Americans lost $3.5 billion to imposter scams in 2025, according to FTC data. The figure marks a nearly threefold increase since 2020.
The Federal Trade Commission released the warning as imposter fraud continues accelerating across the U.S. The scams—where criminals impersonate trusted entities like government agencies, banks, or tech companies—now represent one of the costliest fraud categories.
Reported losses have surged from approximately $1.2 billion in 2020 to the current $3.5 billion, reflecting both increased scam sophistication and wider adoption of digital communication channels that enable fraud.
Common imposter tactics include fake IRS calls, spoofed bank notifications, and fraudulent tech support claims. Scammers leverage urgency and authority to pressure victims into transferring money or sharing sensitive information.
The FTC recommends verifying caller identity through official channels, avoiding unsolicited contact responses, and reporting suspected scams to ic3.gov or reportfraud.ftc.gov. Individuals who have lost money should document all communications and contact local law enforcement.
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