04/27/2026

How to spot the top scams that started on social media

FTC

If you’re on social media, you know posts from friends and family might not be the only ones on your newsfeed — scammers are there too. FTC data shows that losses to scams on social media have been increasing dramatically since 2020 — people reported losing $2.1 billion to these scams in 2025 alone. The FTC’s new data spotlight brings to light some of the insights about what scams people experience on social media. Keep reading to learn how to scroll past the scams.

Here’s what we know about the top scams that started on apps like Facebook, WhatsApp, or Instagram:

• Shopping scams were the most reported scam on social media. Scammers post ads offering high-priced items for cheap. If you click, you might end up on a site that’s impersonating a well-known brand. Most people said their items never arrived, while others said what came in the mail was either a knock off or simply not what they ordered.
• More than half of the reported losses came from investment scams. Scammers use ads and testimonials offering to teach you a fool-proof way to beat the stock market. But investing always comes with risk.