FTC Reports $2.1 Billion Lost to Social Media Scams in 2025, Facebook Users Most Affected
In 2025, Americans lost a staggering $2.1 billion to scams originating on social media platforms, as reported by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This marks an eightfold increase in losses compared to previous years, with social media scams surpassing all other methods used by scammers. Facebook was identified as the leading platform where these scams began, followed by WhatsApp and Instagram. The FTC highlighted that nearly 30% of scam victims reported that the fraudulent schemes started on social media. The scams varied widely, including shopping scams, where over 40% of victims reported purchasing items from ads that led to unfamiliar or fake websites. Investment scams were also prevalent, resulting in $1.1 billion in losses, often initiated through ads or posts offering investment advice. Romance scams were another significant issue, with nearly 60% of such scams starting on social media. 
