Protecting Nebraska Seniors from Government Impersonation Scams
Government impersonation scams are surging nationwide, and Nebraska seniors are not immune. In 2025, 64 older adults in Nebraska reported government impersonation fraud to the FBI. Scammers pose as officials from the IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare, or law enforcement to frighten seniors into sending money or revealing personal information.
Why Nebraska Seniors Are Targeted
Nebraska’s population and culture create specific vulnerabilities that government impersonation scammers exploit:
- Respect for authority: Nebraska seniors tend to take government communications seriously and may be less likely to question someone claiming to represent a federal agency
- Rural phone reliance: In areas with limited internet access, seniors rely heavily on phone calls — the primary channel for government impersonation scams
- Social Security dependence: Many Nebraska retirees depend on Social Security as a primary income source, making threats to “suspend” their benefits especially frightening
- Medicare enrollment concerns: With Nebraska’s aging population, Medicare-related scams are effective because seniors worry about losing their healthcare coverage
- Caller ID spoofing: Scammers display legitimate-looking 402 or 308 area codes, making calls appear to come from local Nebraska government offices
5-Year Trend: Government Impersonation Scam Losses in Nebraska (2021–2025)
| Year | Victims (60+) | Losses | YoY Change |
| 2021 | 19 | $31K | — |
| 2022 | 19 | $865K | +2691% |
| 2023 | 24 | $160K | -81% |
| 2024 | 29 | $336K | +110% |
| 2025 | 64 | $509K | +52% |
| 5-Year Total | 155 | $1.9M | +1542% |
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Annual Reports, 2021–2025. Victims and losses for Nebraska residents aged 60 and older.
Nebraska ranks #45 nationally in government impersonation scam losses targeting seniors, with $508,970 lost in 2025 across 64 reported victims. Year over year, losses changed +52%, outperforming the national average of +95%. Over the full five-year period, government impersonation scam losses in Nebraska grew +1542%.
Complete guide: For detailed warning signs, protection strategies, and what to do if you’ve been targeted, read our comprehensive Government Impersonation Scam Prevention Guide. You can also take our free Online Training courses to test your knowledge.
Report Government Impersonation Scams in Nebraska
- Office of the Nebraska Attorney General: (402) 471-2682 | protectthegoodlife.nebraska.gov
- Social Security OIG: oig.ssa.gov
- IRS: irs.gov/report-phishing
- FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
- FBI IC3: ic3.gov
- Nebraska Adult Protective Services: (800) 652-1999
Free Training Available
Take our free online course to learn more about protecting yourself from government impersonation scams:
→ Start Government Impersonation Scam Awareness Training (Module 5)