Maine Insights Newsmagazine

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By Kathryn Carley

Jul 29, 2026

A recent AP-NORC poll found 58% of adults receive a suspected scam attempt daily, with more people encountering scams on Facebook than on any other platform. (Adobe Stock)

Online scams and other crimes against Mainers skyrocketed last year after the Trump administration cut the budget for consumer and financial protections in half.

A new report from the Consumer Federation of America shows Maine lost roughly $400 million, or more than $280 per person, with more than half of reported losses involving cryptocurrency.

Ben Winters, director of AI and privacy for the federation, said a scam economy is thriving online and tech companies like Meta are profiting.

“We’re at a circumstance where there is not enough enforcement, there is not enough wins against these scammers and there is all these tools that are making it easier and easier that are not getting shut down or prohibited,” Winters outlined.

The vast majority of scam attempts occur on social media platforms via a direct message. Winters argued the crisis requires bold action by the federal government to hold tech companies accountable and better educate the public regarding online scams and safety.

Federal legislation introduced as the SCAM Act aims to address the problem. The bill would ban paid scam ads online and require real advertiser verification and strict timelines for tech companies to investigate and remove fraudulent ads. It would also empower the Federal Trade Commission and states with greater enforcement abilities.

Winters noted AI-generated content is becoming easier to make and harder to detect. Winters advised people to think twice before clicking on any ad or link involving a financial transaction.

“Make sure to always pause when someone is asking you to do something quickly, to wire money quickly, to do something that seems a little bit off,” Winters recommended. “You can always hang up. You can always wait before you respond to an email or a message.”

Adults age 60 and over remain the largest targeted demographic for scams. Reported losses have increased more than 60% since 2025, with the average scam costing people more than $38,000.

Winters stressed it is important for victims of internet crime to contact the state attorney general or local police, adding there is no shame in falling victim to a scam but it is good to talk about it so others can be made aware.