risk for anyone who shops online.

The good news is that most of these scams follow recognizable patterns. Once you know what to look for, you can avoid the vast majority of them.

What happened

In November 2025, Pew Research Center published a survey finding that approximately 33% of U.S. adults reported that an online shopping scam had happened to them. The same survey also noted that users of payment apps like Venmo and Cash App expressed heightened security concerns, though the data did not directly tie app usage to scam victimization.

Separately, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reported that online shopping scams were the most common fraud category in recent years, accounting for a large share of consumer complaints. The combination of these sources paints a clear picture: this is a widespread and growing problem.

Why it matters

Online shopping scams do more than cost people money. They often lead to stolen personal information, compromised credit card numbers, and long hours spent disputing charges. For many consumers, the experience also erodes trust in e-commerce platforms and smaller sellers.

The financial impact can be substantial. While some scams involve small amounts, others trick victims into paying hundreds of dollars for items that never ship. In more elaborate schemes, fraudsters use stolen data to open accounts or make additional purchases. The Pew data underscores that this is not a niche problem—it touches a large share of the population.

The most common types of online shopping scams

Most scams fall into a few well-documented categories:

  • Phantom delivery scams: You order an item, receive a tracking number, but the package never arrives. The “seller” may disappear after payment.
  • Lookalike websites: Fraudsters register domain names that mimic trusted retailers (e.g., using “amaz0n.com” or “walmart-deals.net”). Unsuspecting shoppers enter their payment details, which are then stolen.
  • Social media marketplace fraud: Scammers list items on Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, or TikTok at attractive prices, insist on payment via gift cards or peer-to-peer apps, then vanish.
  • Too-good-to-be-true deals: Unrealistically low prices on high-demand items (game consoles, designer bags, electronics) are a classic red flag.

Red flags to watch for

Before you enter payment information, pause and check for these warning signs:

  • Unbelievably low prices – If a deal feels extraordinary, it’s probably fraudulent. Compare the price to other retailers.
  • Poor website quality – Look for typos, broken images, missing contact information, or an odd URL that doesn’t match the brand.
  • Unusual payment requests – Scammers often ask for wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. Legitimate businesses accept credit cards and established payment services.
  • Pressure to act quickly – Phrases like “limited stock” or “offer ends in one hour” are common tactics to make you skip verification.
  • No clear return policy or customer service – Reliable sellers have a published return policy and respond to inquiries.

How to shop safely

You do not need to stop shopping online, but a few habits can greatly reduce risk:

  • Use a credit card – Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards, peer-to-peer apps, or bank transfers. Most issuers will reverse unauthorized charges.
  • Check the seller’s reputation – If buying from a third-party marketplace, read recent reviews and look for a track record of legitimate sales.
  • Type the store’s URL directly – Do not click on ads or links in emails. Scammers pay for ads that lead to fake sites.
  • Stick to known platforms – Established retailers and marketplaces (Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Target, etc.) have built-in buyer protection. Smaller unknown sites are riskier.
  • Enable purchase alerts – Many banks and credit card issuers allow you to set up text or email alerts for transactions over a certain amount. This helps you catch unauthorized activity quickly.

What to do if you are scammed

If you realize you have been scammed, act quickly:

  1. Document everything – Save screenshots of the website, emails, payment confirmations, and any messages with the seller.
  2. Contact your bank or card issuer – Report the transaction as fraudulent. They can freeze the card and may reverse the charge.
  3. Report to the FTC – File a complaint at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The agency uses this data to track scams and may be able to help.
  4. Report to the FBI’s IC3 – For larger losses or cases involving identity theft, file a report at ic3.gov.
  5. Change passwords – If you created an account on the fraudulent site, change the password (and any other accounts using the same credential).
  6. Monitor your credit – Consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze if personal information (such as your Social Security number) may have been exposed.

The bottom line is that online shopping scams are common enough that every consumer should know the basic red flags and safety steps. Vigilance does not mean paranoia—it means taking a few extra seconds before hitting “buy.” Given that roughly one in three Americans has already been caught, those seconds are well worth the trouble.

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, “Payment apps like Venmo and Cash App bring convenience – and security concerns – to some users,” September 2022.
  • Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book (multiple years).