Scam Nation & Vanishing Kids

We’re looking at one of the fastest-growing crime problems in America: scams. From fake texts and phone calls to online attacks and fraudulent charges, scams have become a constant part of daily life for many Americans. But the data challenge a common assumption: older adults are not the only ones being targeted. Younger and lower-income Americans are often more likely to report being victimized, while many people never report scams at all because they feel embarrassed, do not know where to turn, or assume nothing can be done. We break down who is getting scammed, how much money Americans are losing, and whether the government or technology companies are doing enough to protect people. Then, we turn to family size and the growing gap between the number of children Americans say is ideal and the number they are actually having. The U.S. fertility rate has reached another historic low, even as many Americans still say two or three children is the ideal family size. Rising costs, delayed marriage, childcare concerns, and changing life priorities are all part of the picture. We look at why more adults say they may never have children, why concern about the declining birth rate is growing, and why many Americans still do not want the government involved in encouraging people to have more kids. And, for the fun fact, we explore what Americans think may happen after this life...or what happened before it!