Over 30% of Americans Have Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam – Here’s How to Avoid It

Intro

If you shop online, you’re not alone in worrying about scams. A recent survey from the Pew Research Center found that roughly one in three U.S. adults has personally experienced an online shopping scam. That’s 32% of respondents, a figure that underscores just how common fraudulent schemes have become in the e-commerce landscape.

The findings are timely. With holiday shopping, flash sales, and social commerce growing each year, the opportunities for scammers to reach shoppers are expanding. This article breaks down what the data says and offers practical steps to keep your money – and your identity – safe.

What happened

Pew’s November 2025 survey asked a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults about their encounters with online scams. The results:

  • 32% of respondents said they had personally experienced an online shopping scam.
  • Younger adults (ages 18–49) were slightly more likely to report being scammed than older adults.
  • Those with higher household incomes also reported higher rates, possibly reflecting more frequent online purchasing.

The most common types of scams involved fake websites, fraudulent social media ads, and payment app requests. Scammers often impersonate legitimate retailers or use ads that look like deals from known brands. The full survey, “About a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them,” is available on Pew’s website.

Why it matters

These scams aren’t just annoying – they can cost you real money. Victims may lose the purchase amount, and in some cases, have their credit card or bank account details stolen. Scammers can use that information for identity theft, taking out loans or making unauthorized purchases in your name.

Beyond individual financial damage, widespread scams erode trust in online shopping itself. That hurts legitimate businesses and makes it harder for consumers to feel confident about clicking “buy.” Understanding the scale of the problem is the first step to taking it seriously.

What readers can do

You don’t need to stop shopping online. You just need to adopt a few habits that dramatically reduce your risk.

Recognize common red flags

  • Unrealistically low prices. If a designer handbag is listed for 90% off retail, it’s almost certainly a counterfeit or a scam.
  • Payment requests outside secure platforms. Be wary of sellers who ask for wire transfers, gift cards, or payment via Venmo, Zelle, or Cash App before you receive the item. Credit cards offer more protection.
  • Suspicious URLs and site design. Misspelled domain names (e.g., “amaz0n.com”) or pages with broken grammar and blurry images are warning signs.
  • Too-good-to-be-true social media ads. Many scams start with an ad on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok that leads to a fake store.

Practical prevention tips

  1. Use a credit card for online purchases. Credit cards typically let you dispute charges for goods not received. Debit cards and payment apps offer far less protection.
  2. Verify the seller. Search for the store name plus “scam” or “review” to see if others have reported problems. Check the Better Business Bureau site as well.
  3. Look for HTTPS and a padlock icon. That doesn’t guarantee a site is legitimate, but it’s a baseline security measure. Avoid sites that don’t include it.
  4. Enable purchase alerts from your bank. Many banks can send you a text or email any time a transaction over a certain amount is made.
  5. Stick to reputable marketplaces (Amazon, eBay, Walmart, etc.) when possible, and be extra cautious with unknown independent stores.

Steps to take if you’re scammed

  • Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately. Report the transaction as fraudulent. They may be able to reverse the charge.
  • Change your passwords for the affected accounts, and enable two-factor authentication.
  • Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps authorities track patterns and take down scammers.
  • Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit report if your personal information was shared.

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.
  • Federal Trade Commission. “ReportFraud.ftc.gov.”

Note: Survey data cited reflects self-reported experiences. Actual scam rates may be higher, as not all victims report the incident.