# Americans lose billions to scams yearly

> New law aims to help scam victims recover stolen money.
- Title: Americans lose billions to scams yearly · Straight Arrow
- Summary: New law aims to help scam victims recover stolen money. Congress passes ReportScams.gov Act to create centralized scam reporting portal for victims.
- Keywords: congress, money, united states secret service, federal trade commission, fraud, fbi, scams, gallup poll, news, politics, world, Americans
- Source: Straight Arrow — https://san.com/cc/americans-are-scammed-out-of-billions-every-year-but-many-never-get-a-dime-back-that-could-soon-change
- Published: 2026-10-27T17:21:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: congress, money, united states secret service, federal trade commission, fraud, fbi, scams, gallup poll, news, politics, world
## Scam losses hit billions
Americans lost more than $260 billion to fraud last year alone.
## Recovery efforts lag
FTC returned $1.83 billion in fraud relief in fiscal year 2025.
## FBI returns less
FBI returned more than $336 million to scam victims in 2025.
## Scam victims report gaps
75% of scam victims didn’t report losses because they didn’t think it would help recover money.
## Gallup finds government ineffective
82% of American adults say government isn’t doing enough to prevent scams.
## ReportScams.gov Act proposed
Congress passes bipartisan ReportScams.gov Act to create centralized scam reporting portal.
## Scam networks operate globally
Scammers exploit gaps between public and private sector entities across borders.
## Need for unified strategy
U.S. lacks coherent whole-of-government strategy to combat scams.
## Next steps for victims
Centralized portal helps victims report scams and seek financial recovery.
## Key takeaway

Congress passes ReportScams.gov Act to create centralized scam reporting portal for victims.