F-Secure’s recent Scam Intelligence & Impacts Report forecasts that over half of Americans will fall victim to fraud in 2025. The study reveals that 56% of consumers encounter scam attempts at least once a month, highlighting an alarming trend in online scams.
The survey, which included 10,000 respondents, found that 52% of all fraud victims lost money when targeted by scammers. The number of individuals losing money from scams more than doubled compared to the previous year, with 40 million Americans having fallen victim to scams over the past 12 months.
Data from 2024 indicated that nearly 80 million Americans lost money to scams in the preceding five years. Scammers are increasingly focusing on higher-value scams, including fake invoices, investment fraud, and banking scams.
Artificial intelligence has played a significant role in enhancing these scams, enabling better targeting and impersonation. Many consumers are now using AI chatbots for information without verifying the accuracy, increasing their vulnerability. An incident involving ChatGPT sharing scammer phone numbers during a weather crisis exemplifies this risk.
The study warns of a potential rise in fraudulent online stores as consumers increasingly depend on AI for shopping. Scammers are also leveraging AI to refine their tactics, personalizing communications through fake identities.
Despite high confidence in their ability to identify scams, 69% of respondents believe they can spot a scam, yet 43% of these individuals have still become victims. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warned that social media is becoming a prominent attack vector, with losses increasing eightfold from 2020 to 2025.
In 2025, about 30% of Americans who lost money to scams reported that the scam originated on social media. Younger consumers face more scam attempts due to their higher online activity, while older individuals tend to lose more money when attacked.
The report shows that 93% of respondents believe telecom companies should provide protections against scams, with 82% stating such measures could influence their choice of provider. Timo Laaksonen, President and CEO of F-Secure, emphasized the need to shift towards building resilience and trust in the digital experience.
