{
  "id": 5083830,
  "title": "What to know about the AP/FRONTLINE investigation into scam victims",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/what-to-know-about-the-ap-frontline-investigation-into-scam-victims-5083830",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-02T12:23:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Associated Press",
    "slug": "associated-press",
    "url": "https://apnews.com/article/scams-online-scams-ai-internet-safety-phishing-fraud-takeaways-b1350fd421cce73ac585a649b07332d5"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Associated Press and FRONTLINE investigation reveals that scam victims in the U.S. are facing significant difficulties in recovering their losses. According to the investigation, a record $15.9 billion in losses were reported to the Federal Trade Commission in 2024, a 25% increase from the previous year. Real losses in 2024 were estimated to be close to $200 billion, with victims losing money or personal information to scams every day. Despite efforts by the Trump administration and Congress, victims have limited recourse. The investigation interviewed 58 victims aged 32 to 90, with losses ranging from several thousand dollars to $4 million each. Nearly all Americans (98%) suspect they have been targeted by scam messages, and three in ten have personally lost money or information to scams. Many victims contemplated or attempted suicide due to the trauma. Only one victim recovered money from her bank. The IRS often demands that retirees pay taxes on funds they withdrew from tax-deferred accounts, even after being scammed, as personal losses from many common scams are not eligible for tax breaks under a provision of the Trump administration’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Additionally, some victims are penalized by banks that freeze or cancel their accounts and demand repayment for loans and legal fees. The U.S. lags behind several other countries in consumer protection, with the UK reimbursing clients tricked into sending money to scammers and the EU rolling out new rules for financial institutions. Australia, Singapore, and other countries have implemented stricter measures to protect consumers from scams.",
  "summary": "Scams in the U.S. have surged to a record high, and most people have been targeted. Americans reported a record $15.9 billion in losses last year to the Federal Trade Commission — a 25% increase from 2024, and likely…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "What to know about the AP/FRONTLINE investigation into scam victims",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/what-to-know-about-the-ap-frontline-investigation-into-scam-victims",
        "published": "2026-09-02T12:11:55.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}