US scam reporting rates vary significantly by state

Data from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reveals significant variations in scam reporting across the United States. Based on the Consumer Sentinel Network, more than 6 million reports of fraud, identity theft, and consumer complaints were analyzed against state populations.

In a single year, Americans reported losses exceeding $15.9 billion due to fraud. While younger adults report falling victim to scams more frequently, older adults tend to lose larger sums per instance, often due to scammers targeting retirement savings.

Rankings based on reports per 100,000 residents show that some states experience scam rates nearly triple those of others. These findings aim to help consumers recognize regional risks and assist policymakers in directing resources to high-risk areas.