Government Strategy Needed to Counter Consumer Scams

GAO Reports

Published March 25th, 2026

Detected March 26th, 2026

Summary

The GAO has issued a report highlighting the need for a government-wide strategy to counter consumer scams, noting that 13 federal agencies operate independently without a coordinated approach. The report also identifies limitations in current complaint reporting and data collection, preventing a comprehensive estimate of scam numbers and financial losses.

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What changed

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released a report and testimony emphasizing the lack of a unified government strategy to combat consumer scams. The report indicates that at least 13 federal agencies are involved in scam-related activities but operate independently, with no overarching strategy to guide their efforts. GAO previously recommended that the FBI lead the development and implementation of such a strategy, a recommendation the FBI is now addressing. Furthermore, the report highlights significant data limitations, including the absence of a common definition for scams and a lack of consolidated reporting, which prevent the government from accurately estimating the total number of scam complaints and associated financial losses.

This GAO report underscores critical gaps in federal efforts to protect consumers from scams. The lack of coordination and standardized data collection means that the full scale of the problem remains unknown, hindering effective policy development and consumer education. Regulated entities, particularly those in financial services and consumer-facing sectors, should be aware that increased federal coordination and potentially new reporting requirements could emerge as agencies work towards developing a unified strategy. While this notice itself does not impose new direct obligations, it signals a significant area of focus for federal consumer protection agencies, suggesting a future need for enhanced compliance and reporting measures.

What to do next

Review GAO report GAO-25-107088 for detailed recommendations
Monitor actions by CFPB, FBI, and FTC regarding scam definition and data harmonization

Source document (simplified)

GAO-26-109023 Published: Mar 25, 2026. Publicly Released: Mar 25, 2026.

Fast Facts

We testified on federal efforts to counter scams before the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee.

The statement is based primarily on the following report:

CONSUMER PROTECTION: Actions Needed to Improve Complaint Reporting, Consumer Education, and Federal Coordination to Counter Scams

Additionally, the statement discusses responses to recommendations we previously made to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Trade Commission. We are monitoring their implementation.

The U.S. Capitol Building with the text GAO Testimony to Congress.

Highlights

What GAO Found

Scams occur in a variety of forms and are a growing risk to consumers.

Examples of a Scam Execution Process

Note: Other types of contact methods, scams, and payment methods exist.

At least 13 federal agencies engage in a range of activities related to countering scams. The agency activities cover a spectrum of roles intended to prevent, detect, and respond to scams. However, each agency largely carries out these activities independently. None of the 13 federal agencies that GAO spoke with were aware of a government-wide strategy to guide efforts to combat scams, nor did GAO independently identify such a strategy. In its April 2025 report, GAO recommended that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) lead a federal effort, in collaboration with other agencies, to develop and implement a government-wide strategy to counter scams and coordinate related activities. The FBI recently outlined actions to address this recommendation.

The Consumer Protection Financial Bureau (CFPB), FBI, and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) collect and report on consumer complaints both directly and from other agencies. Data limitations prevent agencies from determining a total number of scam complaints and financial losses. Accordingly, there is no single, government-wide estimate of the total number of scams and financial losses. Similarly, federal agencies have not produced a common, government-wide definition of scams. A government-wide estimate would capture the scale of scams, and a common definition is necessary for producing such an estimate and for developing a government-wide strategy.

In its April 2025 report, GAO made separate recommendations to CFPB, FBI, and FTC to (1) develop a common definition of scams, (2) harmonize data collection, (3) report an estimate of the number of scam complaints each receives and (4) produce a single, government-wide estimate of the number of consumers affected by scams. In a recent update, the FBI and FTC outlined various concerns with these recommendations, such as differing authorities and mandates among agencies. However, GAO maintains that these recommendations remain valid. In October 2025, CFPB stated that it will monitor FBI and FTC actions before determining if any actions of its own are warranted.

Why GAO Did This Study

Scams, a method of committing fraud, involve the use of deception or manipulation intended to achieve financial gain. Scams often cause individual victims to lose large sums—in some cases their entire life savings. Federal agencies such as the FBI and FTC have responsibilities that include preventing and responding to scams against Americans.

This statement discusses (1) federal agencies’ activities to prevent and respond to scams and the need for a comprehensive, government-wide strategy to guide their efforts and (2) federal agencies’ activities to compile scam-related consumer-complaint data and estimate the total number of scams and related financial losses. It also provides updates on the status of 3 agencies’ actions to address applicable recommendations.

This statement is based on GAO’s April 2025 report on federal efforts to combat scams (GAO-25-107088). For that report, GAO analyzed publicly available information (including prior GAO reports) and relevant agency documents. GAO also interviewed officials from 13 different federal agencies involved in countering scams.

Recommendations

In April 2025 GAO made 16 total recommendations to CFPB, FBI, and FTC. The FBI disagreed with three recommendations, including those related to the development of a government-wide estimate and a definition of scams. FTC neither agreed nor disagreed with the five recommendations made to it. CFPB did not respond with comments. The agencies’ responses to certain recommendations are discussed in this statement.

Full Report

View Full Report Online

Highlights Page (1 page)

Full Report (23 pages)

GAO Contacts

Seto J. Bagdoyan Director Forensic Audits and Investigative Service bagdoyans@gao.gov

Media Inquiries

Sarah Kaczmarek Managing Director Office of Public Affairs media@gao.gov

Public Inquiries

Topics

Business Regulation and Consumer Protection Federal agencies Consumer complaints Consumers Elderly persons Crime Law enforcement Consumer protection Consumer fraud Data collection Criminal investigations