Social Media Scams Reach Alarming Heights

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has released a report revealing that Americans lost $2.1 billion to social media scams in 2025. This represents an eightfold increase in losses from the previous year, with social media scams resulting in higher losses than any other method scammers used to contact consumers.

The FTC's data shows that social media scams take many forms, including shopping scams, investment schemes, and romance scams. In 2025, nearly 30% of people who reported losing money to scams said the schemes began on social media. Facebook was the most common platform used for these scams, with WhatsApp and Instagram ranking a distant second and third.

Types of Social Media Scams

• Shopping scams: Over 40% of people who lost money to social media scams said they ordered an item they saw in an ad. These ads often led to unfamiliar websites or fake sites for well-known brands offering big discounts.
• Investment schemes: Scammers pose as friendly advisors or create WhatsApp groups filled with fake testimonials. These types of investment scams led to $1.1 billion in losses.
• Romance scams: Nearly 60% of people who reported losing money to a romance scam in 2025 said it started on a social media platform. Scammers often tailor their pitch to match a person's profile and later invent a crisis that requires money.

Protecting Yourself from Social Media Scams

• Limit who can see your posts and contacts
• Never allow someone you met online to direct your investment decisions
• Carefully vet products before making a purchase by researching the company and searching the name alongside the terms 'scam' or 'complaint'

The FTC warns consumers to be cautious when using social media platforms and to take steps to protect themselves from these types of scams.