Senior Scam Prevention and Fraud Resources in Vermont
I. Overview: Vermont’s Senior Population and Key Cities
As of 2024, Vermont has a population of approximately 645,000, with about 137,000 residents aged 65 and older, representing 21.2% of the total population , one of the highest percentages of seniors in the United States. Many of these older adults live in rural towns or small cities, which can lead to greater isolation and vulnerability to fraud.
Common scams targeting Vermont seniors include Medicare fraud, utility or Social Security imposters, online romance scams, tech support scams, and sweepstakes hoaxes. Fraudsters exploit trust and urgency , and in rural areas, the delay in reporting may increase financial losses.
The largest cities and towns with higher concentrations of older adults and reported scams are:
- Burlington (approx. 45,000 people)
- South Burlington (approx. 20,000 people)
- Rutland (approx. 15,000 people)
II. 2024 Victim Report: How Scammers Targeted Vermont’s Seniors
In 2024, Vermont had 243 victims aged 60+ who reported losses totaling $4,177,269.
Loss by Crime Type
| Crime Type | Loss Amount |
| Investment | $496,333 |
| Tech Support | $1,150,772 |
| Government Impersonation | $623,501 |
| Romance | $604,795 |
III. Emergency and Official Contacts
Local Police Departments – Elder Fraud and Financial Crimes
1. Burlington Police Department – Investigative Services
- Phone: (802) 658-2704 (non-emergency)
- Website: www.burlingtonvt.gov/Police
- Handles reports of fraud, scams, and elder abuse.
2. South Burlington Police Department
- Phone: (802) 846-4111
- Website: www.sbpdvt.org
- Contact for identity theft, fraud, and suspicious financial activity.
3. Rutland City Police Department
- Phone: (802) 773-1816
- Website: www.rutlandcity.org
- Offers support for scam victims and elder safety education.
FBI and Federal Scam Reporting
FBI Albany Field Office (covers Vermont)
- Phone: (518) 465-7551
- Website: www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/albany
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
- Website: www.ic3.gov
- For reporting online scams, phishing, cyber fraud, and elder financial abuse.
Vermont Attorney General – Consumer Assistance Program (CAP)
Office of the Attorney General – CAP Elder Protection Initiative
- CAP Hotline: (800) 649-2424 (in-state only)
- Website: ago.vermont.gov/cap
- Assists with fraud complaints, scam education, and dispute resolution.
Senior Services and Medicare Fraud Support
Vermont Adult Protective Services (APS)
- Report Line: (800) 564-1612
- Website: dail.vermont.gov
- Investigates financial exploitation, abuse, and neglect of vulnerable adults.
Vermont Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
- Phone: (888) 865-2683
- Website: vermontelders.org
- Provides education and support for identifying and reporting Medicare fraud.
Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living (DAIL)
- General Info: (802) 241-2401
- Website: dail.vermont.gov
- Offers statewide resources for elder care, protection, and financial safety.
Take Action Early. Talk. Report. Share.
- Vermont seniors lose millions of dollars each year to avoidable scams.
- Be alert to red flags: urgent messages, unexpected requests for money or personal information, and unfamiliar callers.
- Visit our Education Center for prevention tools, sample call scripts, scam red flags, and step-by-step reporting guides.
- It’s never too early to ask questions. You are not alone. Help is available.
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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