The latest Gallup survey estimating the financial toll of scams in the U.S. at a jaw-dropping $68 billion in 2025 should have everyone paying attention—especially the mainstream media. But what do we see? A blatant failure to dig deeper into how this staggering figure reflects our deteriorating trust in institutions. Networks like CNN and MSNBC will trot out the numbers, but they’ll focus on the victims—often ignoring how many of these scams are perpetuated by the very people we trust to keep us safe.

Look, the financial elite and tech giants like Meta and Google are exploiting the chaos. Instead of addressing systemic issues, the media will drown us in stories about individual tragedies without holding anyone accountable. They’d rather scare you with sad tales than get to the heart of why fraud is skyrocketing: because they profit on our ignorance. Just ask Fox News—while they may sensationalize the predators, they steer clear of questioning the predatory systems that allow these scams to thrive.

This isn’t just a matter of personal responsibility; it’s a reflection of a system designed to keep us divided and distracted. The public deserves transparency, not fear-mongering. By highlighting individual stories, CNN or ABC spins a narrative that you’re just one click away from becoming the next victim. It’s time we start demanding accountability from both the scammers and the enabling media.