Online Shopping Scams Are More Common Than You Think – How to Spot and Avoid Them

Nearly one in three Americans has been hit by an online shopping scam, according to new data from the Pew Research Center. That number might sound high, but if you’ve ever clicked a social media ad for a deal that felt too good to be true, you know how easy it is to get drawn in. The good news? Most of these scams follow recognizable patterns, and once you know what to look for, they become much easier to sidestep.

What Happened

In November 2025, Pew reported that about 33% of U.S. adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. The survey covered a broad range of incidents—from fake websites that never delivered goods to phishing emails pretending to be from major retailers. The research is part of a larger Pew study on online scams and attacks, which also found that a majority of TikTok users rely on the platform for product reviews and recommendations, a trend that scammers have been quick to exploit by posting fake endorsements.

The numbers aren’t just an American problem. Digital fraud has been rising globally, but Pew’s data gives us a concrete look at how widespread it is among ordinary shoppers. It’s worth noting that the survey captures self-reported experiences, so the actual figure could be even higher—some people may not realize they were scammed, or may be too embarrassed to mention it.

Why It Matters

Online shopping scams aren’t just an inconvenience. They can lead to stolen credit card numbers, drained bank accounts, and identity theft. And because so many of us now shop through social media or on our phones, the attack surface has grown. Pew’s separate report on payment apps (such as Venmo and Cash App) highlights that convenience often comes with security trade-offs. Many shoppers assume that if a website looks professional and has a padlock icon, it’s safe. That’s not always true.

The psychological hook is often the same: urgency, a limited-time discount, or a “too-good-to-miss” price. Scammers know that during the holiday season or major sales events (Black Friday, Prime Day), people are more willing to take a chance. The result is that a one-click purchase can turn into a months-long battle with a bank or credit card company.

What Readers Can Do

Protecting yourself doesn’t require being a cybersecurity expert. Below are the most effective steps to avoid getting caught, followed by what to do if you suspect you’ve already been scammed.

Before You Buy

  • Double-check the URL. Scammers often register addresses that look like a real store but contain extra words or misspellings (e.g., amaz0n-deals.com instead of amazon.com). Look for “https” and a proper company domain.
  • Pay with a credit card or a payment app that offers buyer protection. Credit cards generally let you dispute charges if something goes wrong. Debit cards and wire transfers are much harder to recover. Payment apps like PayPal (using Goods & Services, not Friends & Family) also provide some coverage. Venmo and Cash App do not automatically protect purchase transactions unless you enable the “purchase protection” feature.
  • Research the seller before clicking “buy.” Search for the store name plus “scam” or “complaint.” Check user reviews on independent sites (not just the testimonials on the store’s own page). If the seller is on a marketplace like Etsy or eBay, look at their rating and recent feedback.
  • Be suspicious of extreme discounts. If a new electronics item is marked 80% off, there’s almost always a catch. Either it’s a counterfeit product, a phishing page, or the order will never arrive.
  • Don’t click unsolicited links. Many scams start with a text or email that says “Your order has been delayed” or “Special offer just for you.” Instead of clicking the link, go directly to the retailer’s website and check your account or promotions there.

If You’ve Already Been Scammed

  • Stop all communication with the seller or scammer. Do not send more money to “fix” the problem.
  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately. Explain that the transaction was fraudulent and ask them to reverse the charge. For credit cards, you have a limited window to dispute.
  • Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC uses these reports to identify trends and shut down fraudulent operations.
  • Change your passwords if you entered login credentials on a suspicious site. Enable two-factor authentication on your email and financial accounts.
  • Consider filing a police report if the amount lost is significant or if you shared sensitive personal information (like your Social Security number). Not all local departments will take a report for small amounts, but it can help if you need documentation for insurance or identity theft services.

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.” September 2022.

The internet has made shopping incredibly convenient, but that same ease can open the door to fraud. By staying alert, using secure payment methods, and double-checking before you click, you can drastically reduce your chances of becoming part of the one-in-three statistic.