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.
Opinion: online safety warnings shouldn't scare older Mainers offline
An opinion piece in Central Maine argues that constant online-safety warnings, while well-intentioned, can backfire by frightening older residents away from the internet at the exact moment they most need it, for healthcare portals, banking, and government services that increasingly require digital access. The authors do not dispute that the warnings are justified, but argue that fear alone deepens the digital divide rather than closing it. Their proposed fix is not fewer warnings but more support: local connectivity hubs, modeled on programs like SeniorsPlus in Lewiston, that give older residents a trusted, hands-on place to ask questions; continued investment in libraries, senior centers, and schools as anchor points for this kind of help; and an emphasis on human support rather than just devices or apps. The piece cites survey data showing more than 70 percent of seniors would engage with technology programs built specifically for them, suggesting the demand is there when the right support exists. The core message: don't just tell older adults to be careful online, give them a trusted place to learn how.
Read at Central Maine (Kennebec Journal) →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 →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.