US crime in 2025: violent crime fell 9.3%, but fraud did not
FBI data show record drops in US murder, robbery and car theft in 2025, yet 905,000 fraud offenses were reported. What it means for residents and travelers.
The United States recorded the largest one-year drop in violent crime in FBI records in 2025. The FBI's Reported Crimes in the Nation 2025, published in August 2026, confirms the trend seen in May's preliminary data. But the same dataset logs nearly a million fraud victims.
How much did US crime fall in 2025?
According to the FBI UCR summary, estimated changes from 2024 were:
| Offense | Change | Rate per 100,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Violent crime | -9.3% | 327.6 |
| Murder | -18.1% | 4.1 |
| Robbery | -18.5% | 49.4 |
| Aggravated assault | -7.2% | 238.0 |
| Property crime | -12.4% | 1,534.8 |
| Larceny-theft | -9.8% | 1,144.1 |
| Motor vehicle theft | -22.7% | 197.0 |
The murder rate ties 1955 and 1956 as the lowest on record, HSToday reported. Data came from 17,075 agencies covering 96.2% of the population.
What about fraud?
The FBI reports 905,038 fraud offenses with 983,088 victims in 2025 via NIBRS, without a year-on-year change. Internet fraud losses are tracked separately by IC3 and hit a record (FBI IC3 2025 report).
How reliable are the numbers?
The FBI says its figures are estimates blending two reporting systems. Experts quoted by CBS News said the drivers of the decline are still unclear. Assaults on officers hit a 10-year high, at 90,178.
How to stay safe
- Keep bags and electronics out of sight in parked cars.
- Turn on phone theft protection before you travel (settings guide).
- Watch for skimmers at gas pumps and ATMs (how to spot them).
- Government agencies never demand payment by gift card or crypto over the phone.
- Report online fraud at ic3.gov; call 911 in an emergency.
Latest alerts in the Radar.
Which crimes are most common for visitors?
Lower violence does not mean zero risk. In the FBI table, larceny-theft has by far the highest rate, at 1,144.1 per 100,000, followed by burglary and motor vehicle theft at roughly 194 and 197. NIBRS agencies alone logged 3,597,825 larceny-theft incidents and 602,820 vehicle thefts in 2025. These are mostly crimes of opportunity: bags left in a rental car, a phone on a café table, a wallet in a back pocket.
What should you do if you are a victim in the US?
- In an emergency, call 911. For a theft with no immediate danger, file a police report with local police; insurers and rental companies usually require one.
- Lock cards and accounts in your banking app and dispute unknown charges.
- For online scams, report at ic3.gov and keep receipts and messages.
- Foreign visitors who lose a passport should contact their consulate.
Travelers can find more in tourist scams.
What else is in the 2025 data?
Hate crime reports also fell: agencies reported 10,881 incidents, and the FBI's comparable trend dataset dropped 7.0%, from 11,404 in 2024 to 10,606 in 2025, according to HSToday. The FBI also warns that its 2021 estimates fell below the level needed to be nationally representative, so long-term comparisons that use that year should be read with care.
来源
- FBI UCR — Summary of Reported Crimes in the Nation 2025
- Homeland Security Today — FBI releases 2025 crime data
- CBS News — FBI crime data: murder rate, assaults on officers