Seniors have lost billions to scams. Where are they most at risk in 2025?

The Retirement Living research team analyzed data from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and FBI reports on fraud, identity theft, and elder financial losses to rank states based on their risk to older adults.

Why Are Seniors at Higher Risk for Scams?

Older adults often find themselves falling victim to scams. A study from MedicareFAQ.com found that nearly 40%, or 2 in 5, seniors have fallen for a scam. Scammers use modern technology and proven tactics to exploit a vulnerable population that is less familiar with technology than younger generations.

According to the FBI, scammers are particularly interested in older adults because they are more likely to be homeowners, have larger amounts of savings, and maintain better credit scores than other age groups. A report released by the FBI revealed that scams cost seniors more than $3.4 billion in 2023 – an 11% increase from 2022.

Common scams targeting seniors include government impersonators, fake sweepstakes or lottery scams, and tech support scams, where scammers claim your computer has a problem and ask for a fee to fix it.

There are also scams specifically targeting older adults, such as the grandparent scam, where a caller pretends to be a distressed grandchild or relative asking for money. This type of fraud accounted for nearly $357 million in elder fraud losses in 2023.

Older generations in America report higher financial losses from fraud than younger ones. If you or someone you know has been caught off guard by a scam, don’t feel ashamed – it can happen to anyone.

Top 5 Riskiest States for Scams and Seniors 

While seniors fall victim to scams nationwide, some states experience higher rates than others. The top five states in our ranking are primarily in the South and West, with three in the South and two in the West.

The riskiest states for scams were ranked based on the number of frauds and identity thefts per 100,000 people, as well as the financial losses seniors experienced in each state.

1. Nevada 

• Fraud reports per 100,000 people: 1,531 reports
• Identity theft reports per 100,000 people: 404 reports 
• Financial loss in elder fraud per 1,000 seniors: $59,734 

Nevada tops the list as the worst state for senior scams, with high rates of fraud and identity theft per capita. It ranks third nationally for fraud reports and identity theft per 100,000 people and experiences the fourth-highest financial loss from elder fraud per 1,000 seniors. Credit card fraud was the most common form of identity theft, making up 47% of reported cases. 

2. Florida 

• Fraud reports per 100,000 people: 1,563 reports
• Identity theft reports per 100,000 people: 438 reports 
• Financial loss in elder fraud per 1,000 seniors: $45,096

The Sunshine State ranks right behind, bolstered by the second-highest identity theft and fraud reports per 100,000 people. In a state where seniors are already feeling pushed out by rising costs of living, losing any amount of money to scams can have dire consequences.

3. Georgia

• Fraud reports per 100,000 people: 1,564 reports
• Identity theft reports per 100,000 people: 457 reports 
• Financial loss in elder fraud per 1,000 seniors: $38,989

Georgia had the highest number of fraud and identity theft reports per 100,000 people, at 1,564 and 457, respectively. However, its lower financial losses from elder fraud compared to other top states on our list prevent it from ranking higher.

4. Delaware 

• Fraud reports per 100,000 people: 1,500
• Identity theft reports per 100,000 people: 359 reports 
• Financial loss in elder fraud per 1,000 seniors: $51,749

Delaware stands out for its high financial losses from elder fraud, especially considering its smaller population. With just 296,881 people aged 60 and older, the state’s high fraud rates relative to its population size are a cause for concern.

5. California

• Fraud reports per 100,000 people: 1,027 reports
• Identity theft reports per 100,000 people: 304 reports 
• Financial loss in elder fraud per 1,000 seniors: $74,350 

California ranks fifth on our list, largely due to the significant financial losses seniors faced from fraud, the highest of any state, with over $74,000 lost per 1,000 seniors. In total, seniors in the state lost over $643 million to elder fraud in a single year.

A State-by-State Breakdown of Where Seniors Are Most at Risk for Scams

Our complete state-by-state breakdown of where seniors are most at risk for scams in the U.S. can be found below. See where your state ranks out of all 50 here.

5 steps to protect yourself and loved ones from scams

The data in our report makes one thing clear: knowing how to spot and avoid scams is crucial. Here are some steps to help protect yourself and your loved ones.

1. Stay Educated on Common Scams

Many scams follow predictable patterns, whether it’s tech support fraud or family impersonations. Learning key phrases and red flags will help you recognize scams before they can steal your money or information.

2. Create a password

Collaborate with your loved ones to come up with a secret password or phrase only you know. If a scammer tries to impersonate a friend or family member, ask them to repeat the password to verify their identity.

3. Take your time

Scammers often speak with a sense of urgency to pressure you into acting quickly. Pause and think about what’s being asked. If you have any suspicions, it’s best to hang up and talk to someone you trust.

4. Don’t be afraid to double-check

Caller IDs can be deceptive. Scammers can “spoof” numbers to appear as if they’re calling from your area code or even a loved one’s phone. They can even use AI to mimic voices. If you receive a call asking for money from someone claiming to be a relative, for example, hang up and call them directly from your contact list to verify the request. If they can’t confirm the story, it wasn’t really them.

5. Report fraud

Reporting fraud to agencies like the FTC or the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center can help protect others from becoming victims. Be sure to document the details of what happened as soon as possible to simplify the reporting process later. In 2023, identity theft was a significant issue, with credit card theft being the most common type, accounting for 36% (388,870 cases) of the 1,074,145 reported. Seniors aged 60+ were particularly affected, losing over $37.8 million to credit card and check fraud schemes.

Methodology  

To identify the states most vulnerable to scams, the Retirement Living Research Team evaluated all 50 states based on three key metrics:

• Fraud Reports per 100,000 people (35 points): Data sourced from the FTC’s 2023 report.
• Identity Theft Reports per 100,000 people (35 points): Data sourced from the FTC’s 2023 report.
• Loss in Elder Fraud per 1,000 Seniors (30 points): Figures from the FBI’s 2023 Elder Fraud Report, cross-referenced with U.S. Census data on the 60+ population.

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