Fraud cost Americans $16 billion in 2025 — the highest on record, according to the most recent figures from the Federal Trade Commission.
That’s a 25% jump over the previous year, the commission said in its June 15 report, saying the new numbers showed a “striking increase in reported fraud losses to all types of fraud.”
Still, imposter scams were reported most often in 2025.
Nearly 1 in 3 reported cases of fraud were about imposter scams, according to the FTC, adding that people reported losing $3.5 billion to such scams last year, a nearly threefold increase since 2020.
“These scams lured consumers through text, phone, email, social media, search engine results and other means. Some of the costliest impersonation scams start with a fake security alert, often from a bank,” the FTC said in its report. “People are convinced to move money to ‘protect’ it, with their losses often limited only by their available funds.”
Fraud has grown exponentially over the past five years, as scammers use phones, email, text, the internet, social media and good old-fashioned door knocking to hook an unsuspecting public, according to AARP.
Common types of scams include identity theft; people posing as a bank, utility or other entity people do business with; imposters pretending to be a federal, state or local agency saying someone is in trouble for, for example, failing to pay a speeding ticket; claiming to be a person’s grandchild needing money because of an accident; an online relationship in which someone asks for financial help; pretending to be tech support; and someone saying they will provide help with immigration issues for an upfront fee.
Such frauds hit older adults hardest, according to the FBI’s 2025 IC3 Annual Report, which said that Americans 60 and older reported losses of $7.7 billion — a roughly 60% jump compared to 2024. The annual report covers internet crime.
Officials said AI could make the situation even worse, as it becomes harder for people to figure out what’s real and what’s fake.
Find tips for avoiding scams — including searching for scams near you, finding classes, and tips such as stepping back and reflecting when a scammer comes at you with an emotional appeal — and what to do if you’re caught in one at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.
While fraud is often under-reported, you can fight back.
If you are the victim, it’s critical to report the crime to local police and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov. And to do so immediately.
Call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360 for free guidance from trained specialists. The Fraud Watch Network also has online group support sessions for victims.
