Crypto-related scams dominated 2025 losses, with nearly $11.4 billion reported to the FBI and an estimated true cost around $80.7 billion; other major categories include investments, business email compromise, and tech-support scams.

AI-enabled crime surged, with the FBI IC3 reporting $893 million across 22,364 complaints in 2025 as a new category.

A Consumer Federation of America (CFA) analysis puts online scams and cybercrime losses at about $148.2 billion for 2025, up roughly 26% from 2024 and about three times higher than four years earlier.

Some guidance emphasizes verification in emergencies, noting that agreed emergency code words with family should be confirmed in person rather than transmitted electronically.

The report notes affiliate links and photo credits, along with FTC affiliate disclosures.

The rapid rise of the problem is driven in part by AI tools like deepfake voice and video calls and the ease of fabricating documents.

Social media platforms, especially Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, are major scam vectors; CFA urges stronger platform accountability, including advertiser verification and removal of fraudulent content.

Scammers predominantly operate through Meta-owned platforms: Facebook leads at 57%, Instagram 22%, and WhatsApp 8% of exposures.

A June AP-NORC poll found 58% of US adults encounter suspected scams daily and 92% encounter them at least monthly, underscoring widespread exposure.

Practical guidance highlights caution with unsolicited messages asking for money or personal info and advises verifying suspicious offers through legitimate channels first.

Enforcement highlights include FBI Operation Level Up, which alerted 8,000 people and prevented about $500 million in losses; DOJ actions involve crypto Ponzi cases and multi-million forfeitures tied to forced-labor and scam networks.

CFA has sued Meta over scam advertising and pushes for platform accountability, referencing the SCAM Act as a potential legislative fix.