Article
What History Tells Us About Fraud + Economic Pressure [Infographic]
Laura Fitzgerald
August 8, 2025 (UPDATED ON August 8, 2025)
2 minutes read time
Economic downturns do more than disrupt markets. They open the door for opportunistic fraud. Historical precedent shows this clear pattern: when financial instability hits, fraud rates can spike. This uncertainty creates the perfect storm for fraudsters, allowing them to exploit system vulnerabilities. This infographic explores that link between market disruption and fraud rates, revealing the consequences we can’t afford to ignore.
Historical trends
Looking to past economic turmoil can help us prepare for an uncertain future. Data from Professor Mark Button at the University of Portsmouth reveals:
Early 1980s: 5.6% increase in fraud in the wake of a 3% fall in GDP
1990s: 9.9% increase in fraud in the wake of a 1.7% fall in GDP
2008: 7.3% increase in fraud in the wake of a 2.1% fall in GDP
As economic instability looms over 2025 and the years to come, understanding past fraud trends is essential. Preparing for a surge now—before the economy dips—can help mitigate significant losses and reputation damage in the future.
Types of fraud that may define this period
Pindrop predicts that Gen AI-backed scams will dominate 2025’s fraud landscape. Fraudsters are using generative AI to scale their deception rapidly, in some cases deploying highly realistic deepfakes intent on manipulating and exploiting trust.
Invest in security
Stay ahead of this new wave of scams. With Pindrop® Pulse for contact centers and meetings, highly accurate analysis detects deepfakes early, helping protect businesses before they incur hefty fraud losses. Pindrop® Pulse was independently verified by NPR and emerged as a leader in deepfake detection with an unmatched 96.4% accuracy rate in identifying AI-generated audio. By integrating seamlessly with your contact center software or within video conferencing platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Webex, Pindrop® Pulse delivers real-time analysis of interactions, quickly alerting your organization to identified AI impersonations.
Take steps to proactively defend your organization today: