A new survey from Truecaller, the global platform for safe communication, reveals that AI-powered scams are severely impacting how Americans communicate. The 2026 Phone Fraud & AI Threat Survey found that 80% of respondents have ignored important calls or texts out of fear they were scams, a sharp increase from 59% in 2024. This avoidance is not without consequences: for the 33% who rely heavily on calls and texts for work, missing communications from doctors, schools, clients, and family members has real professional and personal implications.
The survey, conducted among 1,614 U.S. adults, shows that 75% of respondents were targeted by a scam call or text in the past year, and 84% are more concerned about the threat now than a year ago. AI is a key driver of this anxiety, with 30% of respondents receiving a deepfake voice call impersonating a trusted figure. These scams are not just hypothetical; they are causing financial harm. One in four respondents lost money to a scam in the past year, with 7% losing over $250. Among those who lost money, 53% had received a deepfake voice call, compared to only 22% of those who did not lose money.
The financial toll is compounded by a lack of preparedness. Half of respondents admitted they would not know how to protect their identity or recover lost funds if targeted. Trust in institutional safeguards is also low: 75% said the U.S. government is not adequately protecting consumers from AI-driven scams, and 39% said recent regulatory changes have undermined their confidence. Despite this, 63% of respondents do not use any third-party app beyond their carrier's built-in tools to block scam calls or texts.
Clayton LiaBraaten, senior executive advisor at Truecaller, described the situation as a 'full-blown communication paralysis crisis.' He emphasized that as AI makes scams more convincing, default tools are insufficient. Truecaller, used by over 500 million users worldwide, recommends using trusted caller ID apps, never sharing sensitive information over the phone, and verifying caller identities. More information is available at www.truecaller.com.
The survey findings underscore a critical need for enhanced protective measures as AI-driven scams erode trust in everyday communication. Additional data can be found at Truecaller Insights.
