Gallup released a report on scams Tuesday, July 1, 2026, finding that an estimated 10 percent of adults in the United States directly or indirectly experienced a scam in 2025. The report detailed the financial toll, mental health impact, and demographic disparities associated with these incidents.

In 2025, 6 percent of U.S. adults were personally scammed, while an additional 4 percent experienced a scam indirectly through a household member. The total financial toll of scams in 2025 was estimated at $68 billion, with an average loss of $5,578 per scam. The report indicated that the average amount stolen daily from scams was $186 million, though more than half of reported scams involved losses of $500 or less.

Of those affected by scams, 73 percent reported that the experience adversely affected their mental health or wellbeing. Specifically, 28 percent of adults in affected households reported a very negative impact on their mental health, and 45 percent described the impact as moderately negative. Gallup stated that "The data suggest the cost of scams extends beyond what can be measured in dollars, as nearly three in four victims say the experience negatively affected their mental health or wellbeing."

Demographic data in the report showed disparities in victimization rates. People in lower-income households were more likely to report being scammed than wealthier individuals. This was reflected in educational attainment, with 7 percent of adults possessing less than a bachelor's degree reporting scams, compared to 4 percent of those with a bachelor's degree or higher. Ethnically, 8 percent of Black adults and 9 percent of Hispanic adults reported being scammed, compared to 5 percent of white adults. The report found that victimization rates did not differ by age.

For 20 percent of adults who were personally victimized or lived in a scammed household in 2025, the experience created a severe financial hardship. Households earning less than $80,000 annually were particularly affected by severe financial hardship from scams. Overall, 24 percent of adults reported having been scammed at some point in their lives, with 10 percent stating they had been victims multiple times. Gallup conducted its survey of 5,173 U.S. adults between January and February 2026.

Why It Matters

The Gallup report indicates the widespread nature of scams across the United States, affecting millions of adults and resulting in billions of dollars in losses annually. The findings show mental health consequences for victims, with a large majority reporting negative effects on their wellbeing. The data also reveals socioeconomic and racial disparities in victimization.

Gallup stated that "At a time when institutional trust in the US is already weak, the prevalence of scams represents not just a personal financial threat, but a broader erosion of confidence in the businesses and systems used in everyday life."