Consumers lost $2.1 billion to social media scams in 2025, FTC reports

Losses from social media scams have increased eightfold, with social media now generating higher scam losses than any other contact method used to reach consumers. The report points to a sharp deterioration in consumer fraud risk and likely increases pressure for platform oversight and consumer protection measures. Market impact is limited overall, but the data is materially negative for social platforms and digital trust.

Analysis

Losses from social media scams have increased eightfold, with social media now generating higher scam losses than any other contact method used to reach consumers. The report points to a sharp deterioration in consumer fraud risk and likely increases pressure for platform oversight and consumer protection measures. Market impact is limited overall, but the data is materially negative for social platforms and digital trust.