Indiana ranks second in the nation for fraud targeting senior citizens, according to a new report. Photo from Beth Macdonald, Unsplash.

News Release

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana ranks second in the nation for fraud targeting senior citizens, according to a new report highlighting the rising toll of scams on older adults.

The study from Caring.com found Americans age 60 and older lost $4.8 billion to fraud in 2023. Indiana reported 76.9 complaints per 100,000 residents, placing it just behind Arizona when taking population into account. Nevada, Alaska and New Mexico rounded out the top five.

Researchers also identified Indiana as having the sharpest rise in fraud cases over the past three years involving the elderly, with complaints climbing 240%. The report suggested the state’s aging population may be a factor. Hoosiers 65 and older are expected to make up more than 20% of the population by 2030, increasing the pool of potential targets.

Nationwide, the most common scams against seniors in 2023 involved people posing as technology support professionals, with more than 17,000 reported cases.

Other costly schemes included cryptocurrency-related fraud, often tied to romance scams. Seniors who fell victim to crypto fraud lost an average of more than $108,000 per case, according to the report.

Caring.com officials urged families to take preventive steps by discussing fraud risks with older relatives and encouraging vigilance. The report recommended watching for high-pressure tactics designed to force quick decisions, remaining skeptical of unsolicited tech support offers, and being wary of requests for payment through cryptocurrency. Consumer advocates say such safeguards are increasingly critical as scammers adapt their tactics and target populations perceived as vulnerable.

For Indiana, the findings underscore both the scale of financial harm already occurring and the challenges likely to grow as the state’s population ages.