FTC: $2.1B Lost to Social Media Scams in 2025, Up 8x Since 2020

FTC data shows U.S. consumers lost $2.1 billion to social media scams in 2025.

Fresh figures published by the FTC show U.S. consumers reported $2.1 billion in losses from scams initiated on social media in 2025—up eightfold from 2020. Social media now rivals, and in some cases surpasses, phone or email as a launchpad for fraud.

• The FTC defines these scams as cases where contact with the victim began on a social networking platform, including both financial fraud and schemes involving non-delivery of goods.
• 30% of those reporting fraud losses in 2025 said their encounter with the scammer began on social media. These channels are now among the top ways perpetrators reach victims.
• Investment fraud was the most damaging by dollar value, driving over $1.1 billion in reported losses linked to social media.
• Shopping-related scams were the most frequently reported scenario, with 40% of affected consumers saying they never received the items they paid for.
• Cases of romantic deception are also rising—nearly 60% of romance scam losses in 2025 stemmed from initial contact through social networking platforms.

Per the FTC, Facebook drew the highest dollar amount of reported losses, followed by WhatsApp and Instagram, signaling major platforms remain disproportionately targeted. These scams form a material slice of the $15.9 billion overall fraud losses reported last year.

"The billions of dollars American consumers lose at the hands of impersonators is staggering," said Chris Mufarrige, Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection at the FTC.

For legal and compliance leaders, the FTC's findings emphasize the need to tailor monitoring and controls as fraud tactics on social media evolve rapidly.

Yes, but: The data relies on consumer-reported figures, which may undercount true losses given limited reporting rates.

What's next: The FTC has signaled further engagement with major platforms to address emerging fraud tactics in 2026.