Fraud Prevention

1 in 3 Americans Have Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam — Here’s How to Protect Yourself If you shop online—and most of us do—the odds that you’ve been targeted by a scam are higher than you might think. According to a 2025 Pew Research Center report, about a third of Americans say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That’s not just a few people falling for obvious traps. It suggests that deceptive sellers, fake websites, and phishing schemes are now a routine part of the e-commerce landscape. ...

Online shopping scams to watch and simple ways to avoid them If you shop online—and most of us do—there’s a decent chance you’ve already encountered a scam, even if you didn’t realize it. According to a Pew Research Center survey published in November 2025, about one in three Americans say they’ve personally experienced an online shopping scam. That number is large enough to treat it as a normal risk of buying things online, but it’s also avoidable with a few straightforward habits. ...

1 in 3 Americans Has Been Scammed Shopping Online – Here’s How to Avoid It A recent study from Pew Research Center found that about a third of Americans say they’ve experienced an online shopping scam. That number is high enough to make anyone think twice before hitting “buy now.” The good news is that most of these scams follow predictable patterns, and once you know what to look for, you can avoid them without much effort. ...

Online Shopping Scams Hit One in Three Americans: What You Need to Know A new study from the Pew Research Center reports that roughly one in three U.S. adults say they have fallen victim to an online shopping scam. The research, published in November 2025, draws on a nationally representative survey and offers a clear picture of how widespread the problem has become. Whether you shop frequently or only occasionally, understanding the scope of these scams—and knowing how to avoid them—can save you money and frustration. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams This Year (and Every Year) Online shopping has become a daily habit for millions of people, but the convenience comes with a growing risk. According to the FBI’s most recent Internet Crime Report, reported losses from online shopping fraud reached billions of dollars in 2024 alone, and the numbers keep climbing. The Federal Trade Commission has also noted a sharp rise in complaints involving fake websites, phishing emails, and counterfeit goods. These scams don’t just appear during the holiday season—they happen year-round, targeting shoppers of all ages and backgrounds. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams and Protect Your Wallet Online shopping has become a routine part of most people’s lives, but it also attracts fraudsters looking to take advantage of unsuspecting buyers. Scams that start with a fake website, a tempting email offer, or a social media ad can lead to lost money, stolen personal information, or both. This article covers the most common scams and what you can do to avoid them, drawing on guidance from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the FBI, and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). ...

Spot Online Shopping Scams Before They Cost You Shopping online is convenient, but it also invites fraud. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that consumers lost over $8.8 billion to fraud in 2022, with online shopping scams among the top categories. The FBI’s 2023 Internet Crime Report confirmed a continuing rise in e-commerce complaints. The Department of Veterans Affairs recently issued a warning urging shoppers to watch out for scams and stay safe while online shopping. Whether you’re a seasoned buyer or new to digital purchases, understanding how these scams work is the first step to protecting yourself. ...

How to Spot and Avoid Online Shopping Scams: 1 in 3 Americans Have Been Hit If you shop online—and most of us do—there’s a good chance you’ve encountered a scam attempt. A recent survey from the Pew Research Center found that about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s not a fringe problem; it’s a mainstream risk that touches millions of households. ...

Nearly One in Three Americans Has Experienced an Online Shopping Scam: What to Know If you’ve ever clicked a too-good-to-be-true deal on social media or gotten a suspicious email about a package delivery, you’re not alone. A new study from the Pew Research Center found that roughly a third of U.S. adults say they’ve personally experienced an online shopping scam. That’s a lot of people—and the number is likely still growing as more of us shop from our phones and laptops. While the convenience of buying online isn’t going away, it pays to know how these scams work and how to steer clear. ...

1 in 3 Americans Has Been Hit by an Online Shopping Scam — How to Avoid Being Next A recent report from Pew Research Center found that about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. The data, released in November 2025, covers a range of fraudulent experiences — from fake store websites to phishing emails that impersonate well-known retailers. With holiday shopping in full swing and online transactions becoming routine, understanding how these scams work is more than a privacy concern; it’s a practical necessity. ...