FTC: Americans Lost $2.1B to Social Media Scams in 2025
Original: Consumers lost $2.1B to social media scams in 2025, FTC reports
Why This Matters
Shows the growing threat of social media fraud as platforms become primary vectors for scams
The Federal Trade Commission reported Americans lost $2.1 billion to social media scams in 2025, an eightfold increase. Nearly 30% of scam victims said schemes began on social platforms, with Facebook leading losses.
The FTC's 2025 report shows social media scams resulted in higher losses than any other contact method used by scammers. Facebook accounted for more losses than any platform, followed by WhatsApp and Instagram. Shopping scams were most common, with over 40% of victims ordering items from ads leading to unfamiliar or fake brand websites. Investment scams caused $1.1 billion in losses through ads promising investment education and fake WhatsApp groups with testimonials. Romance scams affected nearly 60% of victims starting on social media, with scammers tailoring pitches to profiles and creating fake crises requiring money. The FTC recommends limiting post visibility, avoiding online investment advice, and researching companies before purchases.