This bill supports designating May 14, 2026, as "National Scam Survivor Day" to raise awareness about the growing threat of scams and encourage prevention efforts.
Bryan Steil
Representative
WI-1
This bill supports the designation of May 14, 2026, as "National Scam Survivor Day" to recognize the growing threat of scams across the United States. It highlights the significant financial losses and the increasing sophistication of fraud targeting all age groups. The legislation encourages greater public awareness, improved prevention resources, and stronger law enforcement efforts to combat scam operations. Ultimately, it calls for a collaborative approach to support survivors and prevent future victimization.
New Resolution Pushes for 'National Scam Survivor Day' on May 14, 2026, Citing Billions in Losses
Alright, let's talk about something that hits close to home for pretty much everyone: scams. This new resolution isn't about creating a new law with a ton of rules, but it's a big shout-out to a problem that's costing Americans serious cash and peace of mind. It's pushing to officially designate May 14, 2026, as 'National Scam Survivor Day.' Why? Because the numbers are frankly wild, and they're only getting worse.
The Scam Epidemic: What the Numbers Say
This resolution lays out some pretty stark facts from 2024 and 2025 that should make anyone sit up and take notice. For starters, nearly 44% of all scam reports in 2024 ended up with someone losing money, and the average loss jumped by a whopping 30%. In 2025, the Federal Trade Commission saw about 3 million fraud complaints, which is 400,000 more than the year before. And get this: total losses in 2024 blew past $195 billion—that's a $35 billion increase from the previous year. It's not just pocket change; it's significant money that could be going towards mortgages, groceries, or saving for college.
New Tricks, Old Targets: How Scammers Are Evolving
Scammers aren't just sticking to the old Nigerian prince emails anymore. They're getting sophisticated, and this resolution flags some key trends. Social media is now a hotbed, with nearly 13% of successful scams starting there. Cryptocurrency scams are also booming, racking up over $11 billion in losses in 2025 alone. Even small businesses are getting hit with fake invoices or people pretending to be government officials. And the really unsettling part? Scammers are now using Artificial Intelligence to create fake audio or video, making it even harder to tell what's real. This means that email from your 'boss' or that urgent call from your 'grandchild' might not be who you think it is.
Who's Getting Hit Hardest?
The resolution highlights that while everyone is at risk, some groups are particularly targeted. Veterans, for instance, lost $584 million in 2024, often to folks impersonating VA officials or healthcare providers. Our seniors are still major targets, with 75% of those aged 50 to 80 experiencing a scam attempt between 2021 and 2023, and 30% falling victim. But here's a twist: young adults are now losing more money to scams than any other age group, often through bogus job offers, investment opportunities, or fake checks. So, whether you're just starting your career, running a business, or enjoying retirement, these scams are designed to hit where it hurts.
The Big Picture: Why 'National Scam Survivor Day'?
So, what's the point of this designation? It's about shining a huge spotlight on this problem. The resolution argues for a greater need for awareness, giving regular folks and business owners the tools to avoid these traps. It also pushes for better use of federal resources to identify and fight scams, and stronger support for law enforcement to track down and stop these operations. Ultimately, it’s a call for everyone—government, private companies, and non-profits—to team up, support those who've been scammed, and prevent future incidents. It's about making sure we all know what to look out for and how to protect our hard-earned money.