Protecting Illinois Seniors from Government Impersonation Scams
Government impersonation scams are surging nationwide, and Illinois seniors are not immune. In 2025, 365 older adults in Illinois 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 Illinois Seniors Are Targeted
Illinois’s population and culture create specific vulnerabilities that government impersonation scammers exploit:
- Large senior population: Illinois has over 2 million residents aged 65 and older, creating a massive target pool for scammers
- Urban-rural divide: While Chicago has extensive resources, downstate Illinois is deeply rural with limited access to in-person tech support and financial advisors
- Diverse communities: Illinois’s diverse senior population includes immigrants who may face language barriers and be targeted with scams in their native language
- Financial center: Chicago’s status as a financial hub makes investment scams sound more credible to local seniors
- Harsh winters: Long Illinois winters keep seniors indoors and online for extended periods, increasing exposure to digital scams
5-Year Trend: Government Impersonation Scam Losses in Illinois (2021–2025)
| Year | Victims (60+) | Losses | YoY Change |
| 2021 | 118 | $2.7M | — |
| 2022 | 83 | $5.3M | +92% |
| 2023 | 110 | $6.4M | +22% |
| 2024 | 173 | $9.4M | +46% |
| 2025 | 365 | $16.0M | +71% |
| 5-Year Total | 849 | $39.9M | +484% |
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Annual Reports, 2021–2025. Victims and losses for Illinois residents aged 60 and older.
Illinois ranks #5 nationally in government impersonation scam losses targeting seniors, with $16.0 million lost in 2025 across 365 reported victims. That represents 3.7% of all U.S. government impersonation scam losses against older adults. Year over year, losses changed +71%, outperforming the national average of +95%. Over the full five-year period, government impersonation scam losses in Illinois grew +484%.
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 Illinois
- Office of the Illinois Attorney General: (312) 814-3000 | illinoisattorneygeneral.gov
- Social Security OIG: oig.ssa.gov
- IRS: irs.gov/report-phishing
- FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
- FBI IC3: ic3.gov
- Illinois Adult Protective Services: (866) 800-1409
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)