Americans reported losing a record $3.5 billion to impersonation scams in 2025, according to newly released data from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), highlighting the growing success of fraudsters posing as trusted organizations and government agencies.
The FTC said impersonation scams remained the most commonly reported type of fraud for the ninth consecutive year, generating more than one million reports from consumers across the United States.
Scammers frequently pretended to represent banks, government agencies, technology companies, online marketplaces, and well-known businesses. Victims were often pressured into transferring money, sharing personal information, or making urgent payments after being told their accounts were compromised or their funds were at risk.
Business impersonation scams accounted for the largest share of reported losses, totaling nearly $1 billion during 2025. Criminals commonly posed as banks and financial institutions, convincing victims to move money into supposedly secure accounts that were actually controlled by scammers.
Government impersonation scams were another major source of losses, costing consumers approximately $920 million last year. Fraudsters frequently claimed to represent agencies such as the IRS, Social Security Administration, or law enforcement organizations to pressure targets into making payments or disclosing sensitive information.
According to the FTC, scammers increasingly rely on text messages, phone calls, emails, social media platforms, and online advertisements to reach potential victims. Many schemes used urgent warnings, account security alerts, or threats of legal action to create panic and encourage immediate action.
The agency noted that impersonation scams were responsible for nearly one-third of all fraud reports received during the year. Reported losses have grown dramatically over the past five years, reflecting both the scale and sophistication of modern fraud operations.
The figures form part of a broader fraud landscape that saw Americans report nearly $16 billion in total losses during 2025, the highest amount ever recorded by the FTC.
Consumer protection officials warn that the real financial impact is likely much higher because many victims never report incidents to authorities. As a result, reported losses represent only a fraction of the money believed to be stolen through fraud each year.
The FTC advises consumers to independently verify unexpected requests for money or personal information, avoid responding to urgent demands from unknown contacts, and contact organizations directly through official channels before taking action.
With impersonation scams continuing to evolve and exploit public trust, regulators say awareness remains one of the strongest defenses against a fraud category that is now costing Americans billions of dollars annually.