Scams Targeting Seniors Aren’t Going Away Soon.

Fraudsters aren’t backing down or packing up, not when scams targeting seniors are doing so well for them. How lucrative are scams that exclusively target seniors? You’ll be shocked at the numbers.

Scams reported to the Federal Trade Commission by those over 60 totaled $2.4 billion in 2024. The losses reported in 2023 were $1.9 billion, so the scammers had improved their craft and lined their pockets by more than 25%.

In their annual report to Congress, the FTC explained that the lion’s share of that increase—amounting to around $1.6 billion —came from a jump in successful scams that stole more than $100,000 from older victims.

Scams targeting seniors pay off for thieves.

In other words, the scammers were getting more bang for their buck—or actually, for bucks for their bang.

The targeting, persuasive, and deceptive methods were taking even more money away from their victims.

The FBI released similar data revealing that in 2024, adults aged 60 and older reported losses to fraud totaling more than $7.7 billion. They highlighted in their report that the number was a “massive increase” compared with previous years.

A Wall Street Journal article on scams targeting seniors in April 2026 quoted a former FBI employee on the topic. He boiled it down to the traits of seniors living in the U.S. that make them attractive to cybercriminals worldwide. “Older Americans,” he explained, “are being earmarked because of their emotional vulnerability and because they are not as digitally savvy as younger generations.

For all these reasons, scams targeting seniors—specifically investment, romance, and impostor scams — tripled from 2020 to 2025.

Are you a scam victim? Here’s where to report each type of scam.

The four scams targeting seniors

The following scams are the top ones that steal the most money from those in their sixties, seventies, eighties, and up.

1. Investment scams. Using the lure of quick, massive riches and unique opportunities such as cryptocurrency and romance, scammers can easily steal their victims’ life savings. Today’s scammers use artificial intelligence and social media to make everything seem 100% real and legitimate. Stories of seniors losing all their life savings, $800,000 and more, are not uncommon. 
2. Government imposter scams. These are highly successful scams because they typically use scare tactics against vulnerable seniors that threaten legal action or arrest! Many seniors are rule followers and typically respect authority. So, by impersonating someone who typically garners respect, such as a Social Security examiner, a scammer finds an easy way to begin a conversation with a target.
3. Romance scams. Adolescent boys may be love-struck easily, but they have nothing on many men who are divorced or widowed…and wealthy. Many seniors find their way to Facebook and dating apps, which immediately makes them targets. There’s even a special brand of combo romance/investment scam against the elderly called pig butchering, where the criminals heartlessly steal as much as they can from a beleaguered victim, leaving them penniless, before ghosting them. 
4. Tech-support scams. This type of scam is a one-two punch to its victims. A scammer first displays a scary but fake pop-up ad on a target’s computer, claiming a virus has been detected. When the target calls the number on the ad for tech support, the scam unfolds. Not only is there a charge for the unnecessary computer service, but the scammer also gains remote access to the computer and will infiltrate the victim’s accounts over time, stealing money and information.   

Scammers like to target people of all ages, but especially seniors.

Scammers don’t discriminate. They target all age groups and have schemes and scams designed for each group’s likes, interests, income, and weaknesses. In fact, statistics show that consumers under 30 are more likely to report fraud than those twice their age, but the amounts they lose to scams are much lower.

Here’s what makes scammers an appealing target group for cyber criminals:

• The older generation tends to be friendly and more trustworthy.
• Many 75 and older become isolated and long for connection.
• A good majority of seniors have accumulated wealth through investments, real estate, pensions, and insurance benefits.

The FTC has stepped into the fight against fraud.

FTC issues a formal report to Congress each year called the “Agency’s Actions to Protect Older Adults.” The 2025 report highlighted a dramatic increase in the number of older adults reporting losses of over $100,000 to scams. “The FTC is doing everything possible to protect older adults and shut down illegal scams,” said Christopher Mufarrige, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Our efforts show our commitment to protecting older Americans from scams that rob them of their hard-earned money.”

Consumers can learn more about fraud and scam solutions at consumer.ftc.gov. Victims of cybercrimes can report fraud, scams, and bad business practices at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

“Older Americans are being earmarked because of their emotional vulnerability and because they are not as digitally savvy as younger generations.”

— Former FBI Agent and fraud expert

It’s critical to report scams that target seniors.

WhatIsMyIPAddress.com has several resources to help victims find support and advice for addressing and reporting scams. Be sure to check each one out.

1. The Scam Report Preparation Guide. This exclusive guide helps you efficiently prepare a complete and accurate scam report. Start here.
2. Where to report a scam. Our exclusive resource links you to the various agencies and resources for reporting different types of scams. Report a scam.
3. Why you must report a scam. You cannot let the pain or shame of being scammed stop you from reporting it. Filing a report can help you and others.  Here’s why.

Turn to our Learning Center for more resources.

To learn more about scams targeting seniors and other cybercrimes, explore the resources in our Learning Center. You’ll find links to exclusive articles and podcast episodes.