Senior Scam Prevention & Fraud Resources in Georgia
Georgia seniors reported $218 million in elder fraud losses to the FBI in 2025, with 4,865 victims aged 60 and older. This page provides Georgia-specific scam prevention resources, official reporting contacts, and five years of FBI elder fraud data for the state.
Already been scammed? Read our First 24 Hours Emergency Guide for critical steps to take immediately.
I. Overview: Georgia’s Senior Population & Key Cities
Georgia has an estimated population of 11 million as of 2024, with over 1.8 million residents aged 65 and older, representing approximately 16.4% of the state’s total population. Georgia’s rapidly growing retiree population makes it a major target for cybercrime, particularly scams that exploit trust, isolation, or confusion — such as phishing, fake tech support, lottery fraud, and Medicare-related scams.
Georgia’s top cities with large senior populations and high reported fraud activity are:
- Atlanta (approx. 510,000 people)
- Columbus (approx. 205,000 people)
- Augusta (approx. 200,000 people)
These urban centers see consistent reports of online fraud and financial exploitation. In 2025, Georgia seniors lost $218 million to fraud, with investment scams dominating at $118 million (+42%) — more than half of all losses. Tech support fraud reached $23 million and romance scams $15 million. Early awareness, family engagement, and access to official resources are key tools in prevention.
II. 2025 Victim Report: How Scammers Targeted Georgia’s Seniors
In 2025, Georgia had 4,865 victims aged 60+ who reported losses totaling $218,218,618 — up 34% in victims and 25% in losses compared to 2024 (3,621 victims / $175M).
Loss by Crime Type
| Crime Type | 2025 Loss | 2024 Loss | Change |
| Investment | $118,131,006 | $82,957,738 | +42% |
| Tech Support | $23,131,887 | $20,369,965 | +14% |
| Romance | $15,275,922 | $12,612,159 | +21% |
| Lottery/Sweepstakes | $4,604,823 | $1,089,654 | +323% |
| Extortion | $171,837 | $501,023 | -66% |
| Government Impersonation | $8,159,101 | $6,913,124 | +18% |
Elder Fraud Loss Trajectory — Georgia
5-Year Elder Fraud Trend — Georgia (2021—2025)
| Year | Victims (60+) | Total Loss | YoY Change | Nat’l Rank |
| 2021 | 1,887 | $25,753,434 | — | #18 |
| 2022 | 2,005 | $78,736,227 | +206% | #9 |
| 2023 | 2,112 | $92,393,609 | +17% | #10 |
| 2024 | 3,621 | $174,744,201 | +89% | #7 |
| 2025 | 4,865 | $218,218,618 | +25% | #8 |
| 5-Year Total | 14,490 | $589,846,089 | +747% (2021—2025) | — |
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Annual Reports, 2021—2025. Covers victims aged 60 and older. National rank is by total dollar loss among 52 states/territories. National totals: $1.7B (2021), $3.1B (2022), $3.4B (2023), $4.9B (2024), $7.7B (2025) — $20.8 billion stolen from American seniors over five years.
Top Crime Types Targeting Georgia Seniors (2025 vs. 5-Year)
| Crime Type | 2025 Victims | 2025 Loss | 5-Year Total | Growth (2021—25) |
| Investment | 526 | $118,131,006 | $265,450,796 | +4,352% |
| Tech Support | 546 | $23,131,887 | $67,768,947 | +691% |
| BEC | 116 | $21,511,034 | $67,351,300 | +264% |
| Romance | 264 | $15,275,922 | $52,817,517 | +104% |
| Personal Data Breach | 304 | $10,027,196 | $45,978,075 | +1,685% |
| Gov. Impersonation | 341 | $8,159,101 | $27,364,187 | +1,203% |
Top 6 crime types by 2025 losses. Growth calculated from 2021 to 2025. For national crime type trends, see our Crime Type Migration Analysis.
What the data reveals: Georgia ranks #8 nationally in total elder fraud losses at $218 million, up 25% from $175 million in 2024, with 4,865 seniors victimized. Investment scams account for 54% of all losses at $118 million (+42%). Most other categories saw moderate growth: tech support +14%, romance +21%, government impersonation +18%. Extortion, by contrast, fell 66% to $171,837, one of the few categories to decline. Statewide, that comes to roughly one senior victim for every 2,298 Georgia residents.
National context: Georgia ranks #8 in total losses but only #42 in per-capita victim rate (43.51 per 100,000) — one of the widest gaps between total and per-capita rankings. An individual Georgia senior is less likely to be targeted than seniors in 41 other states. The 25% year-over-year loss increase is well below the national average of 57%, the lowest growth rate among the top 10 states by total losses. This may reflect the effectiveness of Georgia’s existing fraud prevention efforts.
For the full national picture, including how Georgia compares to every other state, visit our national hub page with interactive data and rankings.
III. Emergency & Official Contacts
Local Police Departments – Elder Fraud & Economic Crimes
1. Atlanta Police Department – Financial Crimes Unit
- Phone: (404) 614-6544 (non-emergency)
- Website: www.atlantapd.org
- Tip: Ask for the Fraud or Elder Exploitation Unit.
2. Columbus Police Department – Investigations Bureau
- Phone: (706) 225-3400 (non-emergency)
- Website: www.columbusga.gov/police
- Report suspected elder scams, identity theft, or financial abuse.
