FTC Reveals Record $15.9 Billion in Consumer Fraud Losses in 2025

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The Federal Trade Commission reported a record $15.9 billion in consumer fraud losses in 2025, up from $12.5 billion the previous year. The most frequent form of fraud involved someone pretending to be someone else, such as a government agency or a loved one. Scammers reached out through text messages and social media, often instructing victims to send money via wire transfers, gift cards, payment apps, or cryptocurrency.

Why it matters

The growing 'scam economy' is costing consumers billions of dollars each year, with fraudsters becoming more sophisticated in their tactics. This highlights the need for increased consumer education and protection against these evolving fraud schemes.

The details

The FTC received over 3 million fraud reports from consumers in 2025, a substantial increase from 2.6 million in 2024. Investment scams accounted for nearly half of the reported losses at $7.9 billion. Imposter scams, where scammers pretend to be someone else, were the most common type of fraud, resulting in over $3.5 billion in losses. Scammers often instructed victims to send money through wire transfers, gift cards, payment apps, or cryptocurrency.

• In fiscal year 2025, consumers reported aggregate losses of more than $2 billion when stating that the scam started on social media.
• In March 2026, a 55-year-old Troy, Michigan woman was told by scammers to withdraw money from her bank account and deposit it in a bitcoin ATM.

What’s next

The FTC has been working to track down foreign-based fraudsters by collaborating with international counterparts and targeting U.S. companies that facilitate fraudulent schemes.