Senior Scam Prevention & Fraud Resources in Michigan
Michigan seniors reported $170 million in elder fraud losses to the FBI in 2025, with 5,731 victims aged 60 and older. This page provides Michigan-specific scam prevention resources, official reporting contacts, and five years of FBI elder fraud data for the state.
Already been scammed? Read our First 24 Hours Emergency Guide for critical steps to take immediately.
I. Overview: Michigan’s Senior Population & Key Cities
Michigan has an estimated population of 10 million as of 2024, with over 1.8 million residents aged 65 and older, representing about 18% of the state’s population. As the state’s senior population grows, so do the risks of online fraud, particularly scams involving phishing, Medicare fraud, romance scams, and tech support impersonation.
The three largest cities in Michigan, each with substantial older adult populations and frequent scam reports, are:
- Detroit (approx. 630,000 people)
- Grand Rapids (approx. 200,000 people)
- Warren (approx. 135,000 people)
These cities are home to many older residents facing an escalating threat. In 2025, Michigan seniors lost $170 million to fraud, up 84% from 2024. Investment scams doubled to $88 million (+107%), government impersonation doubled to $11.5 million (+102%), and lottery/sweepstakes surged 388% to $4.9 million. Quick access to trusted support resources can prevent financial loss and emotional harm.
II. 2025 Victim Report: How Scammers Targeted Michigan’s Seniors
In 2025, Michigan had 5,731 victims aged 60+ who reported losses totaling $169,931,948 — up 82% in victims and 84% in losses compared to 2024 (3,148 victims / $92M).
Loss by Crime Type
| Crime Type | 2025 Loss | 2024 Loss | Change |
| Investment | $88,363,329 | $42,618,288 | +107% |
| Tech Support | $23,954,602 | $14,156,274 | +69% |
| Romance | $8,956,361 | $8,154,475 | +10% |
| Lottery/Sweepstakes | $4,861,714 | $996,701 | +388% |
| Extortion | $180,241 | $7,249 | +2386% |
| Government Impersonation | $11,484,507 | $5,692,098 | +102% |
Elder Fraud Loss Trajectory — Michigan
5-Year Elder Fraud Trend — Michigan (2021—2025)
| Year | Victims (60+) | Total Loss | YoY Change | Nat’l Rank |
| 2021 | 2,040 | $25,449,460 | — | #19 |
| 2022 | 2,243 | $52,520,999 | +106% | #16 |
| 2023 | 2,109 | $58,552,106 | +11% | #16 |
| 2024 | 3,148 | $92,378,793 | +58% | #15 |
| 2025 | 5,731 | $169,931,948 | +84% | #13 |
| 5-Year Total | 15,271 | $398,833,306 | +568% (2021—2025) | — |
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Annual Reports, 2021—2025. Covers victims aged 60 and older. National rank is by total dollar loss among 52 states/territories. National totals: $1.6B (2021), $3.0B (2022), $3.3B (2023), $4.7B (2024), $7.4B (2025) — $20.1 billion stolen from American seniors over five years.
Top Crime Types Targeting Michigan Seniors (2025 vs. 5-Year)
| Crime Type | 2025 Victims | 2025 Loss | 5-Year Total | Growth (2021—25) |
| Investment | 369 | $88,363,329 | $170,247,444 | +2,428% |
| Tech Support | 633 | $23,954,602 | $68,133,575 | +457% |
| Gov. Impersonation | 272 | $11,484,507 | $19,895,169 | +17,148% |
| Romance | 280 | $8,956,361 | $34,383,343 | New |
| Lottery/Sweepstakes | 119 | $4,861,714 | $9,769,106 | +2,007% |
| BEC | 89 | $4,721,544 | $18,309,688 | New |
Top 6 crime types by 2025 losses. Growth calculated from 2021 to 2025. For national crime type trends, see our Crime Type Migration Analysis.
