Online shopping scams to watch and simple ways to avoid them

Nearly one in three U.S. adults have experienced an online shopping scam, according to a 2025 Pew Research Center survey. That figure—about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them—underscores just how common these schemes have become. Whether it’s a too-good-to-be-true deal on social media, a phishing email pretending to be a retailer, or a fake website that looks exactly like a trusted brand, the risk is real.

This article walks through what the data tells us, why it matters, and practical steps you can take to shop more safely.

What the data shows

Pew’s survey found that 33% of U.S. adults have personally encountered an online shopping scam. Younger adults (ages 18–29) and people who shop online frequently were more likely to report being targeted. The scams take many forms, but common ones include:

  • Fake websites that impersonate well-known retailers.
  • Social media ads offering products that either never arrive or are counterfeit.
  • Phishing emails about order problems, designed to steal login or payment details.
  • Payment app fraud where sellers ask for money via Venmo or Cash App and then disappear.

Separately, the Federal Trade Commission reported that Americans lost over $8.8 billion to impersonation scams in 2024 alone. While not all of that is shopping-related, it shows the scale of the problem.

Why it matters

Online shopping scams do more than take your money. They can expose your personal information, lead to identity theft, and erode trust in digital commerce. Because many scams are designed to look legitimate—complete with professional-looking websites and fake reviews—even cautious shoppers can get caught.

The financial hit can range from a few dollars to thousands. And since scammers often use hard-to-trace payment methods, recovering money is difficult once it’s sent.

How to spot red flags

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

  • Prices that seem unrealistically low. If a new gadget is listed at 80% off, it’s almost certainly a scam.
  • Poor website quality. Blurry images, broken grammar, or a mismatched domain name (like amaz0n-deals.com) are red flags.
  • No clear contact information. Legitimate sellers provide a physical address, customer service phone number, or email.
  • Requests for unusual payment methods. Scammers often ask for wire transfers, gift cards, or payments through peer-to-peer apps where fraud protection is weak.
  • Fake urgency. Messages like “only 2 left!” or “offer expires today” are common pressure tactics.

How to protect yourself

You don’t need to stop shopping online, but a few habits can cut your risk considerably.

Verify the seller. Check independent review sites (not just the seller’s own page). Look up the domain registration age using a WHOIS tool—newer domains are riskier. Confirm the return policy is clear and reasonable.

Use a credit card for purchases. Credit cards generally offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards, which draw directly from your bank account. Avoid storing payment info on retailer sites.

Stick to reputable marketplaces. When buying from an unknown seller, use platforms like Amazon, eBay, or Etsy that have buyer protection policies. Keep transactions within the platform rather than moving to direct payment.

Avoid shopping on public Wi-Fi. Unsecured networks can let intercept your information. Use your mobile data or a VPN if you must shop on the go.

Keep software updated. Browsers, operating systems, and security software should all have the latest patches to defend against malware and phishing.

If you’ve been scammed

Act quickly to limit damage:

  1. Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately to dispute the charge and block further payments.
  2. Freeze your credit if you shared sensitive information like your Social Security number. You can do this for free at each of the three major bureaus.
  3. Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your state’s consumer protection office.
  4. Change passwords on any accounts that may have been compromised, especially email and payment accounts.
  5. Monitor your accounts for suspicious activity over the following weeks.

No one is immune, but staying alert and following these steps can help you avoid becoming part of the next statistic.

Sources

  • Pew Research Center. “About a Third of Americans Say They’ve Had an Online Shopping Scam Happen to Them.” 2025.
  • Federal Trade Commission. “FTC Releases 2024 Consumer Sentinel Network Report.” 2025.