Americans lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023 — a 14% increase over the prior year. This page covers every major scam category, how each one works, the red flags to watch for, and how to file a report. Click any scam type to read the full guide and submit a report. Total U.S. fraud losses (2023) Fraud reports filed with FTC Scam types covered on this site Year-over-year increase in losses Click any card to read the full guide, learn the red flags, and submit a report. Financial & Investment Fraud Investment Scams Ponzi schemes, forex fraud, fake platforms Fake trading platforms, unregistered securities, Ponzi schemes, and algorithmic trading scams that promise guaranteed returns. The #1 costliest scam category. Cryptocurrency Scams Bitcoin fraud, rug pulls, fake exchanges Fake crypto exchanges, rug pulls, pump-and-dump schemes, and fraudulent mining platforms. 86.7% of investment fraud involves crypto. Pig Butchering Scams Sha Zhu Pan, crypto romance scams A long-con where scammers groom victims through dating apps into 'investing' on fake crypto platforms. The most expensive single scam type globally. Credit Card & Check Fraud Card skimming, fake checks, account takeover Card skimming at ATMs, unauthorized online purchases, fake check schemes, check washing, and account takeover fraud. Zelle, Cash App & Venmo Scams P2P fraud, overpayment scams Marketplace fraud, overpayment scams, and phishing attacks on Zelle, Cash App, and Venmo. Transfers are nearly instant and almost impossible to reverse. Advance Fee / 419 Scams Nigerian prince, inheritance scam Someone promises you a large sum — inheritance, business deal, locked funds — but you need to pay fees first. Each payment leads to another fee. The money never comes. Gift Card Scams iTunes scam, Target card scam Scammers demand payment via gift cards — the untraceable cash of the digital age. Often combined with government impersonation or tech support scams. Identity & Impersonation Fraud Catfishing, love scams, dating fraud Fake romantic relationships on dating apps and social media. Scammers build trust over weeks, then ask for money for emergencies, travel, or medical bills. Impersonation Scams Amazon, Apple, bank impersonation The #1 most reported fraud. Scammers pose as companies (Amazon, Apple, banks), celebrities, or even family members. 39% now use AI deepfakes. Government Impersonation IRS scams, SSA scams, fake FBI Fake IRS, Social Security, or law enforcement calls threatening arrest unless you pay immediately. No government agency ever demands gift card payments. Military Romance Scams Fake soldiers, deployment fraud Stolen photos of real service members used to build fake relationships. 'Deployment' is the excuse for never meeting. Real soldiers never need your money. Smishing, vishing, credential theft Fake emails, texts, and websites impersonating banks, USPS, Netflix to steal login credentials and personal data. The most common cybercrime by volume. SSN theft, data breach, credit fraud Criminals use stolen personal info to open accounts, file fake tax returns, or commit crimes in your name. 1.4M reports filed in 2023. AI Deepfake Scams Voice cloning, fake videos, AI fraud AI-generated fake videos, cloned voices, and deepfake celebrity endorsements used for fraud. The fastest-growing scam technology. Consumer & Marketplace Fraud Online Shopping Scams Fake stores, non-delivery, dropship fraud Fake online stores with too-good prices on Instagram and Facebook ads. Products never arrive, are cheap knockoffs, or the site steals card data. Facebook Marketplace Scams Fake listings, no-show sellers Fake product listings, no-show sellers, counterfeit goods, and fake rental/vehicle listings. Zelle payments nearly impossible to recover. Tech Support Scams Fake Microsoft/Apple calls Fake virus warnings and calls from 'Microsoft' or 'Apple' trick victims into granting remote access, then charge for fake repairs or drain accounts. Employment Scams Fake jobs, task scams, check fraud Fake job postings, work-from-home scams, and task scams requiring deposits. Job scam losses tripled from $90M (2020) to $501M (2024).

Fake apartments, landlord fraud Fake rental listings with stolen photos, below-market prices, and landlords who are 'out of town.' Deposits collected from multiple victims simultaneously. Car & Vehicle Scams Odometer fraud, phantom listings Fake car listings, odometer rollbacks, title washing, and VIN cloning. One of the highest-dollar consumer frauds with $3K-$10K average loss. Puppy & Pet Scams Fake breeders, puppy deposit fraud Adorable photos stolen from real breeders, attractive prices, deposits via cash apps — then escalating 'shipping fees' for a puppy that never arrives. Lottery & Sweepstakes Scams Fake prizes, Publishers Clearing House scam Fake prize notifications by phone, email, or mail. You can't win a contest you never entered, and legitimate prizes never require upfront payment. Fake donations, GoFundMe fraud Fake charities exploit disasters and tragedies. Names similar to real organizations, high-pressure phone calls, and fraudulent crowdfunding campaigns. Real Estate & Mortgage Scams Wire fraud, deed theft, foreclosure scams Closing wire fraud that diverts down payments, deed theft targeting vacant properties, and foreclosure rescue scams. Average loss: $70K per incident. Targeted Scams & Cyber Threats Online blackmail, nude blackmail Blackmail involving intimate images — real or AI-generated. Surging among teens and young adults. 20+ teen suicides linked since 2022. Senior scams, financial exploitation Americans over 60 lose the most money of any age group. Tech support, romance, grandparent scams, and sweepstakes fraud target seniors relentlessly. Grandparent Scams Emergency scam, fake bail call 'Grandma, I've been in an accident!' AI voice cloning makes these calls sound exactly like your grandchild. A family code word is the best defense. Sugar Daddy / Sugar Mama Scams Instagram sugar scam, Cash App sugar Fake sugar daddy/mama accounts on Instagram and Snapchat offering thousands per week. Requires a 'registration fee' or bank login to 'deposit' funds. Business Email Compromise (BEC) CEO fraud, invoice scams Scammers impersonate executives or vendors to trick employees into wiring money. #2 costliest cybercrime. FBI can freeze wires if reported in 24-72 hours. Computer locked, files encrypted Malware encrypts your files and demands cryptocurrency payment. Check nomoreransom.org for free decryption tools before paying anything. Social Media Scams Instagram, TikTok, Facebook fraud Social media is the #1 contact method for scams. Fake giveaways, hacked accounts, fraudulent ads, and DM recruitment scams across every platform. Report a Specific Entity Report a Crypto Wallet Suspicious wallet address Report a specific cryptocurrency wallet address involved in a scam. Helps blockchain analysis firms trace and flag criminal wallets. Report a Fake Social Media Profile Catfish accounts, impersonators Report a fake or impersonation profile on any social media platform. Helps platforms remove fraudulent accounts faster. Report a Fraudulent Website Scam sites, fake stores Report a scam website — fake stores, phishing pages, fraudulent businesses. Helps browsers and search engines warn other visitors. How to protect yourself from any scam Verify before you trust Search names, phone numbers, emails, and websites on ScamComplaints before sending money. Check company registration on SEC.gov or BBB. Every scam creates artificial time pressure — "act now or lose your account / go to jail / miss the deal." Legitimate organizations give you time to think. Payment method = red flag Gift cards, wire transfers, crypto, and cash apps are scam payment methods. Use credit cards for purchase protection and chargeback rights. Guard your personal info Never share your SSN, bank login, or copies of ID with anyone who contacts you first. Legitimate employers and agencies don't ask via text. Verify identity independently If someone claims to be from your bank, the IRS, or a company — hang up and call the official number from their website. Never use a number they provide. Report everything Even if you didn't lose money, report scam attempts. Every report builds the database that protects others. Been scammed? Report it now. Your report is added to a public, searchable database. It takes under 2 minutes and helps protect others from the same scam.