Online Scams and Attacks in America Today

Online scams and other internet crimes are skyrocketing, with a record $16.6 billion in losses reported to the FBI in 2024. The federal government, banks and companies are all sounding alarms. And the public is also wary, with many having firsthand experience: 

• Nearly all Americans view online scams and attacks as a national problem. More than nine in ten say online scams and attacks are a problem in the country, including 79 percent who describe them as a major problem.
• Most U.S. adults have been victims of an online scam or attack. We find that 73 percent of U.S. adults have ever experienced things like credit card fraud, ransomware, or online shopping scams.

While Americans see older adults as more vulnerable to these crimes, significant portions of both older and younger adults have been scammed and targeted online.