Scam Reports Surged Throughout 2025

The Better Business Bureau reported a significant rise in consumer scam submissions and financial losses in 2025.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Financial Crime

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a jagged dark geometric shard hovering over a pedestal, symbolizing the rise in consumer financial fraud. — The Better Business Bureau reported that scam submissions surged by 80 percent in 2025, reaching 146,000 cases with higher median financial losses. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Better Business Bureau received 146,000 scam reports in 2025, representing an 80 percent increase from the 81,000 cases recorded in 2024. During this period, the median financial loss per scam rose from $93 to $130.

Why it matters

The rise in report volume highlights growing risks for consumers, particularly as scammers increasingly target children and attempt to re-victimize those who have already fallen for schemes.

Investment and cryptocurrency schemes were identified as the riskiest scam types, followed by employment and online purchase fraud. Data indicates that most victims are targeted multiple times after an initial interaction.

The players

Better Business Bureau

This private, non-profit organization focuses on advancing marketplace trust by collecting consumer complaints and tracking fraudulent activity.

Lisa Schiller

She is a spokesperson and representative for the Better Business Bureau who provides public commentary on consumer fraud and safety trends.

The details

The Better Business Bureau tracks these trends through its Scam Tracker platform, where user submissions help document the proliferation of impersonation scams involving major brands like PayPal, Amazon, and Target. Despite the spike in activity, only 8.1 percent of surveyed individuals report knowing the correct process for flagging fraudulent activity.

In 2024, the Better Business Bureau received 81,000 scam reports.
In 2025, the Better Business Bureau received 146,000 scam reports.
On September 21, 2026, Lisa Schiller discussed national scam report data.

Legal Context

This data follows a pattern established by the 2025 Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker annual report, which tracks the evolution of consumer fraud in an increasingly digital economy. The rise in reports reflects broader systemic challenges in consumer education and the growing sophistication of online criminal enterprises.

Given that most victims are targeted again, consumers are advised to heighten vigilance after a first encounter with a suspected scam. Only 8.1 percent of the public currently knows how to report fraud, suggesting a critical need for residents to utilize tools like the BBB Scam Tracker to protect their financial assets.

The takeaway

Consumers should prioritize learning official reporting protocols to help mitigate personal losses and prevent scammers from succeeding with repeat attempts. Staying informed about the most impersonated brands can provide a first line of defense against common online purchase and investment schemes.