A recent AP-NORC survey reveals widespread concerns about scams among Americans, with about 3 in 10 individuals reporting personal loss of money or information. The study conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research highlights the daily challenges that U.S. adults face in identifying fraudulent activities amidst constant scam attempts.
Another survey by Gallup and the Stop Scams Alliance, shared exclusively with the AP, indicates that 1 in 10 U.S. adults experienced financial loss or unauthorized account access due to scams in the past year. Of those affected, nearly half reported losing more than $500. The surveys show that few victims report these incidents to authorities, believing it won’t aid in recovering lost funds.
“You’ve got to be pretty sophisticated these days,” remarked Adam Pratter, 42, who was scammed on a dating app. He became aware of the fraud when demands for money persisted, highlighting the challenges in recognizing scams. Pratter suggests both financial institutions and the government should play more significant roles in protecting against such frauds.
Constant Scam Attempts
The surveys reveal that Americans face incessant scam attempts. The AP-NORC poll notes that 58% of U.S. adults encounter potential scams through daily communications like text messages, calls, or emails. The Gallup survey finds that around 4 in 10 Americans experience daily scam attempts. Younger individuals like Porschel Smith, 22, face multiple scam calls daily and often identify the fraud based on unrealistic claims.
According to the AP-NORC poll, older Americans are more likely to report daily scam attempts, with about 7 in 10 adults over 60 years saying they receive daily contact from suspects. Common scam tactics include fake notifications about package deliveries or banking activities. Platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp are frequently used for these scams, according to survey respondents.
Scams’ Widespread Impact
Scams have a significant impact, with 51% of U.S. adults acknowledging they know someone personally who lost money due to scams, as per the AP-NORC survey. Gallup reports 1 in 10 adults experienced scams in 2025, with losses often falling between $125 and $2,000. Some, like Towonna Harris, describe scams involving supposed tuition payments that escalate in complexity.
Few Victims Report Scams
Despite recognizing the threats scams pose, few victims report them to authorities. Gallup indicates about 55% of scam victims contact financial institutions, while only 18% reach out to state or local law enforcement, and 13% report to federal agencies. Many don’t report because they see little chance of recovering lost funds or lack knowledge of reporting channels.
Max Anderson, 23, recounted how his parents, small business owners, were scammed out of $15,000 through fraudulent payroll changes. The FBI eventually assisted, and Anderson believes government intervention is necessary given the scale of scam-related issues.
The AP-NORC survey was conducted with 1,133 adults from Feb. 19-23, and has a sampling error margin of ±4.0 percentage points. The Gallup poll surveyed 5,173 adults from Jan. 8-Feb. 18, with an error margin of ±1.4 percentage points.