Senior Scam Prevention and Fraud Resources in North Dakota
North Dakota seniors reported $6 million in elder fraud losses to the FBI in 2025, with 251 victims aged 60 and older. This page provides North Dakota-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: North Dakota’s Senior Population and Key Cities
As of 2024, North Dakota has a population of approximately 780,000, with over 150,000 residents aged 65 and older, representing 19.2% of the total population. Many seniors in North Dakota live in small towns or rural areas, where limited internet access, geographic isolation, and unfamiliarity with digital tools can increase their exposure to fraud.
North Dakota has the lowest elder fraud losses and the lowest per-capita victim rate in the entire country. In 2025, losses totaled $5.9 million with 251 victims. Four crime categories decreased: investment fell 51%, government impersonation dropped 46%, and extortion declined 21%. Tech support held nearly flat (+9%). These trends may signal effective awareness or reporting.
The cities with the highest concentrations of seniors and reported scam activity are:
- Fargo (approx. 135,000 people)
- Bismarck (approx. 75,000 people)
- Grand Forks (approx. 60,000 people)
II. 2025 Victim Report: How Scammers Targeted North Dakota’s Seniors
In 2025, North Dakota had 251 victims aged 60+ who reported losses totaling $5,895,155 — up 44% in victims and 2% in losses compared to 2024 (174 victims / $6M).
Loss by Crime Type
| Crime Type | 2025 Loss | 2024 Loss | Change |
| Investment | $1,502,039 | $3,043,840 | -51% |
| Tech Support | $1,293,253 | $1,191,657 | +9% |
| Romance | $513,450 | $541,036 | -5% |
| Lottery/Sweepstakes | $162,550 | $0 | New |
| Extortion | $9,450 | $12,000 | -21% |
| Government Impersonation | $32,800 | $61,000 | -46% |
Elder Fraud Loss Trajectory — North Dakota
5-Year Elder Fraud Trend — North Dakota (2021—2025)
| Year | Victims (60+) | Total Loss | YoY Change | Nat’l Rank |
| 2021 | 132 | $2,782,675 | — | #48 |
| 2022 | 109 | $3,054,570 | +10% | #51 |
| 2023 | 127 | $4,405,702 | +44% | #50 |
| 2024 | 174 | $5,781,845 | +31% | #51 |
| 2025 | 251 | $5,895,155 | +2% | #52 |
| 5-Year Total | 793 | $21,919,947 | +112% (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 North Dakota Seniors (2025 vs. 5-Year)
| Crime Type | 2025 Victims | 2025 Loss | 5-Year Total | Growth (2021—25) |
| Investment | 22 | $1,502,039 | $5,949,690 | +3,155% |
| Tech Support | 37 | $1,293,253 | $3,778,443 | +791% |
| BEC | 4 | $673,934 | $2,030,464 | New |
| Romance | 20 | $513,450 | $2,200,656 | New |
| Lottery/Sweepstakes | 6 | $162,550 | $963,755 | -64% |
| Gov. Impersonation | 8 | $32,800 | $1,197,780 | -81% |
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: North Dakota’s elder fraud losses totaled $5.9 million in 2025, essentially flat (+2%) from 2024, with 251 seniors victimized (+44%). The most notable pattern: four crime categories decreased — investment scams fell 51% (from $3 million to $1.5 million), government impersonation dropped 46%, extortion declined 21%, and romance scams dipped 5%. Tech support held nearly flat (+9%). Only lottery/sweepstakes ($163K, new) showed growth. Approximately 1 in every 3,173 North Dakota residents aged 60+ reported being a victim.
National context: North Dakota ranks last in both total losses (#52) and per-capita victim rate (#51) at 31.51 per 100,000. An individual North Dakota senior is the least likely in the nation to report being victimized. The four declining categories are nearly unique nationally — most states saw broad increases. While the small population means these figures can shift dramatically, the overall pattern suggests North Dakota’s seniors are either less exposed, more aware, or both.
For the full national picture, including how North Dakota compares to every other state, visit our national hub page with interactive data and rankings.
III. Emergency & Official Contacts
Local Police Departments – Elder Fraud and Financial Crimes
1. Fargo Police Department – Investigations Division
- Phone: (701) 235-4493 (non-emergency)
- Website: fargopolice.com
- Handles elder fraud, ID theft, and cybercrime reports.
2. Bismarck Police Department – Criminal Investigations
- Phone: (701) 223-1212
- Website: bismarcknd.gov
- Contact for scam complaints and financial exploitation investigations.
3. Grand Forks Police Department
- Phone: (701) 787-8000
- Website: grandforksgov.com
- Offers assistance for fraud victims and elder protection.
FBI and Federal Scam Reporting
FBI Minneapolis Field Office (covers North Dakota)
- Phone: (763) 569-8000
- Website: www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/minneapolis
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
- Website: www.ic3.gov
- Submit reports for phishing, romance fraud, identity theft, and tech support scams.
North Dakota Attorney General – Consumer Protection Division
Office of the Attorney General – Consumer Protection
- Consumer Hotline: (800) 472-2600
- Website: attorneygeneral.nd.gov
- Provides scam alerts, mediation services, and fraud education.
Elder Services and Medicare Fraud Support
North Dakota Adult Protective Services (APS)
- Reporting Line: (855) 462-5465, option 2
- Website: www.nd.gov/dhs/services/adultsaging/aps.html
- Investigates elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.
North Dakota Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
- Phone: (800) 233-1737
- Website: ndcpd.org/smp
- Assists with Medicare billing fraud and teaches seniors to detect healthcare scams.
North Dakota Aging Services Division – Department of Human Services
- Info Line: (701) 328-4601
- Website: nd.gov/dhs/services/adultsaging
- Offers statewide elder care coordination, legal resources, and scam prevention support.
Stay Alert. Ask Questions. Report Quickly.
- Seniors in North Dakota lose millions annually to avoidable scams , but early detection can prevent further harm.
- Never share personal or financial information with unknown callers or messages.
- Visit our Education Center to access step-by-step scam prevention guides, warning signs, and reporting checklists.
- Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, it probably is. Help is just a call away.
IV. Learn More: North Dakota Scam Prevention Guides
Explore North Dakota-specific guides on the most common scams targeting seniors in your state:
- Tech Support Scams in North Dakota — Learn to recognize fake pop-ups, phone calls, and remote access schemes.
- Investment Scams in North Dakota — Protect your retirement savings from fraudulent advisors and crypto scams.
- Romance Scams in North Dakota — Spot the warning signs of fake online relationships designed to steal money.
- Government Impersonation Scams in North Dakota — Know what real government agencies will never ask you to do.
- How to Report Scams in North Dakota — 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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