One in Three Americans Report Online Shopping Scams: How to Protect Yourself

According to a new Pew Research Center survey released in November 2025, about a third of U.S. adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That’s a striking figure, one that cuts across age, income, and tech comfort levels. If you shop online—and most of us do—it’s worth understanding what these scams look like and how to keep your money and personal information safe.

This article walks through the key findings from the Pew study, explains the most common types of online shopping fraud, and offers concrete, step‑by‑step advice for avoiding scams and reacting if you do get taken.

What Happened: The Pew Research Findings

Pew Research Center published the findings on November 19, 2025, as part of a broader report on Americans’ experiences with online scams. The headline number: roughly one in three adults (32%) said they had been the victim of an online shopping scam. The survey asked about a range of fraudulent situations, including purchases from fake websites, items that never arrived, and deceptive advertisements on social media.

The study also found that younger adults (ages 18–29) were more likely to report being scammed than older groups, though the difference was not huge. And people who frequently use social media or payment apps like Venmo and Cash App reported higher scam rates as well.

While the Pew data does not break down exact dollar losses, it aligns with other reports from the Federal Trade Commission and the Internet Crime Complaint Center, which show that online shopping fraud has grown steadily in recent years. The convenience of digital payments and the sheer volume of e‑commerce transactions create ample opportunity for scammers.

Why It Matters

The one‑in‑three figure is a reminder that online shopping scams are not rare events happening to careless people. They are widespread and can affect anyone. During the holiday season, when people are clicking more deals and entering payment details on unfamiliar sites, the risk climbs higher.

Beyond financial loss, victims can face additional headaches: compromised credit card numbers, identity theft, and the time‑consuming process of disputing charges. People who pay with debit cards or payment apps are often less protected than those who use credit cards. For many families, losing even a modest sum to a scam can be a real setback.

The Pew data also suggests that trust in online shopping may be eroding. If a third of adults have been burned, others may become wary of legitimate transactions, hurting small businesses and honest merchants.

What Readers Can Do: Practical Steps to Protect Yourself

There is no way to guarantee complete safety online, but you can dramatically lower your odds of being scammed. Here is a straightforward checklist.

Before You Buy

Check the seller’s reputation.
On marketplaces like Amazon or eBay, read recent reviews, especially negative ones. For independent websites, search the store name plus “scam” or “review” to see if others have reported problems.
Look at the URL and site design carefully.
Scammers often mimic legitimate brands. Watch for misspelled domain names (e.g., “amaz0n.com”), poor grammar, low‑quality images, and missing contact information. A padlock icon in the address bar means the connection is encrypted, but that alone does not guarantee the site is honest.
Be suspicious of deals that seem too good.
A 90% discount on a popular electronics item is almost always a red flag. Scammers lure victims with unbelievable prices to get them to click and pay.
Prefer credit cards over debit or payment apps.
Under U.S. law, credit cards offer stronger fraud protection. You can often dispute a charge within 60 days. Debit cards and peer‑to‑peer apps like Venmo or Cash App may have limited recourse, especially if you send money for goods and the seller disappears.
Use a virtual credit card number if available.
Some card issuers allow you to generate a one‑time card number for online purchases. That way, even if the merchant is compromised, the scammers cannot reuse your real card details.

If You Think You’ve Been Scammed

Act quickly. The faster you respond, the more likely you are to limit the damage.

Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately. Tell them you believe a transaction was fraudulent and ask them to stop payment or reverse the charge. Do this even if you are unsure.
Change your passwords. If you used the same password on the scam site for other accounts, change those passwords immediately. Use a strong, unique password for each account.
Report the scam. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov, and to the platform where you encountered the ad or listing.
Monitor your accounts. Watch for unusual activity on your bank and credit card statements for several months. Consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze if you suspect your Social Security number or other sensitive data was exposed.

Preventive Habits

Turn on transaction alerts for your bank accounts and credit cards so you get a text or email for every purchase.
Use a password manager to generate and store unique passwords.
Keep your browser, antivirus, and operating system updated. Scammers sometimes exploit known vulnerabilities.
Think twice before clicking links in unsolicited emails or text messages, even if they appear to be from a store you know. Type the store’s URL directly into your browser instead.

Sources

Pew Research Center. “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them.” November 19, 2025.
Federal Trade Commission. Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book, 2024.
Internet Crime Complaint Center (FBI). 2024 Internet Crime Report.

The data is clear: online shopping scams affect a large and growing number of people. But with a little caution and a few simple habits, you can significantly reduce your risk. The best defense is staying informed and taking a few extra seconds before you click “buy.”