Online Shopping Scams Are on the Rise: How to Spot and Avoid Them

If you shop online, the odds are not in your favor. According to a recent Pew Research Center report, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That statistic covers everything from never receiving an item to having their financial information stolen after entering it on a fraudulent website. With another busy shopping season underway, it’s worth understanding how these scams work—and what you can do to avoid becoming a number.

What Happened: The Data Behind the Warning

Pew’s survey, conducted in July 2025, found that 32% of U.S. adults report having personally experienced an online shopping scam. The research also noted that younger adults and those who shop frequently through social media platforms or payment apps are more likely to be targeted. While the study doesn’t break down every specific method, the common patterns include:

  • Fake online stores that look legitimate but never ship the product.
  • Phishing emails or texts that mimic order confirmations or delivery updates to steal login credentials.
  • Fraudulent payment app requests—for example, a seller who insists on using Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle for payment, then disappears.
  • Counterfeit goods sold on legitimate-looking marketplaces or social media ads.

These scams are not rare anomalies; they’ve become a routine hazard for a large portion of the population.

Why It Matters: The Real Cost of a Quick Click

The financial damage from an online shopping scam can range from a few dollars to hundreds or even thousands. But the consequences don’t stop at lost money. Victims often have to spend hours disputing charges, canceling cards, and monitoring their credit. The emotional toll—frustration, embarrassment, and diminished trust in e-commerce—can linger.

The problem grows worse during peak shopping periods like Black Friday or the December holidays, when scammers flood the internet with time-limited deals that pressure consumers to act fast. The combination of urgency and bargains that look too good to be true is a proven trap.

What Readers Can Do: Practical Steps to Protect Yourself

The good news is that most online shopping scams are preventable with a few habits. Here’s what you can do right now.

1. Recognize the Red Flags

Before you hit “buy,” watch for these warning signs:

  • Unrealistic discounts – If a brand-new, high-demand product is marked down 80% on a site you’ve never heard of, assume it’s a scam.
  • Poor website quality – Typos, blurry images, broken links, and a mismatched URL (e.g., “amaz0n-deals.net”) are strong indicators of fraud.
  • Pressure to act now – Legitimate retailers rarely say “only 3 items left” or “sale ends in 10 minutes” on a checkout page.
  • Odd payment requests – If a seller insists on wire transfer, gift cards, or a payment app that doesn’t offer buyer protection, walk away.

2. Verify the Seller

For unfamiliar online stores, do a quick background check:

  • Search for the business name plus “scam” or “review.”
  • Check the site’s contact information. A real business will have a physical address and a working customer service phone number or email.
  • Look for secure checkout—the URL should begin with “https://” and show a padlock icon in the browser bar.

3. Use Safer Payment Methods

Credit cards offer the strongest fraud protection under federal law. You can dispute a charge and typically get your money back if the item never arrives. Debit cards have weaker protections, and payment apps like Venmo or Cash App are often considered peer-to-peer transfers with no built-in buyer protection unless you specifically use the “goods and services” option (which some scammers avoid). When in doubt, use a credit card.

4. Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Purchases

Public networks in coffee shops, airports, or hotels are not secure. A malicious actor on the same network can intercept your credit card details or login credentials. Save online shopping for your home network or a trusted mobile data connection.

5. Keep Software and Accounts Updated

Enable two-factor authentication on your email, bank, and shopping accounts. Update browsers and apps regularly—these patches often fix security flaws that scammers exploit.

If You Are Scammed

Act quickly. The steps you take in the first 24 hours matter most:

  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer to report the fraudulent charge and request a chargeback.
  • Change the passwords for any accounts that may have been compromised.
  • Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps authorities track patterns and possibly shut down scam operations.
  • Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit report if your financial information was stolen.

Sources

  • Pew Research Center. “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them.” November 19, 2025.
  • Pew Research Center. “Online Scams and Attacks in America Today.” July 31, 2025.
  • Federal Trade Commission. “What to Do If You Were Scammed.” ftc.gov.

Stay cautious. A few seconds of verification can save you weeks of hassle.