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First-of-Its-Kind Task Force on Fraud and Scam Prevention Unveils National Strategy to Combat Scams and Protect America

Washington, DC, September 30, 2025 — Today, the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program’s National Task Force on Fraud and Scam Prevention released United We Stand: A National Strategy to Prevent Scams, the first coordinated plan to combat fraud and protect Americans from the $158 billion in scam losses we see each year. This report was developed with contributions from more than 300 experts across the Task Force’s 80+ member organizations, representing some of the most prominent companies in the financial services, technology, and telecommunications industries, as well as public servants, law enforcement, and consumer advocacy groups.

Scams are a pervasive threat to Americans. About 50 million Americans, or 1 in 5 U.S. adults, have lost money to an online scam. These scammers use stolen money from hardworking Americans to fund organized crime, human trafficking, and even adversaries such as North Korean hackers and Russian syndicates. Research shows that scams now rival the illicit drug trade in scale and are growing at alarming speed. Despite this, the United States has yet to devise a coordinated national plan to prevent scams.

This blueprint for a national strategy aims to fill that gap, proposing a whole-of-society response to address this issue, grounded in bold federal leadership and coordinated action from critical industries—including telecommunications, social media, financial services, digital platforms, and others—working alongside law enforcement and consumer advocates. This strategy aims to deter criminals, disrupt scams in real time, and restore consumer trust in America’s financial, digital, and communications systems.

“Scams are not just a financial problem—they are a national security threat,” said Kate Griffin, Director, National Task Force on Fraud and Scam Prevention. “Aspen FSP is proud to have convened the Task Force and developed a national strategy that reflects the type of cross-sector collaboration needed to address this crisis. Together, we can restore trust for American households and security for our nation.”

Over the past year, members participated in cross-sector working groups, lent their expertise through consultations, and examined scams from every angle to help shape this report. The report’s most urgent recommendations include:

  • Congress and the White House should declare scam prevention a national priority.
  • Companies should work to strengthen system defenses and bolster information sharing across sectors.
  • Law enforcement should expand capabilities to recover assets, expand anti-scam intelligence capabilities, and coordinate across jurisdictions.

This report provides a tangible blueprint for both immediate and longer-term action. While companies already invest millions of dollars to prevent fraud and scams, the problem cannot be solved by one institution alone. Building on recent policy momentum, Aspen FSP will continue convening stakeholders to drive implementation, including through a letter to Congress urging a whole-of-government approach to this issue.

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About the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program (Aspen FSP)

The Aspen Institute Financial Security Program’s mission is to illuminate and solve the most critical financial challenges facing American households and to make financial security for all a top national priority. We aim for nothing less than a more inclusive economy with reduced wealth inequality and shared prosperity. We believe that transformational change requires innovation, trust, leadership, and entrepreneurial thinking. Aspen FSP galvanizes a diverse set of leaders across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to solve the most critical financial challenges. We do this through deep, deliberate private and public dialogues and by elevating evidence-based research and solutions that will strengthen the financial health and security of financially vulnerable Americans. To learn more, visit AspenFSP.org, join our mailing list at http://bit.ly/fspnewsletter, and follow The Aspen Institute Financial Security Program on LinkedIn.

About the Aspen Institute

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership and action to help solve society’s greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has a campus in Aspen, CO, as well as an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.

Contact: Jon Purves
Media Relations Director
Aspen Institute
jon.purves@aspeninstitute.org