Senior Scam Prevention and Fraud Resources in South Dakota

I. Overview: South Dakota’s Senior Population and Key Cities

State of South Dakota

As of 2024, South Dakota has a population of approximately 910,000, with over 180,000 residents aged 65 and older, making up around 19.8% of the state’s population. South Dakota’s aging population is distributed across small towns and rural communities, with many seniors living independently or on fixed incomes ,  which increases vulnerability to scams.

Common frauds targeting South Dakota seniors include Medicare scams, sweepstakes and lottery hoaxes, romance and tech support scams, and imposter calls claiming to be from government or utility agencies. Geographic isolation can make it harder to report fraud quickly, which increases the risk of financial loss.

The largest cities with the highest rates of scam reports and elder population density are:

  • Sioux Falls (approx. 210,000 people)
  • Rapid City (approx. 80,000 people)
  • Aberdeen (approx. 30,000 people)

II. 2024 Victim Report: How Scammers Targeted South Dakota’s Seniors

In 2024, South Dakota had 259 victims aged 60+ who reported losses totaling $8,975,829.

Loss by Crime Type

Crime TypeLoss Amount
Investment$4,594,352
Tech Support$2,479,460
Government Impersonation$264,301
Romance$643,624

III. Emergency and Official Contacts

 Local Police Departments – Elder Fraud and Financial Crimes

1. Sioux Falls Police Department – Investigations Division

  • Phone: (605) 367-7212 (non-emergency)
  • Website: siouxfalls.gov/police
  • Handles fraud, ID theft, and elder exploitation cases.

2. Rapid City Police Department – Financial Crimes Unit

  • Phone: (605) 394-4131 (non-emergency)
  • Website: rcgov.org
  • Contact for reporting phone scams, online fraud, and financial abuse.

3. Aberdeen Police Department – General Inquiries

  • Phone: (605) 626-7000
  • Website: aberdeen.sd.us
  • Provides support for elder fraud complaints and community safety.

 FBI and Federal Scam Reporting

FBI Minneapolis Field Office (covers South Dakota)

  • Phone: (763) 569-8000
  • Website: fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/minneapolis

Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

  • Website: www.ic3.gov
  • For reporting online scams, tech support hoaxes, phishing, and fraud.

 South Dakota Attorney General – Consumer Protection Division

Office of the Attorney General – Consumer Protection

  • Consumer Helpline: (800) 300-1986
  • Website: atg.sd.gov
  • Provides education and investigation for elder scams and deceptive business practices.

 Statewide Elder Services and Medicare Fraud Support

South Dakota Adult Protective Services (APS)

  • Central Intake: (833) 968-2854
  • Website: dss.sd.gov
  • Handles elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation cases.

South Dakota Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)

  • Phone: (800) 536-8197
  • Website: sdhca.org
  • Assists with Medicare billing scams, fraud prevention, and outreach.

South Dakota Department of Human Services – Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC)

  • Info Line: (833) 663-9673
  • Website: dhs.sd.gov
  • Offers elder care coordination, legal assistance, and scam education.

 Protect Yourself, Protect Others

  • South Dakota seniors lose millions of dollars annually to fraud, often from avoidable or repeatable scams.
  • Be cautious of anyone asking for personal info, money transfers, or gift cards over the phone or online.
  • Visit our Education Center for examples of scams, response scripts, and secure reporting tools.
  • Stop. Think. Report. You are not alone ,  help is here.
South Dakota Seal

 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.

Share Your Story