Imposter Scams Cost Victims $3.5 Billion in 2025 - Here's What to Watch Out For

A new report shares eye-opening statistics about the prevalence of imposter scams, highlighting the importance of being aware of the most common scams so you could keep more cash in your wallet. According to the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) newly released data, imposter scams were the most frequently reported fraud category in 2025, and losses nearly tripled compared to 2020.

Read on to learn how to spot imposter scams, how to protect yourself, and what to do if you spot a scam.

The prevalence of imposter scams

Imposter scams occur when scammers pretend to be someone else in an effort to trick you. The scammer might try to trick you into giving them money, your personal information, or even access to your financial accounts. A scammer might impersonate a business or a government agency in an effort to gain your trust.

Imposter scams have become incredibly prevalent over the past few years. According to the FTC, Americans lost $3.5 billion to imposter scams in 2025 alone, and nearly one in three fraud reports were for imposter scams.

Many imposter scams target older adults, and the new data only reflects losses that were reported. Sadly, actual losses are almost certainly higher, since many victims never report the scam.

Staying aware of the common types and warning signs of imposter scams may help you protect yourself.

Fake security alert scams

Imposter scams may target victims through text, phone, email, social media, search engine results, and more. Many scams begin with a fake security alert that appears to be coming from your bank. The alert might prompt you to move your money to help protect it, when in reality, you're unknowingly giving a scammer access to your money.

These fake security alert scams may be some of the costliest, since the losses are only limited by the amount of money in your bank account.

Bank impersonator scams

Many scammers try to impersonate a bank. Bank impersonation scams often arrive as a text message, and a scammer requests personal information like your Social Security number, credit card or debit card number, or bank account password. The FTC reports that people lost nearly $1 billion to business impersonation scams in 2025, and the highest losses were due to bank impersonations.

How to spot bank impersonation scams

Bank impersonation messages are structured to create a sense of urgency to catch you off-guard and prompt you to respond quickly. The person might act as a member of a fraud department trying to help you protect your account from a threat, or the text might ask you to verify a large purchase that you didn't make.

If you receive unexpected communication from your bank, such as a text message or phone call, it's best to contact your bank directly using a phone number you already have to confirm whether the communication you've received is genuine.

Fake toll messages

You also need to be aware of fraudulent text messages that seem to come from toll payment companies, like E-ZPass, FasTrak, and I-PASS. These scam texts indicate that you have an unpaid toll or a balance. They often include a link and prompt you to click the link immediately to verify your information or make a payment. The link may appear to be a legitimate website, but it's a phishing site designed to steal your information.

Scam text messages may ask you to use an unusual payment method, like a wire transfer or gift card. Also look for other red flags, like the fact that the scam doesn't include your name in the greeting or that it comes from an international number.

Social media and scams

Social media is one of the most lucrative platforms for scammers. According to 2026 FTC data, in 2025, nearly 30% of people who reported losing money to a scam were victims of a scam that started on social media. Losses from social media scams reached $2.1 billion, an eightfold increase since 2020.

Social media platforms give scammers access to billions of people from all over the world. Scammers might use different methods, like hacking a user's account or buying ads to target certain people according to demographics like age or shopping habits.

Certain social media platforms are riskier than others. In 2025, people reported losing more money to Facebook scams than scams that started on any other social media platform.

The Never, Ever campaign

The FTC is leading the Never Ever campaign to raise awareness of imposter scams and help protect Americans from scammers impersonating the government and businesses. The campaign highlights actions the government would never, ever take.

For example, the government would never, ever tell you to move your money to protect it. It would never, ever threaten to cut off your benefits unless you make an immediate payment. And the government would never, ever demand payment via gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or payment app.

Remember the never, ever rule: if you receive communication supposedly from a business or the government, it might help you identify a scam.

Bottom line

Being aware of common scams and their warning signs may help protect you and your family. To help protect others, too, report suspected scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

While scams are a real threat, being smart and staying aware of potential risks is the best way to stay safe. Taking just a few minutes to double-check communication you receive and verify its source might help you keep more cash in your pocket.

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