What to know about the AP/FRONTLINE investigation into scam victims
Summary
Scams in the U.S. reached a record high, with Americans reporting $15.9 billion in losses in 2025. Many victims receive little help and may even face extra financial problems, like paying taxes on stolen money or being blamed by banks.Key Facts
- Americans lost $15.9 billion to scams in 2025, a 25% increase from 2024, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
- The real losses are believed to be much higher, estimated at around $200 billion for 2024.
- Nearly all Americans (98%) think they have been targeted by scams, and 30% say they lost money or information.
- Interviewed victims ranged from 32 to 90 years old and lost amounts from thousands to millions of dollars.
- Some victims face tax bills on stolen money because of changes in tax laws made permanent in 2025 under President Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
- Banks sometimes freeze victims’ accounts, demand repayments, or accuse them of complicity in scams.
- Financial institutions spend money trying to prevent fraud but are rarely responsible for authorized transactions by customers.
- The investigation was done by The Associated Press and FRONTLINE based on interviews with 58 scam victims.
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