Stop Scams Alliance & Gallup | A national study reveals the staggering financial and emotional toll of scams on Americans, including losses that far exceed what is reported to federal authorities.
United States of Scams: The Financial and Emotional Fallout draws on a nationally representative survey of 5,173 U.S. adults to examine the prevalence of scams, how criminals reach their victims, and the lasting consequences of financial fraud.
Key Findings from the Report
$68 billion in estimated scam losses in 2025, more than four times the $16 billion reported to the FTC.
15 million Americans were personally victimized by scams in 2025.
41% of Americans encounter attempted scams at least once a day.
73% of people whose households experienced a scam reported a negative impact on their mental health or well-being.
Only 13% of scams were reported to the FTC or federal law enforcement.
The research reveals a critical challenge: most scams never reach federal authorities. This leaves law enforcement without the information needed to identify patterns, track criminal networks, and disrupt their operations.
The emotional consequences are equally troubling. Victims describe anxiety, shame, betrayal, and a lasting loss of trust, even when stolen money is recovered.
One victim interviewed by Gallup described the experience: “It just felt like everything was gone.”
At Operation Shamrock, we believe these findings reinforce the need for coordinated action across technology companies, financial institutions, law enforcement, and government.
Better reporting, intelligence sharing, and earlier intervention can help identify and disrupt criminal networks before they harm more people.
The report makes clear that the true cost of scams extends far beyond financial losses. Preventing that harm requires a response equal to the scale of the problem.
Learn More
Read the full report: United States of Scams: The Financial and Emotional Fallout
Watch “Scam Solutions: A Plan to Stop America’s Scam Epidemic,” an interview with Ken Westbrook, founder of the Stop Scams Alliance, on the Stolen podcast.
