Senior Scam Prevention & Fraud Resources in Kentucky
I. Overview: Kentucky’s Senior Population & Key Cities
As of 2024, Kentucky has a population of approximately 4.5 million, with over 820,000 residents aged 65 and older, representing around 18.2% of the total population. As this number grows, so does the risk of scams targeting seniors, especially those involving Medicare fraud, romance scams, government impersonation, and tech support hoaxes.
The top three cities with significant senior populations and consistent scam reports are:
- Louisville (approx. 620,000 people)
- Lexington (approx. 325,000 people)
- Bowling Green (approx. 75,000 people)
Fraudsters often exploit social isolation, confusion about digital services, and fear-based manipulation. Quick access to trusted authorities and consumer protection services is essential to prevent and recover from financial exploitation.
II. 2024 Victim Report: How Scammers Targeted Kentucky’s Seniors
In 2024, Kentucky had 1,336 victims aged 60+ who reported losses totaling $26,139,251.
Loss by Crime Type
| Crime Type | Loss Amount |
| Investment | $10,957,450 |
| Tech Support | $6,006,877 |
| Government Impersonation | $2,248,787 |
| Romance | $3,936,767 |
III. Emergency & Official Contacts
Local Police Departments – Elder Fraud & Financial Crimes
1. Louisville Metro Police Department – Financial Crimes Unit
- Phone: (502) 574-2111 (non-emergency)
- Website: www.louisville-police.org
- Ask to speak with Financial Crimes about suspected scams or elder exploitation.
2. Lexington Police Department – Investigations Bureau
- Phone: (859) 258-3600 (non-emergency)
- Website: www.lexingtonky.gov
- Request help for scam reporting or elder financial abuse cases.
3. Bowling Green Police Department – Community Services
- Phone: (270) 393-4244 (non-emergency)
- Website: www.bgky.org/police
- Contact for assistance with elder fraud or online scam incidents.
FBI & Federal Scam Reporting
FBI Louisville Field Office
- Phone: (502) 263-6000
- Website: www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/louisville
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
- Website: www.ic3.gov
- Use to report cybercrime, phishing, tech support fraud, and impersonation scams.
Kentucky Attorney General – Elder Fraud & Consumer Protection
Office of the Kentucky Attorney General – Consumer Protection Division
- Consumer Protection Hotline: (888) 432-9257
- Website: www.ag.ky.gov
- Offers complaint forms, scam alerts, and elder-focused fraud resources.
Statewide Elder Services & Medicare Fraud Assistance
Kentucky Adult Protective Services (APS)
- Report elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation:
APS Intake Line: (877) 597-2331 - Website: chfs.ky.gov
Kentucky Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
- Phone: (877) 603-6558
- Website: chfs.ky.gov
- Helps detect and report Medicare fraud and healthcare billing scams.
Kentucky Department for Aging and Independent Living (DAIL)
- Info Line: (502) 564-6930
- Website: chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dail
- Offers legal assistance, caregiver support, and fraud education for seniors.
Stay Informed. Trust Your Instincts. Report Early.
- Kentucky seniors lose millions of dollars every year to scams, often because they go unreported.
- Share these resources with family, caregivers, churches, and senior centers.
- Visit our Education Center to learn how scams work, what red flags to watch for, and how to report securely.
- If something feels off, stop and verify before you respond. You are not alone.
Share Your Story
Have you or a loved one experienced a scam, or stopped one just in time? Your story could help protect someone else.
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