AI Scams Trick Millions of Americans, Cost $68 Billion

Key points

• 15 million U.S. adults fell victim to scams last year, a survey found.
• AI and deepfakes were involved in 12% of these scams.
• Americans lost a total of $68 billion to scams in 2025.

Artificial intelligence (AI) isn't just revolutionizing industries—it's becoming a powerful tool for scammers too. A survey conducted by Gallup and the Stop Scams Alliance revealed that around 15 million U.S. adults were scammed out of money last year, with AI or deepfakes used in about 12% of these incidents. Deepfakes are realistic fake images or videos created using AI technology.

This survey, which gathered data from over 5,000 U.S. adults, highlights the scale of the problem: Americans lost a staggering $68 billion to scams in 2025. Ken Westbrook, founder and CEO of the Stop Scams Alliance, likened the financial loss to the annual revenues of a Fortune 500 company, emphasizing the organized nature of these criminal activities.

AI's role in scams has been growing. In March, Interpol warned that AI can enhance fraudulent activities, making them more sophisticated and harder to detect. AI companies like OpenAI have also published reports on how their technologies are being misused for scams.

How are these scams affecting people?

Scams have severe consequences, both financially and emotionally. The survey found that 21% of victims suffered severe financial hardship, while 46% experienced moderate hardship. Scammers often use sophisticated techniques to trick victims, such as impersonating authorities or creating fake emergency situations.

For example, a woman was deceived by scammers posing as a sheriff's department, who convinced her to pay for a non-existent emergency surgery for her missing cat. Such scams not only drain financial resources but also impact mental health—75% of respondents reported negative effects on their well-being.

Fraudulent websites and fake communications via phone, email, and text are common. Scammers frequently use payment apps like Zelle and PayPal to receive money, exploiting victims' trust in these platforms. The survey also revealed that lower-income individuals, people of color, and those without bachelor’s degrees are more likely to be targeted.

The Gallup survey highlights a significant data gap: the U.S. doesn't regularly collect comprehensive scam data, which means many incidents go unreported. This lack of data makes it challenging to allocate resources effectively and combat the issue.

Efforts to measure and understand the full extent of scams could help mitigate their impact, as seen in other countries like the United Kingdom and Australia, which conduct annual scam surveys.

Overall, the survey paints a concerning picture of how AI is being used to scale up fraudulent activities, affecting millions of Americans. To protect themselves, individuals need to be aware of the tactics scammers use and question any suspicious requests for money or personal information.