Protecting Arkansas Seniors from Romance Scams
Romance scams are among the most emotionally devastating forms of fraud targeting older adults. In 2025, 139 Arkansas seniors reported romance scam complaints to the FBI. These scams exploit loneliness and the desire for connection, draining victims of their savings while leaving deep emotional wounds.
Why Arkansas Seniors Are Especially Vulnerable
Arkansas’s demographics and culture create specific risk factors for romance scams:
- 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: Romance Scam Losses in Arkansas (2021–2025)
| Year | Victims (60+) | Losses | YoY Change |
| 2021 | 58 | $618K | — |
| 2022 | 65 | $2.5M | +300% |
| 2023 | 74 | $1.2M | -50% |
| 2024 | 125 | $3.4M | +175% |
| 2025 | 139 | $4.3M | +28% |
| 5-Year Total | 461 | $12.1M | +602% |
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Annual Reports, 2021–2025. Victims and losses for Arkansas residents aged 60 and older.
Arkansas ranks #35 nationally in romance scam losses targeting seniors, with $4.3 million lost in 2025 across 139 reported victims. Year over year, losses changed +28%, outperforming the national average of +46%. Over the full five-year period, romance scam losses in Arkansas grew +602%.
Complete guide: For detailed warning signs, protection strategies, and what to do if you’ve been targeted, read our comprehensive Romance Scam Prevention Guide. You can also take our free Online Training courses to test your knowledge.
Report Romance Scams in Arkansas
- Office of the Arkansas Attorney General: (800) 482-8982 | arkansasag.gov
- Arkansas Adult Protective Services: (800) 482-8049
- FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
- FBI IC3: ic3.gov
- Dating platform: Report the profile on the platform where you were contacted
Free Training Available
Take our free online course to learn more about protecting yourself from romance scams:
→ Start Romance Scam Awareness Training (Module 4)