PYMNTS Report: 53% of Scam Victims Recover Funds After Alerting Their Bank

A report commissioned by Block and produced by PYMNTS Intelligence surveyed 15,110 U.S. consumers from September 9 to 22, 2025. It found that 19% of respondents had encountered a scam in the past five years. Median household losses from investment scams reached $3,184, highlighting how fraud causes financial harm and undermines consumers' trust in and willingness to engage with banks.

In its latest findings published on March 23, 2026, PYMNTS said 53% of victims who reported a scam to their bank or credit union recovered most or all of their money, compared with just 12% of those who did not report it. Overall, 77% of victims filed a report. Nearly two-thirds paid within 24 hours of first interacting with the scammer; 59% transferred money directly, while 41% had funds stolen after surrendering account information. The findings underscore the importance of prompt reporting in preventing losses.