$5.7 Billion Shopping Scam No One Saw Coming

Scam text overlaid on distorted 100 dollar bill

Cybercriminals are exploiting America’s trust in e-commerce by weaponizing fake “out of stock” notifications to steal personal data and drain bank accounts, targeting millions of unsuspecting shoppers during peak shopping seasons.

Story Highlights

Scammers send fake out-of-stock notifications using stolen order data to appear legitimate
Americans lost $5.7 billion to similar fraud schemes in 2024, with cases surging 24%
Black Friday 2025 saw a 250% increase in fake shopping websites targeting consumers
Social media platforms host over 70% of these scams, undermining online commerce trust

Sophisticated Scam Tactics Exploit Consumer Trust

Cybercriminals have refined their approach by using leaked purchase data from major breaches to personalize fake notifications with real order numbers and authentic retailer branding. These scammers exploit the post-COVID surge in online shopping, where supply chain disruptions normalized legitimate out-of-stock notices, making fraudulent ones harder to detect. The Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker reports a post-holiday spike in complaints about fraudulent refunds tied to fake inventory shortages, particularly targeting high-demand electronics and gaming consoles.

Financial Devastation Hits American Families

Individual victims face immediate losses ranging from $500 for gaming console scams to over $1,700 in ticket fraud cases, according to recent reports from Texas and banking institutions. Beyond direct financial theft, victims suffer credit damage, malware infections, and lengthy recovery processes that strain family budgets. The Federal Trade Commission documented investment-related frauds costing Americans $5.7 billion in 2024, with purchase scams representing a growing segment of this staggering figure that threatens household financial security.

Big Tech Platforms Enable Criminal Activity

Social media giants, particularly Meta’s Facebook and Instagram platforms, host approximately 70% of these fraudulent schemes, creating a digital Wild West that endangers conservative families. Lloyds Bank’s Liz Ziegler describes social media as “infested” with fraud, criticizing platforms for failing to remove scam advertisements that specifically target Americans during high-demand events. The 250% surge in fake shopping sites during Black Friday 2025 demonstrates how these platforms prioritize profits over protecting users from predatory criminal enterprises.

Government Agencies Sound Critical Warnings

Consumer protection agencies are scrambling to educate the public about red flags including unrealistically low prices, urgent language in communications, and suspicious payment methods like wire transfers or gift cards. The Utah Department of Commerce promotes the “WISER” framework to help consumers develop healthy skepticism toward unsolicited offers and refund requests. However, these agencies face resource constraints as scammers increasingly use AI-generated messages and deepfake technology to create more convincing fraudulent communications that bypass traditional detection methods.