The FTC says Americans lost about $2.1 billion in 2025 to scams that started on social media. The agency calls it one of the fastest-growing fraud channels, with losses rising sharply over the past few years.
A large share of these cases begins online. Around 30% of people who lost money said the scam started on a social platform. Facebook stands out as the most common starting point. After that come Instagram and WhatsApp, but the gap is wide. Losses linked to Facebook alone were even higher than what people reported from text and email scams combined.
The scams do not follow one pattern. Many start with ads that look normal. Shopping scams are the most reported type. People say they ordered items they saw on social feeds. Clothes, makeup, tools, and even pets show up in these cases. Some ads lead to fake websites. Others copy real brand pages and push fake discounts.
Another major category is investment fraud. These cases caused around $1.1 billion in losses. They often begin with posts offering “easy investing tips” or quick profit ideas. In some cases, scammers act like mentors. In others, they build WhatsApp groups filled with fake success stories to gain trust.
Romance scams also appear often. Nearly 60% of victims in this group say the scam started on social media. The pattern is similar in many cases. A fake relationship builds over time. Then money requests follow, often tied to emergencies or investment offers.
The FTC points out that social media gives scammers reach at a very low cost. They can hack accounts, study public posts, or run targeted ads like real businesses. That makes detection harder for users.
Age-wise, most groups reported higher losses from social media than from any other method. Only people aged 80 and above saw phone calls as the bigger risk.
The FTC suggests simple steps to reduce exposure. Tighten privacy settings. Be cautious with anyone offering investment advice online. And always check a company’s name with terms like “scam” or “complaint” before buying anything.
