Consumer Safety

1 in 3 Americans Have Been Scammed While Shopping Online: Here’s How to Protect Yourself If you shop online—and almost everyone does these days—there’s a decent chance you or someone you know has been taken by a scam. According to a new Pew Research Center study published in November 2025, about a third of U.S. adults say they’ve experienced an online shopping scam. That’s a striking number, but it also reflects a reality: fraudsters are getting better at blending in with legitimate sellers. ...

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. ...

How to Stay Safe from Online Shopping Scams: Tips from the VA Online shopping is convenient, but it also opens the door to scammers who try to take advantage of shoppers. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recently issued a warning about the growing threat of online shopping scams, and their advice is worth heeding whether you’re a veteran, a family member, or anyone who buys goods online. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams Online shopping has become a normal part of daily life for millions of people. But the convenience comes with real risks. According to data from the Federal Trade Commission, reports of online shopping fraud have risen sharply in recent years, and government agencies continue to issue alerts about scams targeting consumers. A recent article from VA News (.gov) reminds shoppers to be vigilant, especially when deals seem too good to be true. This guide walks through what you need to know to protect yourself. ...

Title: How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Stay Safe While Buying Online What’s behind the rise in online shopping scams Online shopping scams have become more common and more convincing. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Veterans Affairs recently issued warnings about new tactics—such as fake websites mimicking official portals like ID.me or the Claim Assist Portal, and phishing messages that use QR codes to steal payment information. Scammers are targeting veterans, older adults, and anyone who regularly buys goods or services online. ...

1 in 3 Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam: How to Protect Yourself If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or paid for a “deal” on social media only to get nothing in return, you’re far from alone. According to a November 2025 survey from the Pew Research Center, roughly one in three U.S. adults (32%) say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That figure is a reminder that fraud isn’t a fringe problem—it’s something a large share of shoppers have dealt with firsthand. ...

Scam Ads Are Everywhere: How to Spot Them and Protect Your Wallet If you’ve scrolled through social media or used a search engine recently, you’ve probably seen them: ads that look almost exactly like a trusted brand’s official offer, promising an unbeatable deal. Maybe it’s a “limited-time” 90% off on a popular electronics brand, or a “free trial” for a subscription service that normally costs hundreds. These are scam ads, and they’re not just annoying — they’re costing consumers real money and eroding trust in legitimate businesses. ...

1 in 3 Americans Hit by an Online Shopping Scam: How to Avoid Being Next If you buy things online, you’re not alone in worrying about scams. New data from the Pew Research Center shows that roughly one in three U.S. adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That’s around 33% of Americans — a figure that should make anyone pause before clicking “Buy.” ...

1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams: How to Shop Safely Introduction A recent study from the Pew Research Center found that roughly one in three Americans say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That number might surprise you, but if you’ve ever clicked a suspicious deal on social media or received a phishing email about a package you didn’t order, you’re far from alone. The problem is widespread, and it tends to spike around major shopping seasons. The good news is that most scams follow recognizable patterns, and you can avoid them with a few straightforward habits. ...

1 in 3 Americans Have Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam: Here’s How to Stay Safe If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, received a counterfeit product, or clicked a link in an email that turned out to be a phishing attempt, you’re far from alone. According to a November 2025 report from the Pew Research Center, about a third of U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. With the holiday shopping season already underway and online transactions at record levels, the risk of falling victim is higher than ever. This article breaks down what the data tells us about the most common scams, how to spot them before you lose money, and what to do if you think you’ve been taken. ...