Most Americans Face Daily Scam Attempts, Yet Few Report Losses

Why it matters locally: With California's large population and significant digital economy, the prevalence of scam attempts and underreporting of losses likely presents a substantial challenge for state and local law enforcement agencies and consumer protection services operating across the state.

Most Americans encounter scam attempts on a daily basis, according to a new AP-NORC survey, with approximately 30 percent of adults reporting they have lost money or personal information to fraud schemes. Despite the prevalence of scams and significant personal losses, few victims report their experiences to law enforcement or consumer protection agencies, poll data shows. The survey identified multiple reasons victims choose not to report scams. Some adults said they felt embarrassed about falling for a scam. Others cited doubts that authorities could recover their money or take meaningful action. Certain victims said they did not know where to report the incident. Scam attempts take various forms. Respondents reported receiving fraudulent calls, text messages, and emails. Some schemes targeted financial accounts. Others sought personal information or payment for fraudulent goods and services. The AP-NORC survey questioned a representative sample of American adults about their encounters with scams and their responses to being defrauded. The poll provides insight into how widespread fraud has become in American life and how reporting gaps may prevent law enforcement from addressing the problem. Experts say underreporting creates challenges for authorities tracking fraud trends. When victims do not file complaints, agencies struggle to identify common scam patterns or target perpetrators. The data gap also makes it difficult for law enforcement to allocate resources effectively. Consumer protection officials have urged victims to report scams even when recovery seems unlikely. Reporting helps agencies build cases against repeat offenders and identifies emerging fraud schemes. The Federal Trade Commission, state attorneys general, and local police departments all accept scam reports. The survey results highlight a disconnect between victim losses and willingness to involve authorities. The reasons for underreporting vary by demographic group and type of scam, poll findings indicate, though specific breakdowns were not detailed in initial results.