Senior Scam Prevention and Fraud Resources in Delaware
Delaware seniors reported $16 million in elder fraud losses to the FBI in 2025, with 796 victims aged 60 and older. This page provides Delaware-specific scam prevention resources, official reporting contacts, and five years of FBI elder fraud data for the state.
Already been scammed? Read our First 24 Hours Emergency Guide for critical steps to take immediately.
I. Overview: Delaware’s Senior Population and Key Cities
As of 2024, Delaware has a population of approximately 1.02 million, with over 210,000 residents aged 65 and older , making up more than 20% of the total population. Delaware’s senior population is growing faster than the national average, with many retirees settling in coastal and suburban areas.
Older adults in Delaware face disproportionate risk — the state has the #5 highest per-capita victim rate in the nation. In 2025, losses reached $16 million. Investment scams led at $7.2 million (+86%), and government impersonation surged 471% to $1.1 million. Lottery/sweepstakes dropped 71%.
The three largest cities where elder scam reports are most common are:
- Wilmington (approx. 70,000 people)
- Dover (approx. 40,000 people)
- Newark (approx. 31,000 people)
II. 2025 Victim Report: How Scammers Targeted Delaware’s Seniors
In 2025, Delaware had 796 victims aged 60+ who reported losses totaling $16,189,240 — up 55% in victims and 32% in losses compared to 2024 (514 victims / $12M).
Loss by Crime Type
| Crime Type | 2025 Loss | 2024 Loss | Change |
| Investment | $7,174,698 | $3,852,275 | +86% |
| Tech Support | $2,924,979 | $2,540,564 | +15% |
| Romance | $1,686,893 | $967,449 | +74% |
| Lottery/Sweepstakes | $64,075 | $217,891 | -71% |
| Extortion | $3,628 | $0 | New |
| Government Impersonation | $1,070,568 | $187,370 | +471% |
Elder Fraud Loss Trajectory — Delaware
5-Year Elder Fraud Trend — Delaware (2021—2025)
| Year | Victims (60+) | Total Loss | YoY Change | Nat’l Rank |
| 2021 | 344 | $5,769,966 | — | #37 |
| 2022 | 305 | $14,023,134 | +143% | #38 |
| 2023 | 313 | $15,363,401 | +10% | #35 |
| 2024 | 514 | $12,293,619 | -20% | #44 |
| 2025 | 796 | $16,189,240 | +32% | #46 |
| 5-Year Total | 2,272 | $63,639,360 | +181% (2021—2025) | — |
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Annual Reports, 2021—2025. Covers victims aged 60 and older. National rank is by total dollar loss among 52 states/territories. National totals: $1.6B (2021), $3.0B (2022), $3.3B (2023), $4.7B (2024), $7.4B (2025) — $20.1 billion stolen from American seniors over five years.
Top Crime Types Targeting Delaware Seniors (2025 vs. 5-Year)
| Crime Type | 2025 Victims | 2025 Loss | 5-Year Total | Growth (2021—25) |
| Investment | 36 | $7,174,698 | $15,252,934 | +820% |
| Tech Support | 114 | $2,924,979 | $10,572,603 | +715% |
| Romance | 41 | $1,686,893 | $5,409,089 | New |
| Gov. Impersonation | 34 | $1,070,568 | $9,028,671 | +3,865% |
| Personal Data Breach | 64 | $1,060,952 | $5,302,211 | +109% |
| BEC | 18 | $280,541 | $7,067,864 | New |
Top 6 crime types by 2025 losses. Growth calculated from 2021 to 2025. For national crime type trends, see our Crime Type Migration Analysis.
What the data reveals: Delaware’s elder fraud losses reached $16 million in 2025, with 796 seniors victimized. Investment scams grew 86% to $7.2 million. Government impersonation surged 471% from $187K to $1.1 million — one of the steepest increases in this category nationally. Romance scams rose 74% and tech support 15%. Lottery/sweepstakes dropped 71%. Approximately 1 in every 1,321 Delaware residents aged 60+ reported being a victim.
National context: Delaware ranks #5 in per-capita victim rate (75.67 per 100,000), despite ranking only #46 in total losses. This means an individual Delaware senior is more likely to be targeted than those in California, Texas, Florida, or New York. Delaware’s small geography and concentrated senior population may make it easier for scammers to target multiple victims through the same channels.
For the full national picture, including how Delaware compares to every other state, visit our national hub page with interactive data and rankings.
III. Emergency and Official Contacts
Local Police Departments – Elder Fraud and Financial Crimes
1. Wilmington Police Department – Investigative Services Division
- Phone: (302) 654-5151 (non-emergency)
- Website: wilmingtonde.gov
- Handles financial crimes and elder fraud complaints.
2. Dover Police Department – Criminal Investigations
- Phone: (302) 736-7111 (non-emergency)
- Website: doverpolice.org
- Contact for scam reports, identity theft, and abuse of older adults.
3. Newark Police Department – General Inquiries
- Phone: (302) 366-7111 (non-emergency)
- Website: newarkde.gov
- Responds to consumer fraud, tech scams, and elder exploitation reports.
FBI and Federal Scam Reporting
FBI Baltimore Field Office (covers Delaware)
- Phone: (410) 265-8080
- Website: www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/baltimore
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
- Website: www.ic3.gov
- Use to report online scams, phishing, tech support hoaxes, and financial fraud.
Delaware Attorney General – Elder Fraud and Consumer Protection
Delaware Department of Justice – Senior Protection Initiative
- Consumer Protection Hotline: (800) 220-5424
- Website: attorneygeneral.delaware.gov
- Investigates scams, abuse, and financial exploitation targeting seniors. Offers complaint forms and guidance.
Statewide Elder Services and Medicare Fraud Support
Delaware Adult Protective Services (APS)
- APS Reporting Line: (800) 223-9074
- Website: dhss.delaware.gov
- Investigates elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including financial fraud.
Delaware Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
- Phone: (800) 223-9074
- Website: smpresource.org (search “Delaware SMP”)
- Helps seniors identify and report Medicare fraud, billing errors, and identity misuse.
Delaware Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD)
- Main Line: (800) 223-9074
- Website: dhss.delaware.gov
- Provides elder rights advocacy, fraud prevention education, caregiver support, and legal aid.
Protect Yourself and Loved Ones
- Delaware seniors lose millions of dollars each year to preventable scams.
- Reporting early helps protect not just yourself, but your entire community.
- Visit our Education Center to explore common fraud types, learn how to respond, and report scams safely.
- If something seems suspicious, don’t engage. Stop. Ask. Report.
IV. Learn More: Delaware Scam Prevention Guides
Explore Delaware-specific guides on the most common scams targeting seniors in your state:
- Tech Support Scams in Delaware — Learn to recognize fake pop-ups, phone calls, and remote access schemes.
- Investment Scams in Delaware — Protect your retirement savings from fraudulent advisors and crypto scams.
- Romance Scams in Delaware — Spot the warning signs of fake online relationships designed to steal money.
- Government Impersonation Scams in Delaware — Know what real government agencies will never ask you to do.
- How to Report Scams in Delaware — Step-by-step guide to reporting fraud and starting recovery.
For national-level data on each scam type, see our Investment, Tech Support, Romance, and Government Impersonation national guides.
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