Fraud Prevention

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. ...

Nearly 1 in 3 Americans Hit by Online Shopping Scams – How to Protect Yourself Online shopping has never been more convenient, but it also carries a risk that many people underestimate. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, about one in three Americans say they have experienced an online shopping scam. That’s a striking number, and it underscores the need for consumers to recognize scams before they cost them money—or their personal information. ...

How to spot online shopping scams and shop safely online Online shopping is convenient, but scammers know that too. Fake websites, phony deals, and payment fraud are common, and they can cost you money and personal information. The Department of Veterans Affairs recently published guidance specifically for veterans and their families, but the advice applies to anyone who shops online. Here’s what you need to know to avoid getting tricked. ...

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. ...

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. ...

1 in 3 Americans Has Fallen for an Online Shopping Scam – Here’s How to Avoid It What happened A new report from the Pew Research Center, published in November 2025, found that about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. The survey, part of Pew’s ongoing work on digital fraud, asked adults about various kinds of online scams. Shopping scams—where someone pays for goods that never arrive or are not as advertised—were among the most common. ...