US Scam & Fraud Statistics
Reported scam and fraud losses in the United States, drawn from FTC Consumer Sentinel Network and FBI IC3 annual reports.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
The United States has two major official reporting channels for consumer fraud: the Federal Trade Commission's Consumer Sentinel Network and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Each uses different definitions, methodologies, and populations, so their totals should not be added together.
Fraud is widely under-reported: the FTC estimates that most victims never file a report. The figures below represent only what was reported to those agencies in the years noted. Treat them as minimums, not complete totals.
Key figures
Over $12.5 billion in 2024 — a 25% increase on 2023
Reported consumer fraud losses (US)
Source: FTC Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2024 (2024)
Over $16.6 billion across 859,532 complaints in 2024
Total internet crime losses reported to the FBI
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) 2024 Annual Report (2024)
$5.7 billion in 2024 — the largest single fraud category
Reported losses to investment scams (FTC)
Source: FTC Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2024 (2024)
$2.95 billion in 2024
Reported losses to imposter scams (FTC)
Source: FTC Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2024 (2024)
2.6 million reports in 2024
Consumer fraud reports received by the FTC
Source: FTC Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2024 (2024)
Key takeaways
- According to the FTC, reported fraud losses in the US exceeded $12.5 billion in 2024 — the highest on record at the time of publication.
- Investment scams were the single costliest fraud category reported to the FTC, accounting for $5.7 billion of that total.
- The FTC and FBI IC3 figures are not additive — they use different reporting pools and definitions.
- Most fraud goes unreported; official figures should be treated as a floor, not a ceiling.
Frequently asked questions
Why do FTC and FBI figures differ so much?
The FTC's Consumer Sentinel Network collects reports from consumers and partner agencies about a broad range of fraud. The FBI's IC3 focuses on internet crime complaints. They have different reporting populations, definitions, and counting methods — so their totals overlap but are not the same universe of events.
Does the $12.5 billion FTC figure include all fraud in the US?
No. It covers only fraud reported to the FTC and its data-sharing partners in 2024. The FTC itself notes that the vast majority of fraud is never reported to any agency.
Why do scam statistics change so much year to year?
Reporting volumes, reporting methods, new scam types, and media coverage all affect how many people submit reports. A rise in reported losses can reflect a real increase in scam activity or simply greater awareness and reporting.
Where can I report a scam in the US?
You can file a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and with the FBI's IC3 at ic3.gov. If you lost money, also contact your bank or card issuer immediately.