A new Gallup poll released Tuesday reveals that 10 percent of US adults directly or indirectly experienced a scam last year, with significant adverse effects on their financial and emotional well-being.

The survey found that 6 percent of US adults were personally scammed in 2025, while 4 percent experienced a scam indirectly through a household member. Gallup noted that scams are a widespread problem, leaving victims more cautious, less likely to shop online, and hesitant to engage with unfamiliar businesses.

“The data suggest the cost of scams extends beyond what can be measured in dollars, as nearly three in four victims say the experience negatively affected their mental health or wellbeing,” the report stated.

Lower-income households were more likely to report being scammed than wealthier ones. Adults without a bachelor’s degree reported higher scam rates (7 percent) compared to those with a degree (4 percent). Black (8 percent) and Hispanic (9 percent) adults also reported higher victimization than white adults (5 percent), though rates did not differ by age.

In more than half of reported scams, losses were $500 or less, but the average loss was $5,578, with some scams reaching tens of thousands of dollars. Total financial losses from scams in 2025 were estimated at $68 billion, averaging $186 million stolen per day.

One in five adults in affected households reported severe financial hardship, with households earning under $80,000 annually hit harder. Emotional damage was even more widespread: 28 percent of victims said the experience had a very negative impact on their mental health, and 45 percent reported a moderately negative impact. Overall, 73 percent reported adverse effects on mental health or well-being.

The poll also indicated a much higher lifetime prevalence: 24 percent of adults have been scammed at some point, including 10 percent who have been victimized multiple times.

“At a time when institutional trust in the US is already weak, the prevalence of scams represents not just a personal financial threat, but a broader erosion of confidence in the businesses and systems used in everyday life,” the report said.

Gallup surveyed 5,173 US adults between January and February of this year.

Source: www.aljazeera.com