State of Scams in The United States of America - 2026

This study of 3,110 U.S. adults shows that scam exposure remains widespread, with 82% of participants encountering a scam in the past year. While 86% say they are confident in recognizing scams, 43% still interacted with a scammer (56% of those exposed). Ultimately, 9% experienced financial or data loss, with only 4% reporting the incident to authorities. Among victims, the impact extends beyond financial harm, with 59% reporting effects on their mental wellbeing, and more than half experiencing repeat scams.

Jun 23, 2026