Protecting North Dakota Seniors from Government Impersonation Scams
Government impersonation scams are surging nationwide, and North Dakota seniors are not immune. In 2025, 8 older adults in North Dakota 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 North Dakota Seniors Are Targeted
North Dakota’s population and culture create specific vulnerabilities that government impersonation scammers exploit:
- Extreme rural isolation: North Dakota is one of the least densely populated states, with many seniors living far from any in-person services
- Oil wealth: The Bakken oil boom brought wealth to parts of the state, making some seniors targets for investment scams
- Brutal winters: North Dakota’s severe winters keep seniors homebound for months, greatly increasing exposure to phone and online scams
- Agricultural communities: Farming and ranching seniors with land and assets are targeted by scammers pushing fake investments
- Small-town trust: North Dakota’s tight-knit small communities foster a level of trust that scammers exploit through impersonation
5-Year Trend: Government Impersonation Scam Losses in North Dakota (2021–2025)
| Year | Victims (60+) | Losses | YoY Change |
| 2021 | 8 | $175K | — |
| 2022 | 10 | $819K | +369% |
| 2023 | 8 | $110K | -87% |
| 2024 | 10 | $61K | -44% |
| 2025 | 8 | $33K | -46% |
| 5-Year Total | 44 | $1.2M | -81% |
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Annual Reports, 2021–2025. Victims and losses for North Dakota residents aged 60 and older.
North Dakota ranks #52 nationally in government impersonation scam losses targeting seniors, with $32,800 lost in 2025 across 8 reported victims. Year over year, losses changed -46%, outperforming the national average of +95%. Over the full five-year period, government impersonation scam losses in North Dakota grew -81%.
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 North Dakota
- Office of the North Dakota Attorney General: (701) 328-2210 | attorneygeneral.nd.gov
- Social Security OIG: oig.ssa.gov
- IRS: irs.gov/report-phishing
- FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
- FBI IC3: ic3.gov
- North Dakota Aging Services: (855) 462-5465
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)