Senior Scam Prevention and Fraud Resources in Maine
Maine seniors reported $23 million in elder fraud losses to the FBI in 2025, with 721 victims aged 60 and older. This page provides Maine-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: Maine’s Senior Population and Key Cities
As of 2024, Maine has a population of approximately 1.34 million, with over 300,000 residents aged 65 and older, representing about 22.4% of the total population. This gives Maine the highest percentage of seniors among all U.S. states.
Due to its aging population and rural communities, Maine’s seniors face evolving threats. In 2025, losses reached $23 million. Tech support fraud surged 162% to $6.3 million, the second-largest fraud category in the state. Investment scams grew 92% to $10 million. Government impersonation dropped 79% — one of the steepest declines nationally. Education and timely reporting remain essential.
The three largest cities where elder scam activity is most often reported are:
- Portland (approx. 68,000 people)
- Lewiston (approx. 37,000 people)
- Bangor (approx. 31,000 people)
II. 2025 Victim Report: How Scammers Targeted Maine’s Seniors
In 2025, Maine had 721 victims aged 60+ who reported losses totaling $23,317,413 — up 19% in victims and 80% in losses compared to 2024 (608 victims / $13M).
Loss by Crime Type
| Crime Type | 2025 Loss | 2024 Loss | Change |
| Investment | $10,479,890 | $5,450,171 | +92% |
| Tech Support | $6,256,335 | $2,384,469 | +162% |
| Romance | $759,340 | $625,586 | +21% |
| Lottery/Sweepstakes | $253,619 | $225,335 | +13% |
| Extortion | $13,479 | $22,973 | -41% |
| Government Impersonation | $313,613 | $1,461,458 | -79% |
Elder Fraud Loss Trajectory — Maine
5-Year Elder Fraud Trend — Maine (2021—2025)
| Year | Victims (60+) | Total Loss | YoY Change | Nat’l Rank |
| 2021 | 377 | $2,097,770 | — | #52 |
| 2022 | 459 | $12,741,072 | +507% | #40 |
| 2023 | 397 | $7,162,225 | -44% | #47 |
| 2024 | 608 | $12,980,616 | +81% | #43 |
| 2025 | 721 | $23,317,413 | +80% | #42 |
| 5-Year Total | 2,562 | $58,299,096 | +1012% (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: $1.7B (2021), $3.1B (2022), $3.4B (2023), $4.9B (2024), $7.7B (2025) — $20.8 billion stolen from American seniors over five years.
Top Crime Types Targeting Maine Seniors (2025 vs. 5-Year)
| Crime Type | 2025 Victims | 2025 Loss | 5-Year Total | Growth (2021—25) |
| Investment | 51 | $10,479,890 | $19,999,084 | +7,333% |
| Tech Support | 116 | $6,256,335 | $16,123,407 | +1,275% |
| BEC | 21 | $1,618,649 | $5,134,867 | +634% |
| Romance | 51 | $759,340 | $4,623,528 | +168% |
| Personal Data Breach | 42 | $370,518 | $857,671 | +427% |
| Gov. Impersonation | 35 | $313,613 | $2,901,145 | +16% |
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: Maine’s elder fraud losses reached $23 million in 2025, with 721 seniors victimized. Investment scams grew 92% to $10 million. The standout: tech support fraud surged 162% to $6.3 million, becoming the #2 crime type. Government impersonation plunged 79% from $1.5 million to $314K — one of the steepest declines in any category nationally. Lottery/sweepstakes rose 13% to $254K, a modest total. Statewide, that comes to roughly one senior victim for every 1,949 Maine residents.
National context: Maine ranks #36 in per-capita victim rate (51.32 per 100,000), near the national midpoint. The 79% government impersonation decline is among the steeper declines in the country, suggesting effective enforcement or awareness targeting this scam type. However, the 162% tech support surge indicates scammers may be shifting to other tactics.
For the full national picture, including how Maine 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. Portland Police Department – Criminal Investigations
- Phone: (207) 874-8575 (non-emergency)
- Website: portlandmaine.gov
- Contact for financial fraud, scams, and suspicious calls.
2. Lewiston Police Department – General Inquiries
- Phone: (207) 513-3001 ext. 3324 (non-emergency dispatch)
- Website: lewistonmaine.gov
- Assists with scam reports and elder financial exploitation cases.
3. Bangor Police Department – Community Policing
- Phone: (207) 947-7382 (non-emergency)
- Website: bangormaine.gov
- Report fraud, identity theft, or phone scams targeting seniors.
FBI and Federal Scam Reporting
FBI Boston Field Office (serving Maine)
- Phone: (857) 386-2000
- Website: www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/boston
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
- Website: www.ic3.gov
- Use to report phishing, online scams, and tech support fraud.
Maine Attorney General – Elder Fraud and Consumer Protection
Office of the Maine Attorney General – Consumer Protection Division
- Consumer Protection Hotline: (207) 626-8849
- Website: www.maine.gov/ag
- Handles complaints of elder scams, telemarketing fraud, and financial abuse.
