Fact-check · Oct 21, 2026
“Almost three quarters of American adults have been subjected to Internet scams of cyber attacks”
TRUE
What the record shows
Pew Research Center survey (April 2025) found 73% of U.S. adults have experienced online scams or cyber attacks; Consumer Reports survey (spring 2026) found 91% encountered at least one cyberattack or scam attempt.
The claim of 'almost three quarters' matches Pew's 73% figure from a nationally representative survey of 9,397 adults. A more recent Consumer Reports survey shows even higher prevalence at 91%.
Sources
- Online Scams and Attacks in America Today
- Pew Research Center on X: "73% of U.S. adults have experienced some kind of online scam or attack, like credit card fraud, ransomware or online shopping scams. While Americans see older adults as more vulnerable, these crimes are common across age groups." / X
- American Trends Panel Wave 168
- 73% of U.S. adults have been hit with online scams and other fraud
- Scams are part of everyday American life - Innovation at Consumer Reports
- FOR RELEASE JULY 31, 2025 Online Scams and Attacks in America Today
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