What the data reveals: Michigan’s elder fraud losses reached $170 million in 2025, up 84% from $92 million in 2024, with 5,731 seniors victimized (+82%). Investment scams doubled to $88 million (+107%), now accounting for 52% of all losses. Government impersonation also doubled (+102%), and lottery/sweepstakes surged 388% from under $1 million to $4.9 million — one of the steepest increases in this category nationally. Romance scams grew a modest 10%, one of the lowest growth rates for this category. Approximately 1 in every 1,770 Michigan residents aged 60+ reported being a victim.
National context: Michigan ranks #13 in total losses and #27 in per-capita victim rate (56.52 per 100,000). Both victim count (+82%) and losses (+84%) grew well above the national averages (37% and 57% respectively), indicating an accelerating problem. The 388% lottery/sweepstakes surge is among the highest nationally and suggests a targeted campaign against Michigan’s seniors in this category.
For the full national picture, including how Michigan compares to every other state, visit our national hub page with interactive data and rankings.
Local Police Departments – Elder Fraud & Financial Crimes
1. Detroit Police Department – Financial Crimes Unit
- Phone: (313) 267-4600 (non-emergency)
- Website: www.detroitmi.gov
- Tip: Request referral to the Economic Crimes or Fraud Unit for senior scams.
2. Grand Rapids Police Department – Fraud Investigations
- Phone: (616) 456-3400 (non-emergency)
- Website: www.grandrapidsmi.gov
- Ask for fraud reporting or elder exploitation support.
3. Warren Police Department – Criminal Investigations
- Phone: (586) 574-4700 (non-emergency)
- Website: www.cityofwarren.org
- Request connection to financial crimes or senior outreach services.
FBI & Federal Fraud Reporting
FBI Detroit Field Office
- Phone: (313) 965-2323
- Website: www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/detroit
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
- Website: www.ic3.gov
- Use this platform to report phishing, identity theft, investment scams, and elder-targeted online fraud.
Michigan Attorney General – Elder Fraud & Consumer Protection
Michigan Department of Attorney General – Elder Abuse Task Force
- Elder Fraud Hotline: (800) 996-6228
- General Consumer Help: (877) 765-8388
- Website: www.michigan.gov/ag
- Offers complaint handling, scam tracking, and legal action against those targeting seniors.
Statewide Elder Services & Medicare Fraud Support
Michigan Adult Protective Services (APS)
- APS Hotline: (855) 444-3911 (24/7)
- Website: www.michigan.gov/mdhhs
- For reporting elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.
Michigan Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
- Phone: (800) 803-7174
- Website: www.michigansmp.org
- Supports seniors in identifying and stopping Medicare fraud, overbilling, and deception.
Michigan Aging & Adult Services Agency (AASA)
- Help Line: (517) 241-4100
- Website: www.michigan.gov/osa
- Connects older adults to Area Agencies on Aging, protective services, and elder law resources.
Take Control, Report Early
- Michigan seniors report tens of millions of dollars in scam losses each year, but reporting helps recover and prevent further abuse.
- Save these numbers and share them with friends, neighbors, and family members.
- Visit our Education Center to learn how to detect fraud before it happens.
- One phone call can stop a scam — act early, stay safe.
IV. Learn More: Michigan Scam Prevention Guides
Explore Michigan-specific guides on the most common scams targeting seniors in your state:
- Tech Support Scams in Michigan — Learn to recognize fake pop-ups, phone calls, and remote access schemes.
- Investment Scams in Michigan — Protect your retirement savings from fraudulent advisors and crypto scams.
- Romance Scams in Michigan — Spot the warning signs of fake online relationships designed to steal money.
- Government Impersonation Scams in Michigan — Know what real government agencies will never ask you to do.
- How to Report Scams in Michigan — Step-by-step guide to reporting fraud and starting recovery.
For national-level data on each scam type, see our Investment, Tech Support, Romance, and Government Impersonation national guides.
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