Georgia Attorney General: scams demand a new consumer protection strategy

In 2025, consumers reported losing nearly $16 billion to fraud and scams, marking a 25% increase from the prior year. These losses extend beyond mere dollars, affecting retirement savings, family finances, small businesses, and eroding trust in the economy. As Georgia's Attorney General, safeguarding consumers is a top priority.

The office investigates fraud, prosecutes offenders, and educates Georgians to avoid becoming victims. However, financial crime has advanced faster than policy. Traditional fraud involves unauthorized transactions with stolen credentials, while scams present a different challenge, often requiring a new approach.

Imposter scams, which rose by nearly 100% in 2025, are particularly concerning. Criminals impersonate trusted entities, using social media, text messages, phone calls, dating websites, fake investment opportunities, and phishing emails to manipulate victims into sending money. Many scams begin online or via text, posing as legitimate transactions. In Georgia, cryptocurrency investment scams, government impersonation, romance scams, and business email compromise are growing threats.

The solution lies in a coordinated, multi-faceted strategy. Public debate often focuses on the final stage of a scam, but opportunities to prevent crimes exist throughout the process. From deceptive advertisements to suspicious accounts, each stage presents a chance to intervene. Collaboration among various sectors—attorneys general, federal agencies, technology companies, financial institutions, and law enforcement—is crucial. By sharing knowledge and resources, they can protect consumers before losses occur.

Education plays a vital role. Informing consumers about scams can help them recognize and avoid fraudulent attempts. Georgia has initiated community outreach, visiting seniors, retirement groups, and industry associations to share scam prevention tips. Guides have been developed for older adults, small businesses, and military families to protect their finances. However, improved threat intelligence sharing among sectors is essential to stay ahead of evolving scam tactics.

Law enforcement must also receive adequate resources to tackle sophisticated criminal organizations. Strengthening state and local cybercrime units can help dismantle large-scale networks, intercept funds, and assist victims. The goal of modern consumer protection should be to prevent harm before it occurs, not just recover losses after a scam.

Success will be measured by the number of people who remain scam-free. This coordinated approach, involving government, industry, and law enforcement, can effectively combat the evolving threat of scams.