191,561
Phishing and spoofing complaints received by the FBI in 2025.
Source: FBI IC3 2025 Annual Report
Phishing report · Smart Securitys
One believable email can become an expensive mistake.
Phishing messages exploit trust and urgency. A fake invoice or login page can put money, customer data, and business operations at risk. The numbers show why the inbox deserves serious attention.
Request a free security assessment →What the research shows
Three numbers worth understanding
$3.05B
Reported 2025 business email compromise losses across FBI IC3 complaints nationwide.
Source: FBI IC3 2025 Annual Report
21% vs. 5%
Phishing simulation reporting rate for recently trained users versus the base rate in Verizon’s 2025 study.
Source: Verizon 2025 DBIR
Different studies measure different kinds of events. These statistics describe broad trends and do not predict outcomes for one business.
Business impact
Why a familiar looking message is dangerous
Attackers can copy the tone and branding of a familiar sender, then ask for a payment change, password, or document review. The FBI’s complaint totals count reports made to its center; they do not count every phishing attempt. Business email compromise losses measure a different category, often involving fraudulent payment instructions. Together, these figures show why checking the sender and verifying unusual requests matters.
Your next steps
Put protection around every important request
Verify money movements
Call a known phone number before changing bank details or approving an unusual payment. Do not rely on a number inside the suspicious message.
Make accounts harder to steal
Use multifactor authentication and review account access. Report unexpected login prompts immediately.
Teach a quick response
Practice recognizing suspicious messages and make reporting easy. A fast report gives your team a chance to limit harm.
Ready when you are
Know where your email defenses stand.
Request a free security assessment to discuss phishing, account protection, and the payment workflows your business relies on.
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