FTC: Social Media Scams Cost Americans $2.1 Billion in 2025, Up 800% Since 2020

Social Media Scams Cost Americans $2.1 Billion in 2025

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that Americans lost at least $2.1 billion in 2025 to scams originating on social media platforms. This staggering figure represents an eightfold increase since 2020, highlighting the rapid escalation of digital fraud.

Investment Scams Top Losses at $1.1 Billion

According to the FTC, Americans reported losing $1.1 billion last year to investment scams that began on social media. These scams often lured victims through posts or ads promoting investment programs, falsely claiming to help people learn how to invest wisely.

Shopping-Related Ads and Romance Scams Drive Losses

More than 40% of Americans who lost money to social media scams in 2025 blamed shopping-related ads, many of which redirected them to unfamiliar or fraudulent websites. The FTC also warned about the rise of romance scams originating on social media platforms.

Meta Platforms Dominate Scam Origins

The FTC noted that most of these scams originated on Facebook, with WhatsApp and Instagram following as distant second and third, respectively. Last week, a lawsuit was filed against Meta, the parent company of these platforms, alleging that it misled users about the presence of scam ads. Reports in 2025 indicated that Meta generated billions from ads promoting scams and illegal products.

Broader Internet Scams Cost Americans $21 Billion in 2025

The FBI reported earlier this month that Americans lost nearly $21 billion to internet-related crimes in 2025. More than half of these losses—over $10.5 billion—were attributed to cryptocurrency scams. Additionally, artificial intelligence scams cost Americans approximately $893 million last year.

It is important to note that these figures reflect only the reported losses. Many victims do not file complaints with the FBI or FTC, meaning the actual financial impact is likely far greater.

FTC Offers Tips to Avoid Social Media Scams

The FTC provides several recommendations to help users protect themselves from social media scams:

• Limit the reach of your posts: Reduce the amount of personal information available to scammers by adjusting your privacy settings.
• Avoid taking investment advice from strangers: Do not let someone you have met only on social media direct your investment decisions.
• Research before purchasing: Search for a company’s name along with terms like "scam" or "complaint" to check for red flags before buying anything.

The FTC’s final advice is simple: "If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is." Always exercise caution, conduct thorough research, and remain vigilant online.