Scam Alert: 2024 FBI Scam Report - Seniors Lost Nearly $5 Billion

Scams targeting seniors continue to grow in the US

Author

Seth Combs
April 28, 2025

SENIOR SCAM ALERT
2024 FBI Scam Report: Seniors Lost Nearly $5 Billion to Scams Last Year

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) just released its 2024 Annual Report, and the numbers are clear: seniors over the age of 60 were once again the most targeted—and financially devastated—group in the country.

Let’s break it down and talk about how to stay one step ahead of the scammers.

👵 Seniors: The #1 Target for Internet Crimes

In 2024:

  • 147,127 complaints were filed by individuals over 60

  • $4.88 billion in losses were reported by this age group

  • That’s a 43% increase in financial losses from the previous year

  • More than 7,500 seniors lost over $100,000 each

  • The average loss per senior victim was $83,000

Let that sink in. These aren’t small-time scams—these are life-altering thefts.

What’s even scarier is that less than 15% of victims typically report a scam.

2024 FBI Report on Scams - Targeted Age Groups

🎣 What Are the Most Common Scams Targeting Seniors?

Here’s what the report tells us:

Scam Type

Reported Losses (60+)

💰 Investment Fraud

$1.83 billion

🖥️ Tech Support Scams

$982 million

❤️ Romance Scams

$389 million

📧 Business Email Fraud

$385 million

👩‍💻 Government Impersonation

$208 million

📦 Non-Delivery Fraud

$76 million

🏡 Real Estate Scams

$76 million

🎰 Lottery/Sweepstakes

$75 million

Many of these scams are emotionally manipulative—posing as a grandchild in trouble, a tech company warning you of a virus, or a too-good-to-be-true investment opportunity. They are convincing. That’s why education is your best defense.

🔒 Top Tips to Protect Yourself

✅ Slow Down: Scammers love urgency. Take your time and verify.
✅ Never Pay in Crypto or Gift Cards: No government agency or legitimate business asks for payment this way.
✅ Don’t Click Unknown Links: Scammers hide fake links in emails, texts, and QR codes.
✅ Hang Up on Suspicious Calls: Especially if someone claims to be from the IRS, Social Security, or a grandchild needing bail money.
✅ Report Anything Suspicious: You can do it quickly at ic3.gov.

🧠 Knowledge = Power

Think about the people in your life—neighbors, church friends, golf partners. They need this information too. Forward this newsletter, print it out for the community bulletin board, or just start a conversation. One warning might save someone’s entire savings.

📢 What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed

  1. Go to www.ic3.gov and file a complaint

  2. Call your bank or financial institution to freeze or reverse transactions

  3. Contact your local FBI field office or police department

  4. Reach out to a trusted family member or friend—don’t go through it alone