Think You’re Safe Shopping Online? New Pew Data Says 1 in 3 Americans Have Been Scammed

Think You’re Safe Shopping Online? New Pew Data Says 1 in 3 Americans Have Been Scammed

If you’ve ever clicked “Buy Now” on a social media ad or sent money via Venmo for a secondhand item, you’re not alone—but you’re also part of a worrying trend. According to a new Pew Research Center report published in November 2025, about one in three U.S. adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That number is a sharp reminder that fraud is no longer a fringe problem; it’s hitting millions of ordinary shoppers. This article walks through what the data tells us, why certain platforms and habits increase your risk, and how you can shop smarter without giving up convenience.

What Happened: The Numbers Behind the Headline

Pew’s survey found that 33% of American adults have fallen victim to some form of online shopping scam. The figure cuts across age groups, though certain practices amplify the risk. For instance, the report notes that younger adults are especially likely to rely on social media for purchase recommendations—a separate Pew study from 2024 found that a majority of U.S. TikTok users use the platform for product reviews and recommendations. That enthusiasm can lead to trouble when influencers promote fake or low-quality goods without disclosure.

Another 2022 Pew study on payment apps like Venmo and Cash App revealed that while these services are convenient, many users harbor security concerns. The new data suggests those concerns are well-founded: scammers increasingly request payment through peer-to-peer apps, which offer far less fraud protection than credit cards. The convergence of social media shopping and instant payment tools has created ideal conditions for scams.

Why It Matters: More Than Just a Misspent Dollar

Getting scammed isn’t just about losing money on a knockoff jacket or a product that never arrives. It can lead to identity theft, stolen credit card details, and long-term financial headaches. The rise of payment app scams is especially concerning because consumers who authorize a payment—even under false pretenses—often have little recourse. Banks and app companies may refuse to refund “authorized” transactions, even when the seller was fraudulent.

Furthermore, the Pew data underscores how deeply embedded these risks have become in everyday shopping. Whether you’re buying from an Instagram boutique or a flash sale link sent by a friend, the odds that someone you know has been burned are high. This normalizes the scam environment, making it harder for people to spot red flags.

What Readers Can Do: Practical Steps to Protect Yourself

You don’t need to abandon online shopping, but you should adjust how you do it. Here are actionable measures based on common scam patterns highlighted in the research.

Verify the seller before you pay. If you find a product through an influencer or social media ad, search for the brand or seller independently. Check for a real website with contact information and read reviews on third-party sites like Trustpilot or the Better Business Bureau. If the only reviews are on the seller’s own site, be suspicious.

Use a credit card or a payment method with fraud protection. Credit cards generally allow you to dispute charges more easily than debit cards or peer-to-peer apps. Never use Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle to pay a seller you don’t know. Those services are designed for friends and family, not for commercial transactions, and they offer limited buyer protection.

Look for URL and website red flags. Scammers often create lookalike domains that differ by one letter (e.g., “amaz0n.com” or “nike-shoes-outlet.co”). Check the browser address bar for misspellings, and ensure the site uses HTTPS (the padlock icon). Still, remember that HTTPS alone does not guarantee legitimacy.

Enable transaction alerts on your bank accounts and payment apps. Most financial institutions allow you to set up push notifications or text alerts for any charge over a certain amount. This way you’ll notice unauthorized activity immediately, increasing your chance of recovery.

Report the scam promptly. If you do get scammed, contact your bank or credit card issuer within 24 hours. File a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Also report the scammer’s account to the platform where you encountered them (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, etc.). While you may not get your money back, reporting helps authorities track patterns and may prevent others from falling for the same scheme.

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, “A majority of U.S. TikTok users are there for product reviews and recommendations,” November 2024.
• Pew Research Center, “Payment apps like Venmo and Cash App bring convenience – and security concerns – to some users,” September 2022.
• Pew Research Center, “For shopping, phones are common and influencers have become a factor – especially for young adults,” November 2022.