Protecting Illinois Seniors from Tech Support Scams
In 2025, 813 Illinois seniors reported tech support scam complaints to the FBI, contributing to total elder fraud losses of $189.5 million statewide. Tech support scams are among the most common and devastating forms of fraud targeting older adults. This guide will help you recognize, avoid, and report tech support scams.
Why Illinois Seniors Are Especially Vulnerable
Illinois has unique characteristics that put its senior population at heightened risk:
- Large senior population: Illinois has over 2 million residents aged 65 and older, creating a massive target pool for scammers
- Urban-rural divide: While Chicago has extensive resources, downstate Illinois is deeply rural with limited access to in-person tech support and financial advisors
- Diverse communities: Illinois’s diverse senior population includes immigrants who may face language barriers and be targeted with scams in their native language
- Financial center: Chicago’s status as a financial hub makes investment scams sound more credible to local seniors
- Harsh winters: Long Illinois winters keep seniors indoors and online for extended periods, increasing exposure to digital scams
5-Year Trend: Tech Support Scam Losses in Illinois (2021–2025)
| Year | Victims (60+) | Losses | YoY Change |
| 2021 | 423 | $8.1M | — |
| 2022 | 573 | $22.9M | +184% |
| 2023 | 593 | $23.1M | +1% |
| 2024 | 606 | $22.3M | -3% |
| 2025 | 813 | $34.4M | +54% |
| 5-Year Total | 3,008 | $110.8M | +326% |
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Annual Reports, 2021–2025. Victims and losses for Illinois residents aged 60 and older.
Illinois ranks #9 nationally in tech support scam losses targeting seniors, with $34.4 million lost in 2025 across 813 reported victims. That represents 3.2% of all U.S. tech support scam losses against older adults. Year over year, losses surged +54% — significantly faster than the national average of +5%. Over the full five-year period, tech support scam losses in Illinois grew +326%.
Complete guide: For detailed warning signs, protection strategies, and what to do if you’ve been targeted, read our comprehensive Tech Support Scam Prevention Guide. You can also take our free Online Training courses to test your knowledge.
Report Tech Support Scams in Illinois
- Office of the Illinois Attorney General: (312) 814-3000 | illinoisattorneygeneral.gov
- FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
- FBI IC3: ic3.gov
- Microsoft: microsoft.com/reportascam
Free Training Available
Take our free online course to learn more about protecting yourself from tech support scams:
→ Start Tech Support Scam Awareness Training (Module 2)