Americans lost $2.1 billion to social media scams in 2025, according to a updated report from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The agency reports that losses from social media scams have increased eightfold and that social media scams resulted in higher losses than any other method scammers used to contact consumers.

Nearly 30% of citizens who reported losing finances to scams remarked the schemes began on social media. More individuals reported losing funds to scams that originated on Facebook than on any other social media platform, with WhatsApp and Instagram ranking a distant second and third. Additionally, the public reported losing far more finances to scams on Facebook alone than they reported losing to text or email scams. This also touches on aspects of Android.

The FTC’s data shows that social media scams take many forms, including shopping scams,In an ad, which were the most reported type of social media scam last year. Over 40% of citizens who lost finances to social media scams commented they ordered an item they saw, ranging from clothing and cosmetics to car parts and even puppies. Many of these ads led to unfamiliar websites, while others sent humans to fake sites for well-known brands that claimed to offer massive discounts.

Another common type of social media scam involves investment schemes that begin with ads or posts offering to teach the public how to invest. Other scammers pose as friendly advisers or create WhatsApp groups filled with fake testimonials. These types of investment scams led to $1.1 billion in losses.

Additionally, nearly 60%In 2025 commented it started on a social media platform, of the public who reported losing capital to a romance scam. Scammers often tailor their pitch to match a person’s profile and later invent a crisis that requires finances. Or, they casually offer investment advice to lure them onto a fake investment platform. Furthermore, experts in startup note the continued relevance.

The FTC advises that users can protect themselves from social media scams by limiting who can see their posts and contacts, never allowing someone they met online to direct their investment decisions, and carefully vetting products before making a purchase by researching the business and searching the name alongside the terms “scam” or “complaint.”

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