The Federal Trade Commission reported that total fraud losses in 2025 reached approximately $15.9 billion, marking the highest amount on record. This figure reflects an increase of roughly 27% from 2024, when losses totaled $12.5 billion, and a nearly 430% increase since 2020.

Imposter scams were the most reported type of fraud for the fifth consecutive year in 2025, with approximately 1 million reports filed to the FTC. Victims of imposter scams collectively lost $3.5 billion that year. Patty Hsue, Chief of Staff for the FTC's Division of Marketing Practices, said, "The median loss [of $700] is on the lower side but there is a very small percentage of consumers who are losing high six figures and up."

The overall increase in fraud losses is largely driven by a rise in consumers reporting losses of at least $100,000. These high-value losses occur more often among victims aged 60 or older. In 2024, total fraud losses reported by victims in this age group were $2.4 billion, with scams involving losses of $100,000 or more accounting for $1.6 billion, or 68%, of their total losses. Hsue said, "While we get tons and tons of imposter reports from people of all ages … older adults do tend to report more money losses than younger adults."

Hsue explained that imposter scams have become more sophisticated. "We've seen a change in how imposter scams operate these days," she said. "Really it's becoming much more sophisticated than it has been in the past." Amy Nofziger, Senior Director of Victim Support for the AARP Fraud Watch Network, stated, "We used to say to look for spelling errors or poor grammar." She added, "Now, that's gone out the window. With the tools available to criminals, they can make any text or email sound 100% correct."

A newer imposter scam hybrid begins as a business imposter scam, often with a claim that an account has been compromised through a text, email, or call from a well-known brand like a bank or Amazon. After the victim responds, the criminal purports to transfer the victim to a government agency, such as the Federal Trade Commission or FBI. Hsue said, "A fake government agent tells you that you need to move your money in order to protect your account." She added, "The real risk with this ... is that consumers really think they are moving their money to protect it." Victims of this hybrid scam may be convinced to move all their funds, including bank accounts, Roth IRAs, and 401(k)s. Business impersonators obtained $1 billion in 2025, with the highest reported losses in this category coming from criminals pretending to work for a bank. Government impersonators obtained $920 million in 2025.

Nofziger noted that most scams share common characteristics. "Most scams have the same DNA," she said. "They come out of the blue with urgency." She stated that fraudsters try to make victims react with fear or excitement. "They'll get you with fear or get you with excitement … 'This is the FBI and you're going to be in trouble if you don't pay me,' or 'Sweet baby, I have $1 million for you so send me prepaid gift cards to win your prize,'" Nofziger said. She emphasized, "The biggest red flag of all is that they're asking you to send money or your personal information."