Millions of older Americans are targeted by financial scams each year. One analysis published by the U.S. Department of the Treasury found $27 billion in suspected elder financial exploitation in just a 12-month period. As digital banking, payments and communication become more common, scammers have more ways to reach victims and impersonate trusted institutions. Phishing scams, including business imposter and government imposter fraud, are among the most common methods used to target older Americans.
SmartAsset analyzed fraud reports filed with the Federal Trade Commission by state and age group to determine which areas show the highest rate of reported scams involving residents aged 60 and older. The analysis also identified the most common scam type targeting older Americans in each state.
Key Findings
This popular retirement state recorded the highest rate of reported scams involving older Americans. Arizona led the analysis with seven reports involving residents aged 60 and older per 1,000 people in that age group. Delaware and Colorado followed in the rankings.
North Dakota recorded the lowest rate of reported scams involving older Americans. With just three reports involving residents age 60 and older for every 1,000 people in that age group, North Dakota had the fewest reported incidents in the analysis.
Business imposter scams were the most commonly reported scam type involving older Americans in most states. Among the 10 most common scam types, older Americans most often reported business imposter scams in every state except Alaska, Iowa, Maryland, South Dakota, Vermont, and West Virginia. In those states, residents most often reported government imposter scams.
Older Americans report job fraud and online shopping fraud less often than younger groups. Nationwide, reports involving older Americans were less likely than those involving younger age groups to cite either scam type.
SmartAsset
States Where Older Americans are Targeted for Financial Fraud
Arizona
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 7
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 12%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Delaware
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 6.9
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 10%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Colorado
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 6.8
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 13%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Washington
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 6.4
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 14%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
New Mexico
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 6.3
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 16%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Alaska
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 6.1
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 13%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Government imposters
Maryland
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 5.9
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 8%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Government imposters
Nevada
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 5.8
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 8%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Oregon
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 5.7
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 14%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Vermont
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 5.5
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 20%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Government imposters
Utah
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 5.4
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 12%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Florida
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 5.2
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 7%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Hawai‘i
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 5.1
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 14%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
New Hampshire
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 5.1
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 15%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
South Carolina
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 5.1
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 9%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Virginia
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 5.1
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 9%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Montana
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 4.9
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 17%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Wyoming
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 4.9
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 14%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
California
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 4.8
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 9%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Georgia
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 4.8
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 5%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Idaho
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 4.8
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 14%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Alabama
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 4.6
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 8%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Nebraska
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 4.6
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 13%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Connecticut
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 4.5
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 9%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Maine
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 4.5
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 16%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
North Carolina
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 4.5
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 8%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Rhode Island
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 4.5
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 11%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Indiana
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 4.4
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 10%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Minnesota
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 4.4
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 13%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Kansas
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 4.3
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 13%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Massachusetts
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 4.3
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 10%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
New Jersey
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 4.3
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 7%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Texas
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 4.3
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 6%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Missouri
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 4.2
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 9%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Tennessee
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 4.2
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 9%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Wisconsin
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 4.2
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 13%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Illinois
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 4.1
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 7%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Michigan
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 4.1
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 9%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Ohio
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 4.1
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 10%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Pennsylvania
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 4.1
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 8%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Arkansas
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 4
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 10%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
New York
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 4
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 7%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Oklahoma
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 4
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 11%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Kentucky
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 3.9
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 12%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
South Dakota
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 3.8
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 14%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Government imposters
Mississippi
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 3.7
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 7%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Louisiana
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 3.6
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 6%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Iowa
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 3.5
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 13%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Government imposters
West Virginia
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 3.1
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 13%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Government imposters
North Dakota
Fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older per 1,000: 3
Share of all fraud reports involving victims ages 60 and older: 10%
Top scam type affecting victims ages 60 and older: Business imposters
Methodology
This analysis examined fraud reports submitted to the Federal Trade Commission in 2024, the most recent year for which data was available. To evaluate where older Americans may be most frequently targeted, the number of fraud reports involving victims aged 60 and older per 1,000 residents in that age group in each of the 50 states was calculated. Population estimates for residents ages 60 and older were drawn from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 state population estimates. In addition to this primary rate, the share of all fraud reports in each state involving victims aged 60 and older was calculated to provide additional context. States were ranked based on the rate of reports per 1,000 residents age 60 and older, and the most commonly reported scam type affecting that age group in each state was identified using FTC complaint categorization data. Because FTC data reflects reported incidents rather than all instances of fraud, actual fraud levels may be higher than reported totals, and differences in reporting behavior may influence comparisons. Source data providers are not affiliated with, and do not endorse or sponsor, this study or its findings.
