Online Scams In 2025-Who’s Most At Risk

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Online Scams in 2025: Who’s Most at Risk, How Much Americans Are Losing, and How to Stay Safe

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73% of Americans have been hit by an online scam or cyberattack in 2025, costing $16.6 billion last year alone. Learn which groups are most at risk, how scammers operate, and the steps you can take to protect yourself.

The Scale of the Problem

A recent Pew Research Center survey has revealed a sobering truth:
Nearly three-quarters (73%) of U.S. adults have been targeted by online criminals in some way.

And it’s not just small losses. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3):

  • $16.6 billion was stolen from Americans in 2024
  • Average reported loss per victim: $19,400
  • This represents a 33% increase in reported losses compared to 2023

Online scammers aren’t slowing down — they’re getting faster, smarter, and more creative with their schemes.

The Most Common Types of Online Scams in 2025

Here’s how Americans reported being targeted:

  • Bank Card Theft (48%) – Hackers steal debit or credit card numbers, often using skimmers, phishing, or data breaches.
  • Fake or Undelivered Products (36%) – Items bought online that never arrive or turn out to be counterfeit.
  • Account Hijacking (29%) – Email, social media, or financial accounts taken over by criminals.
  • Phishing & Identity Theft (24%) – Personal data stolen via scam emails, texts, or calls.
  • Ransomware (10%) – Computers locked and held hostage until a payment is made.

New in 2025: AI-driven scams such as voice cloning (“vishing”) and deepfake video fraud are on the rise, making it harder than ever to tell real from fake.

Who’s Most at Risk?

Surprisingly, older Americans are not the top target group in 2025.

Victims by Age Group (Pew Research, April 2025):

  • Ages 18–29: 73%
  • Ages 30–49: 77% (highest risk group)
  • Ages 50–64: 76%
  • Ages 65+: 66%

Middle-aged adults may be targeted more often due to higher disposable income, frequent online purchases, and busy schedules, which can make spotting scams harder.

Why Losses Are Growing

Several factors have combined to make online crime more profitable than ever:

  • AI & Automation – Criminals can run multiple scams at once with automated phishing campaigns.
  • Crypto & Digital Payments – Irreversible transactions make recovery difficult.
  • Data Leaks – Every breach increases the pool of stolen personal details.
  • Social Engineering – Scammers manipulate trust, urgency, or fear to trick victims into acting fast.

Why Victims Often Stay Silent

Only 26% of scam victims report the crime to law enforcement. Reasons include:

  • Shame or embarrassment (“I should have known better”)
  • Not knowing how to report
  • Assuming nothing can be done

Unfortunately, not reporting allows scammers to keep targeting others.

How to Report a Scam:

  • FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov)
  • Federal Trade Commission (ReportFraud.ftc.gov)
  • Your bank or credit card company (immediately)

How to Spot an Online Scam Before It Hits You

Watch for these red flags:

  • Urgent or threatening messages (e.g., “Act now or lose your account”)
  • Requests for payment in gift cards, crypto, or wire transfer
  • Poor grammar or misspelled URLs
  • Unsolicited messages with links or attachments
  • Offers that sound too good to be true

If something feels “off,” trust your instincts. It’s better to pause and verify than to regret clicking.

Your 2025 Scam Prevention Toolkit

1. Secure Your Accounts

  • Use unique passwords for each account
  • Enable two-factor authentication
  • Use a password manager like Bitwarden or LastPass

2. Stay Updated

  • Follow trusted cybersecurity news sources
  • Sign up for scam alerts from the FTC or Better Business Bureau

3. Limit Public Information

  • Avoid oversharing on social media
  • Review privacy settings regularly

4. Protect Your Devices

  • Install reputable antivirus software
  • Keep your operating system and apps updated

5. Trust but Verify

  • Double-check URLs and sender addresses
  • Call companies directly to confirm suspicious requests

 The Safe Path to Making Money Online

While scammers promise quick riches, real online income is built on legitimate skills — not get-rich-quick schemes.

That’s why here at Scam Busters USA, our #1 recommendation for building a real, sustainable online business is Wealthy Affiliate.

With Wealthy Affiliate you get:

  • Step-by-step training to build a website from scratch
  • Web hosting & site tools included
  • No shady upsells or hidden fees
  • 24/7 support from a global community
  • Free Starter Plan — try before you buy

Bottom line: Wealthy Affiliate isn’t a “push-button” scheme — it’s a platform that teaches you the skills to earn online for years to come, without falling for scams.

Join Wealthy Affiliate Free Here

 Final Thoughts

Online scams in 2025 are more advanced, more believable, and more profitable for criminals than ever before.
But armed with knowledge, tools, and a healthy dose of skepticism, you can protect yourself and your finances.

Stay informed, stay secure — and if you’re serious about making money online, choose ethical training over empty promises.

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