FTC Warns of Record $3.5 Billion in Losses to Imposter Scams in 2025

The FTC reports that imposter scams cost Americans $3.5 billion in 2025 (850,000+ reports), driven by AI-enabled techniques—voice cloning, deepfake video, and automated outreach—that make scams more convincing and scalable; major scam types include government, tech support, family emergency, romance, and business impersonation, with wire transfers, cryptocurrency, and gift cards as common payment methods, and older adults suffering the highest dollar losses. The report highlights organizational risks (BEC, vendor impersonation, IT helpdesk spoofing) and recommends verification, slowing down, avoiding gift cards/crypto, awareness training, and reporting incidents.