Senior Scam Prevention and Fraud Resources in West Virginia

I. Overview: West Virginia’s Senior Population and Key Cities

State of West Virginia

As of 2024, West Virginia has a population of approximately 1.75 million, with over 360,000 residents aged 65 and older ,  accounting for roughly 20.6% of the population. This ranks West Virginia among the top five states with the highest percentage of older adults.

Due to the state’s largely rural makeup, seniors in West Virginia are often targeted through phone scams, Medicare fraud, tech support hoaxes, fake utility or IRS calls, and romance scams. Limited digital literacy and geographic isolation can make older adults especially vulnerable ,  but awareness, connection, and reporting can stop the cycle.

The top three cities where elder-focused scam reports are most common include:

  • Charleston (approx. 48,000 people)
  • Huntington (approx. 46,000 people)
  • Morgantown (approx. 31,000 people)

II. 2024 Victim Report: How Scammers Targeted West Virginia’s Seniors

In 2024, West Virginia had 594 victims aged 60+ who reported losses totaling $5,790,489.

Loss by Crime Type

Crime TypeLoss Amount
Investment$683,320
Tech Support$770,600
Government Impersonation$804,125
Romance$1,336,635

III. Emergency and Official Contacts

 Local Police Departments – Elder Fraud and Financial Crimes

1. Charleston Police Department – Investigations Division

  • Phone: (304) 348-6400 (non-emergency)
  • Website: charlestonwv.gov
  • Contact for scam, identity theft, or elder financial fraud reports.

2. Huntington Police Department – Financial Crimes

  • Phone: (304) 696-4470 (non-emergency)
  • Website: huntingtonwv.gov
  • Ask for financial crimes or fraud reporting support.

3. Morgantown Police Department – General Inquiries

  • Phone: (304) 284-7454 (non-emergency)
  • Website: morgantownwv.gov
  • Report scams, phishing attempts, or elder abuse.

 FBI and Federal Scam Reporting

FBI Pittsburgh Field Office (serving West Virginia)

  • Phone: (412) 432-4000
  • Website: www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/pittsburgh

Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

  • Website: www.ic3.gov
  • Use to report phishing, online scams, and digital fraud targeting older adults.

 West Virginia Attorney General – Elder Fraud and Consumer Protection

Office of the West Virginia Attorney General – Consumer Protection Division

  • Consumer Protection Hotline: (800) 368-8808
  • Website: ago.wv.gov
  • Provides assistance for scam victims, elder fraud reporting, and complaint resolution.

 Statewide Elder Services and Medicare Fraud Support

West Virginia Adult Protective Services (APS)

  • APS Hotline: (800) 352-6513
  • Website: dhhr.wv.gov
  • Investigates elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.

West Virginia Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)

  • Phone: (304) 347-1371 or (877) 987-3646
  • Website: www.wvsmp.org
  • Supports seniors in identifying and reporting Medicare billing fraud and ID theft.

West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services

  • General Info Line: (877) 987-3646
  • Website: www.wvseniorservices.gov
  • Offers legal assistance, caregiver support, fraud education, and elder rights advocacy.

 Act Early. Protect Yourself and Others.

  • West Virginia seniors lose millions of dollars each year to scams ,  but early reporting can stop the harm.
  • Save these contacts, share them with others, and don’t hesitate to ask for help.
  • Visit our Education Center for practical tools, scam red flags, and how to respond safely.
  • If in doubt, pause and verify. Never share personal information with someone who contacts you unexpectedly.
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