Reported online fraud losses keep climbing. The FTC logged $12.5 billion in consumer fraud losses in 2024, the highest annual total in agency history, while FBI IC3 cybercrime losses reached $16.6 billion. These are the latest full-year baselines before 2026, drawn from FTC and FBI IC3. For victims, the path starts with reporting an AI scam.
The gap between FTC and IC3 totals is not a contradiction. FTC reports capture consumer fraud complaints, including many payments made through banks, gift cards, and crypto. IC3 captures cybercrime incidents, including business email compromise and investment fraud reported through law enforcement channels. Both datasets record only reported losses, so the true total is likely higher. A bank wire transfer averages $14,000 per incident, the highest of any payment method, which means recovery timing matters. Victims should follow how to get money back after an AI scam quickly.
Crypto is the common thread in the most expensive fraud types. Investment fraud caused $6.57 billion in losses in 2024, and crypto accounted for 87% of that dollar loss. Separately, consumers reported $1.4 billion lost via cryptocurrency to the FTC in 2023. This concentration makes AI investment scam recovery a high priority. Identity fraud losses reached $23 billion in 2023, which should push victims toward identity protection after an AI scam.
Headline fraud and cybercrime losses
| Stat | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| $12.5 billion | Consumer fraud losses reported to the FTC in 2024, the highest annual total in agency history | FTC Consumer Sentinel Network, 2024 |
| $16.6 billion | Cybercrime losses reported to FBI IC3 in 2024 | FBI IC3, 2024 |
| $10.3 billion | Fraud losses reported to the FTC in 2022 | FTC Consumer Sentinel Network, 2021-2022 |
| $5.8 billion | Fraud losses reported to the FTC in 2021 | FTC Consumer Sentinel Network, 2021-2022 |
| More than doubled | Reported fraud losses increased from $5.8 billion in 2021 to $12.5 billion in 2024 | FTC Consumer Sentinel Network, 2021-2024 |
Scam category losses
| Stat | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 853,935 reports / $2.7 billion | Imposter scams generated these reports and losses in 2023 | FTC Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book, 2023 |
| $6.57 billion | Investment fraud losses in 2024; crypto accounted for 87% of investment fraud dollar losses | FBI IC3, 2024 |
| 392,000+ reports | Online shopping fraud reports to the FTC in 2023; median loss $100 | FTC Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book, 2023 |
| $924 million | Tech support scam losses in 2023; victims 60+ accounted for 58% of reports | FBI IC3, 2023 |
| $1.4 billion | Consumer-reported cryptocurrency losses to the FTC in 2023 | FTC, 2023 |
Payment method and identity fraud exposure
| Stat | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| $14,000 | Average bank wire transfer loss per incident, the highest average loss of any payment method | FTC Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book, 2023 |
| $23 billion | Identity fraud losses including account takeover in the U.S. in 2023 | Javelin Strategy & Research, 2024 Identity Fraud Study, 2024 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total amount lost to online scams in the latest data?
Both agencies track different complaint streams, so do not add the figures. The FTC logged $12.5 billion in consumer fraud losses in 2024. The FBI IC3 recorded $16.6 billion in cybercrime losses the same year. Both totals likely undercount because many victims never report.
Which scam type causes the highest dollar losses?
Investment fraud leads on dollar losses. It caused $6.57 billion in reported losses in 2024, and crypto made up 87% of that amount. Imposter scams produced more reports but lower total losses at $2.7 billion in 2023.
How much do people lose to identity fraud?
Identity fraud losses reached $23 billion in the U.S. in 2023, including account takeover. This figure comes from Javelin Strategy & Research and uses a different methodology than FTC totals. It can exceed FTC totals because it includes broader identity theft costs.
What payment method has the highest average loss?
Bank wire transfers averaged $14,000 per incident, the highest average loss of any payment method in the FTC data. That makes wire transfer fraud especially urgent. Victims should contact their bank immediately and follow how to get money back after an AI scam.
Where should someone report an online scam?
Report the incident to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov. If you believe AI was used to impersonate someone, start with I was scammed by AI: what to do.