Statewide Elder Services and Medicare Fraud Support
Maine Adult Protective Services (APS)
- APS Reporting Line: (800) 624-8404 (24/7)
- Website: www.maine.gov/dhhs
- Investigates elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.
Maine Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
- Phone: (877) 353-3771
- Website: mainelse.org/content/maine-smp
- Helps identify and report Medicare billing fraud and scams.
Maine Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS)
- Info Line: (207) 287-9200
- Website: www.maine.gov/dhhs/oads
- Provides statewide services for elder safety, advocacy, and fraud prevention.
You’re Not Alone , Speak Up Early
- Maine seniors lose millions each year to scams. Many cases go unreported due to embarrassment or fear.
- Report suspicious activity right away. The sooner you act, the better the chance of stopping it.
- Visit our Education Center to explore red flags, real-world examples, and how to respond safely.
- Slow Down. Don’t pay. Don’t share. Talk to someone you trust.
Recent Maine scam news
Recent news coverage of scams affecting Maine seniors, updated from our alerts desk. Each item links to the original outlet; victims and defendants are kept anonymous.
Maine sees spike in senior fraud cases as scammers get more sophisticated
Maine residents over 60 lost nearly $11 million to fraud in 2025, a 67 percent jump from the year before.
Read at 92 Moose →York County Senior Safety Fair helps older adults spot scams, stay safe on the road
A Maine safety fair gave older adults hands-on help to recognize scams and stay safe both online and on the road.
Read at Portsmouth Herald →Senator: Maine sheriffs are key allies in scam prevention
A U.S. senator says Maine sheriffs are vital partners in protecting seniors from scams.
Read at Seacoastonline →New federal bill would let banks hold transactions up to 90 days to stop wire fraud against seniors
A member of Congress has introduced the Protecting Elders from Wire Fraud Act, which would let banks place a hold of up to 90 days on a transaction leaving a senior's account when financial exploitation is suspected, giving time to determine whether the transaction is legitimate. The bill would also require financial institutions to notify a trusted contact associated with the account when a hold is placed, and it would give banks safe harbor from liability when they act in good faith to prevent a suspected scam. Supporters point to FTC data showing $334 million lost to wire fraud in 2025. The bill is still in the early stages of the legislative process, with no funding details, effective date, or committee action yet reported. The takeaway for families: ask your own bank whether it already offers a trusted-contact option or a hold policy for suspicious transactions, since these tools are becoming more common even before any new federal law passes.
Read at Antelope Valley Press →IRS warns of rising senior scams ahead of National Grandparents Day
Ahead of National Grandparents Day, the IRS and federal investigators are warning that scams targeting older adults keep evolving. In "grandparent scams," callers pose as a grandchild claiming to be hospitalized, in an accident, or under arrest, demanding money right away and pressuring the victim not to contact police or other family members to check the story. In a newer twist on romance scams, criminals target widows and widowers on dating sites, build a relationship over time, then claim an overseas emergency, sometimes using AI to alter their voice or appearance on video calls; victims never meet them in person and only ever send money. Common warning signs across both: contact you did not initiate, requests for personal or financial information, and pressure to act immediately. If you get a call or message like this, slow down, hang up, call the family member directly using a number you already have, and never send money or personal information based on an unverified emergency claim. Report suspected fraud to the National Elder Fraud Hotline, the FBI's IC3.gov, or the DOJ's Elder Justice Initiative.
Read at KATV →Seven Medicare fraud red flags to watch for after CMS blocked $1.6 billion in improper payments
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services says enforcement actions have stopped more than $1.6 billion in potentially improper Medicare laboratory payments, part of a broader crackdown on Medicare billing fraud. Consumer red flags to watch for include: someone asking for your Medicare number in exchange for a "free" test or product, a lab test or medical equipment showing up that you never ordered, a caller claiming Medicare "wants" you to get something, anyone offering cash, gift cards, or other perks for your Medicare information, a statement listing a diagnosis or service that doesn't make sense, or pressure to ask your doctor for something you don't need. The advice: compare your Medicare claims against your own appointment calendar and receipts, review your Medicare Summary Notice regularly, check your claims through your secure Medicare account online, and report anything suspicious to 1-800-MEDICARE or your state's Senior Medicare Patrol.
Read at Saving Advice →IV. Learn More: Maine Scam Prevention Guides
Explore Maine-specific guides on the most common scams targeting seniors in your state:
- Tech Support Scams in Maine — Learn to recognize fake pop-ups, phone calls, and remote access schemes.
- Investment Scams in Maine — Protect your retirement savings from fraudulent advisors and crypto scams.
- Romance Scams in Maine — Spot the warning signs of fake online relationships designed to steal money.
- Government Impersonation Scams in Maine — Know what real government agencies will never ask you to do.
- How to Report Scams in Maine — 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.
See how Maine compares. Curious where Maine ranks in the national picture? Stolen Trust, our 2026 special study, ranks every state and territory using five years of FBI data and lays out one practical plan to fix elder fraud.