Nearly three-quarters of individuals in the United States who experienced scams in 2025 reported adverse effects on their mental health and overall wellbeing, according to a new Gallup poll released on Tuesday. The survey highlights that the emotional and psychological toll of fraudulent activities extends significantly beyond financial losses.

The Gallup report underscores that scams are a pervasive issue across the nation, affecting a substantial portion of the adult population. In 2025, an estimated 6 percent of US adults were personally targeted by scams, while an additional 4 percent were indirectly affected through a household member. This widespread nature means the impacts are felt by a broad segment of society.

Beyond the financial strain, the emotional damage from scams is extensive. The poll indicated that 28 percent of adults in households affected by scams described the experience as having a "very negative" impact on their mental health. An additional 45 percent characterized the impact as "moderately negative," bringing the total to 73 percent reporting some level of negative mental health consequences.

The implications of these findings suggest that the true cost of scams is multifaceted, encompassing not only monetary theft but also significant psychological distress. This can lead to increased wariness, reduced online shopping activity, and a general hesitancy to engage with unknown businesses, impacting both individual behavior and the broader economy.

The poll also shed light on demographic disparities in scam victimization. Individuals from lower-income households were more likely to report being scammed compared to wealthier individuals. Similarly, adults with less than a bachelor's degree were more susceptible than those with higher education. Racial and ethnic differences were also noted, with Black and Hispanic adults reporting higher rates of victimization than white adults.

While age did not appear to be a significant factor in victimization rates, the financial impact varied. In over half of the reported scams, victims lost $500 or less. However, the average loss per scam was considerably higher, reaching $5,578, with some individual losses escalating into the tens of thousands of dollars. The cumulative financial toll for 2025 was estimated at $68 billion.

Financial hardship was a severe consequence for many, with one in five adults who were personally victimized or lived in a household affected by scams reporting severe financial strain. This hardship disproportionately affected households earning less than $80,000 annually, further exacerbating existing economic vulnerabilities.

The emotional toll was found to be pervasive, even among those who lived with someone who had been scammed but were not directly targeted themselves. This indicates a ripple effect of distress within families and close social circles, underscoring the widespread and deeply personal nature of scam-related trauma.