Senior Scam Prevention and Fraud Resources in Mississippi
I. Overview: Mississippi’s Senior Population and Key Cities
As of 2024, Mississippi has a population of approximately 2.9 million, with over 510,000 residents aged 65 and older , accounting for about 17.6% of the total population. Many older adults live in small towns or rural areas, which can make them especially vulnerable to scammers who use phone, mail, or online tactics to commit fraud.
Common scams reported by Mississippi seniors include Medicare fraud, romance scams, sweepstakes and lottery fraud, fake IRS or Social Security calls, and tech support hoaxes. Timely reporting and access to trusted local contacts are key to stopping these schemes.
The top three cities with the largest senior populations and highest reported scam activity are:
- Jackson (approx. 145,000 people)
- Gulfport (approx. 72,000 people)
- Southaven (approx. 56,000 people)
II. 2024 Victim Report: How Scammers Targeted Mississippi’s Seniors
In 2024, Mississippi had 604 victims aged 60+ who reported losses totaling $28,870,444.
Loss by Crime Type
| Crime Type | Loss Amount |
| Investment | $4,295,035 |
| Tech Support | $1,822,203 |
| Government Impersonation | $143,540 |
| Romance | $1,941,479 |
III. Emergency and Official Contacts
Local Police Departments – Elder Fraud and Financial Crimes
1. Jackson Police Department – Investigations Division
- Phone: (601) 960-1234 (non-emergency)
- Website: jacksonms.gov
- Contact for reporting scams, identity theft, or suspicious financial activity.
2. Gulfport Police Department – Criminal Investigations
- Phone: (228) 868-5959 (non-emergency)
- Website: gulfport-ms.gov
- Assists with fraud, elder abuse, and scam reports.
3. Southaven Police Department – General Inquiries
- Phone: (662) 393-8652 (non-emergency)
- Website: southaven.org
- Offers support for scam and elder fraud reporting.
FBI and Federal Scam Reporting
FBI Jackson Field Office (serving all of Mississippi)
- Phone: (601) 948-5000
- Website: www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/jackson
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
- Website: www.ic3.gov
- Use to report phishing, online scams, tech fraud, and digital financial crimes.
Mississippi Attorney General – Elder Fraud and Consumer Protection
Office of the Mississippi Attorney General – Consumer Protection Division
- Consumer Protection Hotline: (800) 281-4418
- Website: www.ago.state.ms.us
- Offers scam alerts, complaint forms, and assistance for elder financial abuse.
Statewide Elder Services and Medicare Fraud Support
Mississippi Adult Protective Services (APS)
- To report elder abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation:
APS Hotline: (844) 437-6282 - Website: www.mdhs.ms.gov
- Coordinates investigations and intervention for at-risk older adults.
Mississippi Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
- Phone: (877) 272-8720
- Website: www.mississippismp.org
- Helps identify Medicare fraud, overbilling, and health-related scams.
Mississippi Department of Human Services – Aging and Adult Services
- Info Line: (800) 948-3090
- Website: www.mdhs.ms.gov
- Provides elder advocacy, caregiver support, legal assistance, and scam prevention education.
Know the Signs. Report Early.
- Mississippi seniors lose millions annually to scams, often from calls, texts, or deceptive ads.
- Stay alert. Save these contacts. Share with family and community members.
- Visit our Education Center to learn common red flags and safe response strategies.
- You have the right to pause, verify, and protect yourself. Help is just one call away.
Share Your Story
Have you or a loved one experienced a scam, or stopped one just in time? Your story could help protect someone else.
Share Your Story