Consumer Safety

1 in 3 Americans Report Online Shopping Scams: How to Protect Yourself If you’ve been the victim of an online shopping scam, you’re far from alone. According to the Pew Research Center, about one in three U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That statistic comes from a larger report on online scams and attacks, updated with shopping-specific data in November 2025. The numbers are a reminder that online fraud is not a rare edge case—it touches millions of ordinary people. ...

One in Three Americans Has Been Scammed While Shopping Online — Here’s How to Avoid It If you’ve ever clicked a too-good-to-be-true ad on social media, bought something from a seller with no reviews, or received a shipping notification for an order you never placed, you’re not alone. According to a 2025 Pew Research Center report, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s roughly one in three adults — a number that has grown as more of our shopping moves to phones, apps, and auction sites. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Protect Yourself Online shopping has become a routine part of life, but it also attracts scammers looking to steal your money or personal information. Government agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation have issued warnings about evolving tactics. For example, a January 2026 VA News alert reminded veterans to watch out for scams while shopping online, and an FDIC consumer article from August 2024 described fake banks that appear legitimate but are merely fronts for fraud. ...

Watch Out for Online Shopping Scams: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe Online shopping is convenient, but it also attracts scammers who set up fake websites, send phishing emails, and trick buyers into handing over payment details or personal information. Recent alerts from government agencies—including the VA, FDIC, and FTC—confirm that these threats remain common. While no guide can guarantee complete safety, understanding how these scams work and following a few practical steps can reduce your risk significantly. ...

1 in 3 Americans Have Been Scammed Shopping Online – Here’s How to Protect Yourself What the Pew data shows According to a 2025 survey from the Pew Research Center, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That figure means roughly 33 percent of U.S. adults have lost money, had their personal information stolen, or both while trying to buy something over the internet. The number has climbed in recent years, and the problem doesn’t show signs of slowing. ...

Don’t Get Tricked While Shopping Online: Spot Scams and Stay Safe Online shopping is convenient, but scammers are getting smarter. Every year, consumers lose millions to fake deals, phishing emails, and bogus websites that look just like the real thing. The threat is serious enough that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has published several alerts to help shoppers—especially veterans and older adults—stay safe. Whether you’re buying gifts, household goods, or services, a few simple precautions can save you money and stress. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: Practical Safety Tips Online shopping is convenient, but it also opens the door to scammers. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regularly publishes warnings about fraud targeting veterans—and much of that advice applies to everyone. Whether you’re buying a gift or everyday essentials, a few simple checks can keep your money and personal information safe. ...

Nearly One in Three Americans Has Been Scammed While Shopping Online – Here’s What You Need to Know If you’ve ever clicked “Buy Now” on a site that looked legitimate, only to receive nothing but a confirmation email and silence, you’re far from alone. According to new data from the Pew Research Center, roughly one in three Americans say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That’s a staggering number, and it’s worth paying attention to – not because you should stop shopping online, but because a few simple habits can dramatically cut your risk. ...

One in Three Americans Have Been Scammed While Shopping Online. Here’s What You Can Do. If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or clicked a link that turned out to be fake, you are far from alone. A new survey from Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, found that about a third of U.S. adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That’s roughly 33 percent of all American adults – a figure that should catch any regular shopper’s attention. ...

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. ...