Elder Fraud Statistics
Reported fraud losses affecting adults aged 60 and over in the United States, drawn from FBI IC3 annual reports and FTC data.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Fraud targeting older adults — sometimes called elder fraud — is a serious and growing problem. The FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center publishes a dedicated section on elder fraud in its annual report, and the FTC also tracks age-related patterns in its Consumer Sentinel Network data.
Older adults are targeted disproportionately because they may hold significant savings, are more likely to be at home to receive calls or messages, and are often targeted by tech-support, imposter, and romance scams. Under-reporting is believed to be especially high among this group, as victims may feel embarrassed, not know how to report, or not realise they have been scammed.
Key figures
Nearly $4.885 billion in 2024, from 147,127 complaints
Reported fraud losses by adults aged 60+ (US, FBI IC3)
Source: FBI IC3 2024 Annual Internet Crime Report (2024)
46% increase in complaints and 43% increase in losses from 2023 to 2024
Year-on-year change in elder fraud complaints (FBI IC3)
Source: FBI IC3 2024 Annual Internet Crime Report (2024)
Over $1.8 billion in 2024 — the single largest loss category for this age group
Reported losses to investment scams — adults 60+ (FBI IC3)
Source: FBI IC3 2024 Annual Internet Crime Report (2024)
Approximately $1 billion in 2024
Reported losses to tech support scams — adults 60+ (FBI IC3)
Source: FBI IC3 2024 Annual Internet Crime Report (2024)
$2.4 billion reported lost by adults over 60 in 2024
Reported losses to older adults (US, FTC)
Source: FTC Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2024 (2024)
Key takeaways
- According to the FBI IC3, adults aged 60 and over reported nearly $4.885 billion in losses in 2024 — more than any other age group.
- Elder fraud complaints to the IC3 increased 46% year-on-year in 2024, a sharp acceleration.
- Investment scams, tech support fraud, and confidence/romance schemes are the three largest loss categories for older adults.
- The FTC separately reports $2.4 billion in losses for adults over 60 — figures from the two agencies are not additive.
- Under-reporting is believed to be especially pronounced among older victims, meaning true losses are considerably higher.
Frequently asked questions
Why are older adults targeted more than younger people?
Older adults may hold greater accumulated savings, may be more likely to answer cold calls or unsolicited messages, and can be less familiar with rapidly evolving scam tactics. The FBI notes that tech support fraud, investment scams, and romance scams are the most commonly reported categories among this group.
Do the FBI IC3 and FTC figures for older adults overlap?
Yes, partially. Both draw on reports from US consumers, but the IC3 focuses on internet crime while the FTC covers broader fraud. A victim may report to both agencies, or only one. The two totals cannot be added together.
Why do figures for elder fraud vary so much between sources?
Agencies use different age thresholds, category definitions, and reporting methods. The FBI IC3 uses 60+ as its threshold; other organisations may use 65+. Reporting rates also differ by age group and incident type.
How can I help an older relative avoid fraud?
Encourage them to pause before sending any money, verify unexpected contacts independently, and know that no legitimate organisation will demand payment by gift card or cryptocurrency. The FBI's IC3 (ic3.gov) and the FTC's ReportFraud.ftc.gov accept reports from anyone who has been targeted.