Senior Scam Prevention & Fraud Resources in New Jersey
I. Overview: New Jersey’s Senior Population & Key Cities
New Jersey has an estimated population of 9.3 million as of 2024, with approximately 1.6 million residents aged 65 and older, making up about 17.2% of the state’s total population. The state’s older adults are frequently targeted by increasingly sophisticated cyber scams — including phishing, Medicare fraud, impersonation calls, romance schemes, and tech support hoaxes.
New Jersey’s largest cities — all home to significant senior populations and frequent reports of elder fraud — include:
- Newark (approx. 310,000 people)
- Jersey City (approx. 295,000 people)
- Paterson (approx. 160,000 people)
These densely populated areas see persistent scam activity, often targeting seniors living alone or unfamiliar with the latest fraud tactics. Public awareness and direct access to protective resources are essential to reduce risk.
II. 2024 Victim Report: How Scammers Targeted New Jersey’s Seniors
In 2024, New Jersey had 2,918 victims aged 60+ who reported losses totaling $133,397,512.
Loss by Crime Type
| Crime Type | Loss Amount |
| Investment | $65,981,098 |
| Tech Support | $19,536,766 |
| Government Impersonation | $3,899,187 |
| Romance | $7,758,146 |
III. Emergency & Official Contacts
Local Police Departments – Financial & Elder Crime Assistance
1. Newark Police Division – Economic Crimes Unit
- Phone: (973) 733-6000 (non-emergency)
- Website: www.newarkpublicsafety.org
- Tip: Ask for Financial Crimes or Fraud Investigations for elder scams.
2. Jersey City Police Department – Investigations Bureau
- Phone: (201) 547-5477 (non-emergency)
- Website: jerseycitynj.gov
- Request support for fraud or elder abuse complaints.
3. Paterson Police Department – Fraud Reporting
- Phone: (973) 321-1111 (non-emergency)
- Website: www.patersonnj.gov
- Ask for assistance reporting identity theft or elder-targeted financial crimes.
FBI & Federal Reporting Resources
FBI Newark Field Office
- Phone: (973) 792-3000
- Website: www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/newark
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
- Website: www.ic3.gov
- File online reports for phishing, impersonation, investment scams, or romance fraud.
New Jersey Attorney General – Consumer & Elder Protection
Office of the New Jersey Attorney General – Division of Consumer Affairs
- Senior Fraud Hotline: (800) 242-5846
- General Consumer Help: (973) 504-6200
- Website: www.njconsumeraffairs.gov
- Offers complaint forms, scam alerts, and elder-focused protection resources.
Statewide Elder Protection & Medicare Fraud Services
New Jersey Adult Protective Services (APS)
- To report elder abuse or exploitation:
Call your local County Board of Social Services, or - State APS Info: www.nj.gov/humanservices/doas/services/aps
New Jersey Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
- Phone: (877) 767-4359
- Website: www.seniormedicarepatrolnj.org
- Supports seniors in recognizing and reporting Medicare fraud and billing scams.
NJ Department of Human Services – Division of Aging Services
- Aging and Disability Resource Line: (877) 222-3737
- Website: www.state.nj.us/humanservices/doas
- Connects seniors and caregivers to local protective programs, legal aid, and scam prevention help.
Stay Safe with Knowledge and Action
- New Jersey seniors lose millions annually to scams — but early reporting stops fraud and protects others.
- Share these contacts with older loved ones, neighbors, or caregivers.
- Visit our Education Center to explore scam examples, red flags, and how to respond.
- Don’t ignore your instincts. When in doubt, report it.
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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