3. Augusta-Richmond County Sheriff’s Office – Financial Crimes
- Phone: (706) 821-1000 (non-emergency)
- Website: www.augustaga.gov
- Tip: Request fraud reporting or elder abuse investigation support.
FBI & Federal Scam Reporting
FBI Atlanta Field Office
- Phone: (770) 216-3000
- Website: www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/atlanta
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
- Website: www.ic3.gov
- Use to report elder fraud including phishing, fake tech support, online romance scams, and investment fraud.
Georgia Attorney General – Consumer Protection & Elder Fraud
Office of the Georgia Attorney General – Consumer Protection Division
- Consumer Protection Hotline: (404) 651-8600
- Toll-Free for Georgia Residents: (800) 869-1123
- Website: www.consumer.ga.gov
- Offers a dedicated reporting system for elder scams and identity theft.
Statewide Elder Protection & Medicare Fraud Support
Georgia Adult Protective Services (APS)
- 24/7 Hotline: (866) 552-4464 (option 2)
- Website: aging.georgia.gov/report-elder-abuse-neglect-or-exploitation/adult-protective-services-aps
- For reporting abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of adults 65+ or disabled adults.
Georgia Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
- Phone: (866) 552-4464 (same as APS, select Medicare option)
- Website: stopmedicarefraud.org
- Assists with identifying and reporting Medicare billing scams and fraud.
Georgia Division of Aging Services (DAS)
- Main Info Line: (866) 552-4464
- Website: aging.georgia.gov
- Connects seniors and caregivers with local services, education, and protection programs.
Atlanta Regional Commission – Aging & Independence Services
- Senior Support Line: (404) 463-3333
- Website: www.atlantaregional.org
Stay Smart. Speak Up. Stay Safe.
- Georgia seniors report millions in annual financial losses to scams, but many could be prevented with timely action.
- Save these contacts and discuss them with friends, family, and caregivers.
- Visit our Learning Center to learn how scams operate and how to defend against them.
- If something feels suspicious, don’t wait. Report it.
Recent Georgia scam news
Recent news coverage of scams affecting Georgia seniors, updated from our alerts desk. Each item links to the original outlet; victims and defendants are kept anonymous.
FBI and GBI warn Georgians as cryptocurrency scams surge, with seniors losing the most
The FBI and Georgia Bureau of Investigation are warning residents about a rise in cryptocurrency scams after a retired Georgia couple lost nearly $800,000 this year when contacts made through WhatsApp convinced them to move their savings into a fake crypto investment account. Investigators say these schemes often start with an unsolicited text, social media message, dating app conversation, or fake job offer from a stranger who spends weeks or months building trust before pushing a cryptocurrency investment. Georgians reported more than $400 million in cybercrime losses last year, with crypto investment scams accounting for nearly half of that total, and officials say AI is making the fake messages, voices, and investment platforms harder to spot. If you lose money, reporting it to local law enforcement within 24 to 48 hours gives investigators the best chance of intercepting the payment, and the safe habit going forward is to never send cryptocurrency to someone you have only met online and to research any investment independently before sending money.
Read at WJBF →Georgia's new law lets banks pause suspicious withdrawals to protect older customers
A Georgia law that took effect July 1, 2026 gives banks and credit unions the authority to briefly pause a transaction when they reasonably suspect a customer age 65 or older, or an adult with a qualifying condition like dementia, is being financially exploited. The initial hold can last up to 15 business days and be extended another 15 if concerns continue, giving families and investigators time to step in before money leaves the account. Georgia joins more than 30 other states with similar transaction-hold laws, adding one more tool alongside the standard advice to slow down and verify any unexpected request for money through a number you look up yourself.
Read at Fox News →Scam Alert: Scammers increasingly targeting the elderly
A scam alert warns that criminals are increasingly targeting older adults, so extra caution with unexpected contact is wise.
Read at AccessNorthGA →Officials warn of scams targeting World Cup visitors in Atlanta
Officials at a senior center warned that big events like the World Cup attract scammers using fake tickets and charity ploys.
Read at WRDW →How to stay protected from the 'Grandparent Scam'
Experts explain how older adults and families can guard against the grandparent scam, where callers pose as relatives needing money.
Read at WRBL →Georgia Secretary of State brings 'Savvy Senior' financial wellness and fraud awareness event
Georgia officials launch a financial wellness and fraud awareness event to help older adults stay safe.
Read at Georgia Secretary of State →IV. Learn More: Georgia Scam Prevention Guides
Explore Georgia-specific guides on the most common scams targeting seniors in your state:
- Tech Support Scams in Georgia — Learn to recognize fake pop-ups, phone calls, and remote access schemes.
- Investment Scams in Georgia — Protect your retirement savings from fraudulent advisors and crypto scams.
- Romance Scams in Georgia — Spot the warning signs of fake online relationships designed to steal money.
- Government Impersonation Scams in Georgia — Know what real government agencies will never ask you to do.
- How to Report Scams in Georgia — Step-by-step guide to reporting fraud and starting recovery.
For national-level data on each scam type, see our Investment, Tech Support, Romance, and Government Impersonation national guides.
See how Georgia compares. Curious where Georgia ranks in the national picture? Stolen Trust, our 2026 special study, ranks every state and territory using five years of FBI data and lays out one practical plan to fix elder fraud.