Social Media Phishing Scams Surge in 2026, FTC Reports $2.1 B Losses

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission said social‑media‑based scams cost Americans $2.1 billion in 2025, with about 30 % of victims first encountering the fraud on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok or X. Fraud experts warned that scammers blend investment, shopping, romance and “party” invitations to steal money and personal data.

A new Anti‑Phishing Working Group (APWG) report found that phishing activity on social media rose sharply in the first quarter of 2026. Scams accounted for 27.1 % of all threats and impersonation attacks made up 43.8 %, together representing 70.9 % of the threat landscape. Attackers are increasingly using evasive techniques—geo/IP blocking, user‑agent filtering and referrer‑based site delivery—to hide malicious sites and extend campaign lifespans. Organizations are urged to strengthen security awareness training to reduce human risk.