Protecting Oklahoma Seniors from Tech Support Scams
In 2025, 267 Oklahoma seniors reported tech support scam complaints to the FBI, contributing to total elder fraud losses of $53.3 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 Oklahoma Seniors Are Especially Vulnerable
Oklahoma has unique characteristics that put its senior population at heightened risk:
- Rural state: Much of Oklahoma outside Oklahoma City and Tulsa is deeply rural, with limited access to tech support and consumer protection
- Energy sector retirees: Oklahoma’s oil and gas industry retirees often have substantial savings that investment scammers target
- Native American elders: Oklahoma has the second-largest Native American population, with tribal elders facing unique vulnerabilities
- Southern-Midwestern trust: Oklahoma’s blend of Southern hospitality and Midwestern friendliness makes seniors receptive to scam callers
- Tornado season stress: Scammers exploit natural disaster anxiety with fake FEMA, insurance, and emergency relief scams
What This Scam Looks Like
Tech support scams often begin with a frightening pop-up warning or an unsolicited phone call claiming your computer has been compromised. The caller pressures you to grant remote access or pay for unnecessary “repairs.” In many cases, scammers install software that lets them return to your computer later to steal banking credentials.
5-Year Trend: Tech Support Scam Losses in Oklahoma (2021–2025)
| Year | Victims (60+) | Losses | YoY Change |
| 2021 | 130 | $1.2M | — |
| 2022 | 153 | $4.4M | +251% |
| 2023 | 181 | $2.8M | -37% |
| 2024 | 198 | $4.8M | +73% |
| 2025 | 267 | $7.6M | +59% |
| 5-Year Total | 929 | $20.8M | +511% |
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Annual Reports, 2021–2025. Victims and losses for Oklahoma residents aged 60 and older.
Oklahoma ranks #32 nationally in tech support scam losses targeting seniors, with $7.6 million lost in 2025 across 267 reported victims. Year over year, losses surged +59% — significantly faster than the national average of +5%. Over the full five-year period, tech support scam losses in Oklahoma grew +511%.
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 Oklahoma
- Office of the Oklahoma Attorney General: (405) 521-3921 | oklahoma.gov/oag
- 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)