Online Shopping Scams Are Rampant: How to Spot and Avoid Them

If you’ve bought something online that never arrived, or paid through a peer-to-peer app for a product that turned out to be fake, you’re far from alone. A November 2025 survey by the Pew Research Center found that about a third of Americans — 33% — say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That’s a large enough share to make fraud prevention a basic skill for anyone who shops on the internet.

What happened: the data behind the problem

The Pew survey is part of a broader look at how Americans encounter scams and attacks online. The 33% figure includes people who reported losing money or having personal information stolen as a result of a purchase that was never delivered, a fake product, or a fraudulent listing. Younger adults and people who do most of their shopping on mobile phones reported higher rates of victimization.

Other Pew research from recent years adds useful context. A 2022 study found that payment apps like Venmo and Cash App bring convenience but also security concerns. A 2024 survey showed that a majority of U.S. TikTok users use the platform for product reviews and recommendations — a space where scams disguised as influencer content are common. Together, these trends point to a shopping environment where fraud is not an edge case but a routine risk.

Why it matters

Beyond the obvious financial loss, online shopping scams can lead to identity theft, compromised accounts, and hours of frustration trying to get money back. Many victims never recover their funds, especially when they used payment methods that lack purchase protection. The scale of the problem — one in three shoppers — means that even careful buyers are likely to encounter a scam attempt eventually. Understanding how to avoid one is no longer optional for people who shop online.

What readers can do: practical steps to protect yourself

The following recommendations are based on common scam patterns identified by consumer protection agencies and the Pew data.

  • Use a credit card, not a debit card or payment app, for online purchases. Credit cards typically offer stronger fraud protection. With debit cards or apps like Venmo, Cash App, and Zelle, it can be much harder to get your money back if a seller turns out to be fraudulent.

  • Verify the seller before you buy. For unfamiliar websites, search for reviews from multiple sources. Check for contact information, a physical address, and a return policy. Beware of stores that only accept payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.

  • Look for warning signs in the listing. Unbelievably low prices, poor grammar or misspellings, and high-pressure “limited time” offers are classic red flags. On social media, pay attention to accounts with few followers, no history, or generic profile pictures.

  • Check the URL before entering payment information. Fraudulent sites often use lookalike addresses — for example, “amaz0n.com” instead of “amazon.com.” Only shop on pages with a padlock icon and “https” in the address bar.

  • Avoid making purchases over public Wi-Fi. Unsecured networks make it easier for attackers to intercept your data. If you must shop on a mobile device, use your cellular data or a VPN.

  • Set up purchase alerts and check your statements regularly. Many banks and credit cards let you receive notifications for transactions over a certain amount. That way you’ll know immediately if an unauthorized charge appears.

  • If you are scammed, act quickly. Contact your bank or card issuer to freeze the card and dispute the charge. Change the password on any account where you entered the same credentials. Report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and, if you used a payment app, to the app’s support team.

  • Be extra cautious on TikTok and other social platforms. Scammers often pose as satisfied customers or create fake storefronts with fabricated reviews. Check whether the account has a track record, and consider buying directly from established retailers instead of following a link in a video or comment.

Sources

The statistics and context in this article come from several Pew Research Center reports:

  • “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them” (November 2025)
  • “Payment apps like Venmo and Cash App bring convenience – and security concerns – to some users” (September 2022)
  • “A majority of U.S. TikTok users are there for product reviews and recommendations” (November 2024)

Additional fraud prevention guidance is available from the Federal Trade Commission and your state consumer protection office.