Payment App Scams

One in Three Americans Has Fallen for Online Shopping Scams—Here’s How to Avoid Being Next If you’ve ever clicked a too-good-to-be-true ad on social media, paid a “seller” via Venmo for a hard-to-find item, or entered your card details on a site that looked slightly off, you’re not alone. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, about a third of Americans say they’ve had an online shopping scam happen to them. That’s a lot of people—and with holiday shopping in full swing, the risk is higher than ever. ...

A third of Americans have faced an online shopping scam — here’s how to avoid being next If you’ve ever bought something online that never arrived, or paid a seller who vanished after taking your money, you’re not alone. A Pew Research Center survey from November 2025 found that about a third of U.S. adults say they have experienced an online shopping scam. The figure is striking, especially as holiday shopping ramps up and more people turn to social media platforms and payment apps to make purchases. This guide explains what the data shows, why it matters for everyday shoppers, and — most importantly — how to reduce your chances of being the next victim. ...