The Three Biggest Traps

In 2025, social media scams came in three main forms. Investment scams caused the most money lost: $1.1 billion, more than half the total.^[1] They typically begin with an ad or a message from a friendly stranger offering investment advice. The platform looks professional. Early returns appear in the account. Small withdrawals work. Then larger ones do not. Romance scams were second.

Nearly 60% of people who lost money to a romance scam in 2025 said it started on social media.^[1] Shopping scams were the most commonly reported. More than 40% of people who lost money on social media said they ordered something from an ad that never arrived.^[1]