Ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, the FBI is reminding elderly Americans and their loved ones about elder fraud. This type of fraud takes many forms as criminal elements seek to take advantage of this vulnerable and growing population. The FBI is committed to investigating financial fraud schemes against seniors and has dedicated resources to address all varieties of elder fraud across the nation.

The FBI investigates financial scams targeting seniors, including investment scams, technical/customer support schemes, money mule and romance scams, and others. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) data, in 2024 there was a total of $4.885 billion in losses from 147,127 complaints. This is a 46% increase in complaints from 2023, as well as a 43% increase in losses. Here in the Boston Division, which includes all of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island, total reported losses in 2024 were $134,935,643.

608 victims in Maine lost $12,980,616.

3,224 victims in Massachusetts lost $99,804,762.

633 victims in New Hampshire lost $15,840,854.

324 victims in Rhode Island lost $6,309,411.

The reported losses are most likely much higher because older Americans are less likely to report fraud because they either don’t know how to report it, are embarrassed, or don’t know they have been scammed.

The FBI continues to work with our local, state, tribal, and federal partners to tackle elder fraud and stop those who attempt to harm the elderly.

“Elder fraud is a growing problem and a shameful crime,” said Kimberly Milka, acting special agent in charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “Not only does it rob an already vulnerable population of their sense of security, but it leaves them with devastating financial losses. We all need to work together to make sure our seniors know about these schemes so they can protect their hard-earned money from being swindled away by scammers. If you are being victimized, or know someone who is, please report it to us at ic3.gov.”

Seniors are frequently targeted by criminal actors, as they are often perceived to be more polite and trusting. These actors may also assume that seniors are more financially stable, own real estate, spend a great deal of time alone, and are less likely to report fraud if they feel ashamed or are unfamiliar with reporting channels such as IC3.gov.

Fraud can happen to anyone, and small steps can be taken to protect yourself and your information: 

• Search online for the contact information (name, phone number, email, addresses) of any unknown source which reaches out to you, as well as the proposed offer. Other people have likely posted information online about businesses and individuals attempting to run scams.
• Resist the pressure to act quickly. Scammers create a sense of urgency to lure victims into immediate action, typically by instilling trust and inducing empathy or fear, or the promise of monetary gains, companionship, or employment opportunities.  
• Be cautious of unsolicited phone calls, mailings, and door-to-door service offers.
• Never give or send to unverified people or businesses any personally identifiable information, money, checks, gift cards, or wire information.
• Take precautionary measures to protect your identity should a criminal gain access to your device or account. Immediately contact your financial institutions to place protections on your accounts and monitor for suspicious activity.