Fraud Prevention

1 in 3 Americans Has Experienced an Online Shopping Scam: What to Watch For If you’ve ever clicked “Buy Now” on a deal that seemed too good to be true, only to receive nothing—or something that looked nothing like the photo—you’re not alone. According to a November 2025 survey from the Pew Research Center, roughly one-third of U.S. adults say they have personally experienced an online shopping scam. That number is a reminder that scammers have gotten better at blending in. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before You Lose Money Online shopping has made buying almost anything more convenient, but it has also opened the door for scammers to trick shoppers out of their money. Reports from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and consumer protection agencies show that complaints about fake websites, phishing emails, and payment fraud have increased in recent years, and the tactics keep evolving. ...

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. ...

1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams: How to Protect Yourself A new survey from the Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, found that roughly one in three American adults (32%) say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That figure covers a wide range of incidents—from paying for goods that never arrived to clicking links that led to stolen credit card numbers. With online retail continuing to grow, these scams are not going away. Here’s what you need to know and how to reduce your risk. ...

How to Spot Online Shopping Scams Before You Lose Money Online shopping has never been easier or more convenient, but it has also never been riskier. Scammers are constantly refining their tactics, and no one is immune — not even those who consider themselves tech-savvy. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) have both issued warnings in recent months about the growing sophistication of online shopping fraud. This article distills their guidance into practical steps you can take today. ...

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. ...

Online shopping scams to watch and simple ways to avoid them If you’ve ever clicked “buy” on a deal that looked too good to be true, only to receive nothing — or a knockoff — you’re not alone. A recent Pew Research Center survey found that about one in three U.S. adults have experienced an online shopping scam. That’s roughly 33 percent of online shoppers. ...

1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe Introduction New data from the Pew Research Center shows that online shopping scams are far more common than many people assume. According to a survey released in late 2025, about a third of Americans say they have experienced an online shopping scam. With holiday shopping season in full swing — and more people buying from unfamiliar websites, social media ads, and payment apps — the risk is higher than usual. This article explains what the Pew data tells us, what the most common scams look like, and what you can do to avoid becoming a statistic. ...

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. ...