Senior Scam Prevention & Fraud Resources in Illinois
I. Overview: Illinois’ Senior Population & Key Cities
Illinois is the sixth most populous state in the U.S., with a 2024 estimated population of 12.5 million. Of these residents, about 2.1 million are aged 65 and older, making up 16.8% of the state’s total population. As Illinois’ population ages, the number of fraud cases targeting older adults continues to rise, especially online scams, phishing, tech support fraud, and impersonation schemes.
The state’s three most populous cities are:
- Chicago (approx. 2.7 million people)
- Aurora (approx. 180,000 people)
- Naperville (approx. 150,000 people)
These cities are home to growing senior communities and experience some of the highest fraud activity in the state. Local efforts to protect older adults depend heavily on awareness, early reporting, and coordinated response.
II. 2024 Victim Report: How Scammers Targeted Illinois’ Seniors
In 2024, Illinois had 6,064 victims aged 60+ who reported losses totaling $133,794,241.
Loss by Crime Type
| Crime Type | Loss Amount |
| Investment | $57,486,686 |
| Tech Support | $22,291,747 |
| Government Impersonation | $9,407,033 |
| Romance | $12,182,142 |
II. Emergency & Official Contacts
Local Police Departments – Fraud & Elder Services
1. Chicago Police Department – Financial Crimes Unit
- Phone: (312) 746-6000 (non-emergency)
- Website: home.chicagopolice.org
- Tip: Ask to be connected to the Financial Crimes Division or Elder Services.
2. Aurora Police Department – Fraud & Scam Reporting
- Phone: (630) 256-5000 (non-emergency)
- Website: www.aurora-il.org
- Tip: Request to speak to a financial crimes or elder outreach officer.
3. Naperville Police Department – Senior Services Team
- Phone: (630) 420-6666 (non-emergency)
- Website: www.naperville.il.us
- Specialized units work on elder abuse, scams, and public education.
FBI & Federal Reporting Tools
FBI Chicago Field Office
- Phone: (312) 421-6700
- Website: www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/chicago
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
- Website: www.ic3.gov
- Use to report scams, phishing, investment fraud, or romance fraud online.
Illinois Attorney General – Elder Fraud Division
Office of the Illinois Attorney General – Senior Citizens Consumer Fraud Bureau
- Senior Fraud Hotline: (800) 243-5377
- General Consumer Fraud: (800) 386-5438
- Website: www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov
- Offers direct support, fraud alerts, scam tracking, and case assistance for elder victims.
Other Official Support Services for Older Adults
Illinois Adult Protective Services (APS)
- Statewide 24/7 Hotline: (866) 800-1409
- TTY: (888) 206-1327
- Website: www.dhs.state.il.us
- APS investigates reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of seniors.
Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) – Illinois
- Phone: (800) 699-9043
- Website: www.illinoissmp.org
- Provides education on Medicare fraud, medical identity theft, and overbilling schemes.
Illinois Department on Aging – Senior Helpline
- Phone: (800) 252-8966
- Website: www.illinois.gov/aging
City of Chicago – Senior Services Hotline
- Phone: (312) 744-4016
- Website: www.chicago.gov/aging
- Connects seniors to benefits, legal aid, scam prevention workshops, and APS.
Prevention Starts with You
- Save these numbers or print and post them where you or loved ones can easily access them.
- If you or someone you care about suspects a scam, call early, don’t wait.
- Visit our Learning Center to understand the red flags of online fraud and how to respond.
- Illinois seniors lose millions annually to scams — but informed communities are powerful defense systems.
Share Your Story
Have you or a loved one experienced a scam, or stopped one just in time? Your story could help protect someone else.
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