Protecting California Seniors from Tech Support Scams
In 2025, 2,783 California seniors reported tech support scam complaints to the FBI, contributing to total elder fraud losses of $1.4 billion statewide. Tech support scams are among the most common and devastating forms of fraud targeting older adults. This guide will help you recognize, avoid, and report tech support scams.
Why California Seniors Are Especially Vulnerable
California has unique characteristics that put its senior population at heightened risk:
- Largest senior population: California has over 6 million residents aged 65+, giving scammers the largest target pool in the nation
- Extreme wealth concentration: Silicon Valley, Hollywood, and coastal real estate create high-value retirees who are prime targets for investment and tech support scams
- Diverse immigrant communities: California’s large immigrant senior population faces language barriers and is targeted with scams in Mandarin, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Korean
- Wildfire and disaster vulnerability: Seniors in fire-prone areas are targeted by scammers posing as FEMA, insurance adjusters, and disaster relief organizations
- Tech industry false confidence: Proximity to Silicon Valley gives some seniors overconfidence in their tech savvy, making them less cautious with suspicious links and popups
5-Year Trend: Tech Support Scam Losses in California (2021–2025)
| Year | Victims (60+) | Losses | YoY Change |
| 2021 | 1,851 | $37.6M | — |
| 2022 | 2,504 | $92.7M | +147% |
| 2023 | 2,417 | $107.3M | +16% |
| 2024 | 2,266 | $191.1M | +78% |
| 2025 | 2,783 | $169.5M | -11% |
| 5-Year Total | 11,821 | $598.1M | +351% |
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Annual Reports, 2021–2025. Victims and losses for California residents aged 60 and older.
California ranks #1 nationally in tech support scam losses targeting seniors, with $169.5 million lost in 2025 across 2,783 reported victims. That represents 15.9% of all U.S. tech support scam losses against older adults. Year over year, losses changed -11%, outperforming the national average of +5%. Over the full five-year period, tech support scam losses in California grew +351%.
Complete guide: For detailed warning signs, protection strategies, and what to do if you’ve been targeted, read our comprehensive Tech Support Scam Prevention Guide. You can also take our free Online Training courses to test your knowledge.
Report Tech Support Scams in California
- Office of the California Attorney General: (916) 445-9555 | oag.ca.gov
- FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
- FBI IC3: ic3.gov
- Microsoft: microsoft.com/reportascam
Free Training Available
Take our free online course to learn more about protecting yourself from tech support scams:
→ Start Tech Support Scam Awareness Training (Module 2)