Protecting Montana Seniors from Government Impersonation Scams
Government impersonation scams are surging nationwide, and Montana seniors are not immune. In 2025, 45 older adults in Montana reported government impersonation fraud to the FBI. Scammers pose as officials from the IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare, or law enforcement to frighten seniors into sending money or revealing personal information.
Why Montana Seniors Are Targeted
Montana’s population and culture create specific vulnerabilities that government impersonation scammers exploit:
- Vast rural distances: Montana is the 4th-largest state by area with only 1 million people — many seniors live hours from the nearest city or tech support
- Aging ranching communities: Montana’s agricultural seniors often have significant land and savings that attract investment scammers
- Limited broadband: Much of rural Montana lacks reliable internet, reducing seniors’ awareness of online fraud prevention
- Independent culture: Montana’s fiercely independent culture means seniors may try to handle suspicious situations alone rather than seeking help
- Long winters: Harsh Montana winters isolate seniors in remote areas for months, increasing vulnerability to phone and online scams
5-Year Trend: Government Impersonation Scam Losses in Montana (2021–2025)
| Year | Victims (60+) | Losses | YoY Change |
| 2021 | 17 | $5K | — |
| 2022 | 13 | $900 | -81% |
| 2023 | 15 | $38K | +4078% |
| 2024 | 31 | $295K | +684% |
| 2025 | 45 | $1.3M | +335% |
| 5-Year Total | 121 | $1.6M | +27514% |
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Annual Reports, 2021–2025. Victims and losses for Montana residents aged 60 and older.
Montana ranks #37 nationally in government impersonation scam losses targeting seniors, with $1.3 million lost in 2025 across 45 reported victims. Year over year, losses surged +335% — significantly faster than the national average of +95%. Over the full five-year period, government impersonation scam losses in Montana grew +27514%.
Complete guide: For detailed warning signs, protection strategies, and what to do if you’ve been targeted, read our comprehensive Government Impersonation Scam Prevention Guide. You can also take our free Online Training courses to test your knowledge.
Report Government Impersonation Scams in Montana
- Office of the Montana Attorney General: (406) 444-2026 | dojmt.gov
- Social Security OIG: oig.ssa.gov
- IRS: irs.gov/report-phishing
- FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
- FBI IC3: ic3.gov
- Montana Adult Protective Services: (844) 277-9300
Free Training Available
Take our free online course to learn more about protecting yourself from government impersonation scams:
→ Start Government Impersonation Scam Awareness Training (Module 5)