About 1 in 3 U.S. adults report experiencing an online shopping scam, but it varies by age and race
% of U.S. adults who say they’ve ever bought an item online that either was counterfeit or never arrived and was not refunded
* Estimates for Asian adults are representative of English speakers only.
Note: White, Black and Asian adults include those who report being only one race and are not Hispanic. Hispanic adults are of any race. Family income tiers are based on adjusted 2023 earnings. “Bought an item online that either was counterfeit or never arrived and wasn’t refunded” was originally asked as two separate items; that figure includes those who say either or both has happened. Includes those who responded “Yes, happened in the past 12 months” or “Yes, happened but more than 12 months ago.” Those who did not give an answer are not shown.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted April 14-20, 2025.
Note: White, Black and Asian adults include those who report being only one race and are not Hispanic. Hispanic adults are of any race. Family income tiers are based on adjusted 2023 earnings. “Bought an item online that either was counterfeit or never arrived and wasn’t refunded” was originally asked as two separate items; that figure includes those who say either or both has happened. Includes those who responded “Yes, happened in the past 12 months” or “Yes, happened but more than 12 months ago.” Those who did not give an answer are not shown.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted April 14-20, 2025.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
About 1 in 3 U.S. adults report experiencing an online shopping scam, but it varies by age and race
% of U.S. adults who say they’ve ever bought an item online that either was counterfeit or never arrived and was not refunded
| % | Category | |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. adults | 36 | Total |
| Men | 35 | Gender |
| Women | 37 | Gender |
| Ages 18-29 | 42 | Age |
| 30-49 | 40 | Age |
| 50-64 | 37 | Age |
| 65+ | 26 | Age |
| White | 33 | Race/ethnicity |
| Black | 41 | Race/ethnicity |
| Hispanic | 43 | Race/ethnicity |
| Asian* | 35 | Race/ethnicity |
| Lower income | 40 | Household income |
| Middle income | 36 | Household income |
| Upper income | 33 | Household income |
| Some college or less | 38 | Education |
| College grad+ | 34 | Education |
* Estimates for Asian adults are representative of English speakers only.
Note: White, Black and Asian adults include those who report being only one race and are not Hispanic. Hispanic adults are of any race. Family income tiers are based on adjusted 2023 earnings. “Bought an item online that either was counterfeit or never arrived and wasn’t refunded” was originally asked as two separate items; that figure includes those who say either or both has happened. Includes those who responded “Yes, happened in the past 12 months” or “Yes, happened but more than 12 months ago.” Those who did not give an answer are not shown.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted April 14-20, 2025.
Note: White, Black and Asian adults include those who report being only one race and are not Hispanic. Hispanic adults are of any race. Family income tiers are based on adjusted 2023 earnings. “Bought an item online that either was counterfeit or never arrived and wasn’t refunded” was originally asked as two separate items; that figure includes those who say either or both has happened. Includes those who responded “Yes, happened in the past 12 months” or “Yes, happened but more than 12 months ago.” Those who did not give an answer are not shown.
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted April 14-20, 2025.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
