$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
DNA data selling scam
Unscrupulous DNA testing companies or data brokers harvest and sell consumers' genetic data to third parties — including insurers and advertisers — without informed consent.
“DNA test scam”
↑ 15.3%Key indicators
Usually targetsGenealogy enthusiasts
Often hitsTech workers and developers
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$640
median reported loss
Typical range$40 – $4.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
Consumers submit DNA samples to testing companies that bury broad data-sharing permissions in their terms of service.
2
Genetic data is sold or shared with pharmaceutical companies, insurers, data brokers, or advertisers.
3
Consumers have no practical way to reclaim or delete their biological data once it has been shared.
What to do first
Read the full privacy policy and data-sharing terms before submitting DNA to any testing service.
Related terms
genetic data resaleDNA privacy breachgenomic data exploitationDNA and ancestry scamsWebsiteRisingGenealogy enthusiastsHealth-conscious consumersFamiliesTech workers and developersParents and familiesOnline shoppersUnited StatesUnited KingdomCanadagenetic data resaleDNA privacy breach
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Ahmed, 35, a genealogy enthusiasts, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate dna and ancestry scams situation while using Website. Consumers submit DNA samples to testing companies that bury broad data-sharing permissions in their terms of service.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: Genetic data is sold or shared with pharmaceutical companies, insurers, data brokers, or advertisers.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Consumers have no practical way to reclaim or delete their biological data once it has been shared.
The outcome
Ahmed realized something was wrong when the company's privacy policy allows sharing data with unnamed third parties. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Read the full privacy policy and data-sharing terms before submitting DNA to any testing service. Ahmed's experience shows why the company's privacy policy allows sharing data with unnamed third parties and opt-out settings are pre-checked to allow data sharing during signup are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- The company's privacy policy allows sharing data with unnamed third parties
- Opt-out settings are pre-checked to allow data sharing during signup
- The company has no clear data deletion policy or ignores deletion requests
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Read the full privacy policy and data-sharing terms before submitting DNA to any testing service.
- ✓Opt out of all data-sharing and research participation options during account setup.
- ✓Request data deletion from the company in writing and follow up if they do not comply within 30 days.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The 23andMe bankruptcy filing in 2024 raised widespread concerns about the fate of genetic data from over 15 million customers, highlighting the risks of DNA data in commercial hands.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Read the full privacy policy and data-sharing terms before submitting DNA to any testing service.
- ✓Opt out of all data-sharing and research participation options during account setup.
- ✓Request data deletion from the company in writing and follow up if they do not comply within 30 days.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The 23andMe bankruptcy filing in 2024 raised widespread concerns about the fate of genetic data from over 15 million customers, highlighting the risks of DNA data in commercial hands.
OpenScam research
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Genealogy enthusiasts, Health-conscious consumers, Families
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Canada
Primary channel
Website — DNA and ancestry scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Genealogy enthusiasts are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The growing number of reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The 23andMe bankruptcy filing in 2024 raised widespread concerns about the fate of genetic data from over 15 million customers, highlighting the risks of DNA data in commercial hands.
Source notes
- OpenScam research
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about dna data selling scam
How does the dna data selling scam work?+
Consumers submit DNA samples to testing companies that bury broad data-sharing permissions in their terms of service. Genetic data is sold or shared with pharmaceutical companies, insurers, data brokers, or advertisers. Consumers have no practical way to reclaim or delete their biological data once it has been shared.
What are the warning signs of dna data selling scam?+
The company's privacy policy allows sharing data with unnamed third parties Opt-out settings are pre-checked to allow data sharing during signup The company has no clear data deletion policy or ignores deletion requests
What should I do if I encounter dna data selling scam?+
Read the full privacy policy and data-sharing terms before submitting DNA to any testing service. Opt out of all data-sharing and research participation options during account setup. Request data deletion from the company in writing and follow up if they do not comply within 30 days.
Who is most at risk for dna data selling scam?+
This scam primarily targets Genealogy enthusiasts, Health-conscious consumers, Families. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Canada and typically appears on Website.
Is dna data selling scam on the rise?+
DNA data selling scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US, UK, CA. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.
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