Social media scams are costing Americans billions—How to protect yourself

Social media scams are costing Americans billions – here’s how to protect yourself If you use Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or any other social platform, you’ve probably seen suspicious messages or too-good-to-be-true offers. They’re not just annoying—they’re increasingly expensive. According to the Federal Trade Commission, older adults alone lost $2.4 billion to scams in 2024, and social media has become the single most common contact method for fraudsters. That trend shows no sign of slowing. Here’s what you need to know about the most common social media scams right now and how to keep your money and identity safe. ...

May 2, 2026 · 4 min · BriefArc Desk