Protecting Arkansas Seniors from Government Impersonation Scams
Government impersonation scams are surging nationwide, and Arkansas seniors are not immune. In 2025, 130 older adults in Arkansas 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 Arkansas Seniors Are Targeted
Arkansas’s population and culture create specific vulnerabilities that government impersonation scammers exploit:
- High elderly poverty: Arkansas has one of the highest elderly poverty rates in the nation, making seniors more desperate and vulnerable to financial promises
- Rural population: Over 44% of Arkansans live in rural areas with limited access to in-person tech help and financial advisors
- Southern trust culture: Arkansas’s friendly, neighborly culture means seniors are more likely to trust callers who sound helpful and polite
- Limited broadband: Many rural Arkansas counties lack reliable internet, meaning seniors have less exposure to online fraud awareness resources
- Growing elderly population: Arkansas’s 65-and-over population is growing faster than the state average, creating more potential targets each year
5-Year Trend: Government Impersonation Scam Losses in Arkansas (2021–2025)
| Year | Victims (60+) | Losses | YoY Change |
| 2021 | 26 | $119K | — |
| 2022 | 21 | $14K | -88% |
| 2023 | 25 | $94K | +585% |
| 2024 | 86 | $1.0M | +1012% |
| 2025 | 130 | $1.2M | +16% |
| 5-Year Total | 288 | $2.5M | +923% |
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Annual Reports, 2021–2025. Victims and losses for Arkansas residents aged 60 and older.
Arkansas ranks #38 nationally in government impersonation scam losses targeting seniors, with $1.2 million lost in 2025 across 130 reported victims. Year over year, losses changed +16%, outperforming the national average of +95%. Over the full five-year period, government impersonation scam losses in Arkansas grew +923%.
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 Arkansas
- Office of the Arkansas Attorney General: (800) 482-8982 | arkansasag.gov
- Social Security OIG: oig.ssa.gov
- IRS: irs.gov/report-phishing
- FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
- FBI IC3: ic3.gov
- Arkansas Adult Protective Services: (800) 482-8049
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)