US consumers lost $3.5 billion to impersonator scams last year

Americans lost $3.5 billion to impersonator scams last year, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). These fraudulent activities occurred across various channels, including phone calls, social media, and text messages. Business impersonation specifically accounted for nearly $1 billion of those total losses.

The rise of artificial intelligence is making these scams increasingly difficult to detect, as fraudulent messages can now appear identical to legitimate business communications. Scammers are frequently exploiting mobile messaging platforms like SMS and WhatsApp, where consumers often expect to receive brand communications.

In the first half of 2025, WhatsApp reported shutting down more than 6.8 million accounts linked to criminal scam centers. As companies move toward verified messaging channels to protect consumers, the scale of mobile-based fraud continues to grow.