Losses are large relative to the number of reports
In the FTC's 2023 summary, romance scams had fewer reports than business- or government-imposter scams. But they had the highest middle reported loss per person (median) among imposter-scam types.
The $1.14 billion is the total loss that people reported to the Consumer Sentinel Network. It is not an estimate of every dollar lost nationwide.
Reported data usually understates the full problem
Some victims never report, may not recognize the fraud, or may report through channels that do not reach the same database. Conversely, a report is an allegation and not automatically a criminal conviction.
That is why the page says reported losses and report counts every time the number appears.
Dating apps are one path, not the only path
FTC guidance says scammers create fake dating profiles, but many reported contacts begin on social media. In the agency’s 2022 analysis, 40% of loss reports with origin information started on social media and 19% on a website or app.
Moving quickly to an encrypted messaging service, refusing to meet, and asking for money or investment help are more useful warning signs than assuming every scam begins inside a dating product.
What full group does each percentage or rate use?
| Measure | Value | Reference period |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer Sentinel reports | 64,003 | 2023 |
| Total reported losses | $1.14 billion | 2023 |
| Middle reported loss per person (median) | $2,000 | 2023 |
| Loss reports that began on social media | 40% | 2022 reports with origin information |
| Loss reports that began on a website or app | 19% | 2022 reports with origin information |
What does “denominator” mean? The denominator is the whole group used to calculate a percentage or rate.
How to read it: FTC figures describe reports received and reported losses, not every incident or dollar lost nationwide.
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