Senior Scam Prevention and Fraud Resources in North Dakota
I. Overview: North Dakota’s Senior Population and Key Cities
As of 2024, North Dakota has a population of approximately 780,000, with over 150,000 residents aged 65 and older, representing 19.2% of the total population. Many seniors in North Dakota live in small towns or rural areas, where limited internet access, geographic isolation, and unfamiliarity with digital tools can increase their exposure to fraud.
Common scams reported among North Dakota’s older adults include Medicare and Social Security impersonation, tech support hoaxes, romance and investment fraud, and sweepstakes scams. These schemes often begin with unsolicited calls, emails, or messages that pressure victims to act quickly.
The cities with the highest concentrations of seniors and reported scam activity are:
- Fargo (approx. 135,000 people)
- Bismarck (approx. 75,000 people)
- Grand Forks (approx. 60,000 people)
II. 2024 Victim Report: How Scammers Targeted North Dakota’s Seniors
In 2024, North Dakota had 174 victims aged 60+ who reported losses totaling $5,781,845.
Loss by Crime Type
| Crime Type | Loss Amount |
| Investment | $3,043,840 |
| Tech Support | $1,191,657 |
| Government Impersonation | $61,000 |
| Romance | $541,036 |
III. Emergency & Official Contacts
Local Police Departments – Elder Fraud and Financial Crimes
1. Fargo Police Department – Investigations Division
- Phone: (701) 235-4493 (non-emergency)
- Website: fargopolice.com
- Handles elder fraud, ID theft, and cybercrime reports.
2. Bismarck Police Department – Criminal Investigations
- Phone: (701) 223-1212
- Website: bismarcknd.gov
- Contact for scam complaints and financial exploitation investigations.
3. Grand Forks Police Department
- Phone: (701) 787-8000
- Website: grandforksgov.com
- Offers assistance for fraud victims and elder protection.
FBI and Federal Scam Reporting
FBI Minneapolis Field Office (covers North Dakota)
- Phone: (763) 569-8000
- Website: www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/minneapolis
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
- Website: www.ic3.gov
- Submit reports for phishing, romance fraud, identity theft, and tech support scams.
North Dakota Attorney General – Consumer Protection Division
Office of the Attorney General – Consumer Protection
- Consumer Hotline: (800) 472-2600
- Website: attorneygeneral.nd.gov
- Provides scam alerts, mediation services, and fraud education.
Elder Services and Medicare Fraud Support
North Dakota Adult Protective Services (APS)
- Reporting Line: (855) 462-5465, option 2
- Website: www.nd.gov/dhs/services/adultsaging/aps.html
- Investigates elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.
North Dakota Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
- Phone: (800) 233-1737
- Website: ndcpd.org/smp
- Assists with Medicare billing fraud and teaches seniors to detect healthcare scams.
North Dakota Aging Services Division – Department of Human Services
- Info Line: (701) 328-4601
- Website: nd.gov/dhs/services/adultsaging
- Offers statewide elder care coordination, legal resources, and scam prevention support.
Stay Alert. Ask Questions. Report Quickly.
- Seniors in North Dakota lose millions annually to avoidable scams , but early detection can prevent further harm.
- Never share personal or financial information with unknown callers or messages.
- Visit our Education Center to access step-by-step scam prevention guides, warning signs, and reporting checklists.
- Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, it probably is. Help is just a call away.
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