Seniors in Georgia are losing big money to fraud—so much that the state now ranks 7th in the nation for reported financial losses among people over 60, according to new research from Caring.com.
In 2024 alone, older Georgians lost an estimated $1.57 million per 100,000 residents to scams. That puts Georgia just behind Texas and Florida, two of the country’s largest retirement states.
The national picture
The problem is far from local. Seniors across the U.S. reported $4.8 billion in fraud losses last year. Washington, D.C., topped the list, with losses topping $35.9 million per 100,000 people—a number researchers link to higher incomes and more disposable cash that scammers target.
Other hard-hit states include Arizona, Nevada, California, and Florida.
The scams hitting seniors hardest
The research shows some clear patterns in how fraudsters are operating:
- Imposter scams — Criminals posing as government officials, businesses, or even tech support.
- Shopping scams — Fake online stores and fraudulent sellers.
- Crypto & romance scams — Older adults lost over $108,000 per case in these high-stakes frauds.
Indiana, meanwhile, has seen the biggest surge in senior fraud cases, with reports rising 240% in just three years.
Why it matters for Georgia
With nearly 1.7 million Georgians over the age of 60, the state’s losses highlight how vulnerable retirees are to digital and phone-based scams. For many, even one major fraud case can wipe out years of savings.
How to spot a scam
Caring.com compiled a few red flags seniors and families should watch for:
- Pressure to act fast — Scammers try to scare or rush victims into making quick decisions.
- Unfamiliar payment requests — Demands for wire transfers, prepaid cards, or cryptocurrency are major warning signs.
- Too-good-to-be-true offers — From lottery winnings to “guaranteed” investments.
What’s next
Experts say awareness is the first line of defense. Families are encouraged to talk openly about scams with older relatives, report suspicious activity to the FTC or local law enforcement, and check trusted resources like Caring.com’s senior scams guide for prevention tips.
