Senior Scam Prevention & Fraud Resources in New Mexico
I. Overview: New Mexico’s Senior Population & Key Cities
As of 2024, New Mexico has a population of approximately 2.1 million, with over 460,000 residents aged 65 and older — making up 21.7% of the total population. This places New Mexico among the states with the highest proportion of older adults in the country. Seniors here are frequently targeted by scams involving Medicare fraud, imposter calls, romance scams, and tech support hoaxes — often in both English and Spanish.
The top three cities with large senior populations and recurring scam reports are:
- Albuquerque (approx. 570,000 people)
- Las Cruces (approx. 115,000 people)
- Santa Fe (approx. 89,000 people)
New Mexico’s mix of urban and rural communities, bilingual households, and digital divides make scam education and access to fraud reporting resources especially critical for older residents.
II. 2024 Victim Report: How Scammers Targeted New Mexico’s Seniors
In 2024, New Mexico had 1,150 victims aged 60+ who reported losses totaling $30,034,919.
Loss by Crime Type
| Crime Type | Loss Amount |
| Investment | $11,300,680 |
| Tech Support | $7,166,184 |
| Government Impersonation | $912,252 |
| Romance | $2,635,796 |
III. Emergency & Official Contacts
Local Police Departments – Elder Fraud & Financial Crimes
1. Albuquerque Police Department – White Collar Crimes Unit
- Phone: (505) 242-2677 (non-emergency)
- Website: www.cabq.gov/police
- Ask for Financial Crimes Division or to report elder-targeted scams.
2. Las Cruces Police Department – Investigative Services
- Phone: (575) 528-4200 (non-emergency)
- Website: www.las-cruces.org
- Report fraud, identity theft, or exploitation of older adults.
3. Santa Fe Police Department – Criminal Investigations
- Phone: (505) 428-3710 (non-emergency)
- Website: www.santafenm.gov
- Contact for help with suspected scams or elder financial abuse.
FBI & Federal Scam Reporting
FBI Albuquerque Field Office
- Phone: (505) 889-1300
- Website: www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/albuquerque
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
- Website: www.ic3.gov
- File reports for phishing, fake tech support, and online scams.
New Mexico Attorney General – Elder Fraud & Consumer Protection
Office of the New Mexico Attorney General – Consumer Protection Division
- Consumer Hotline: (844) 255-9210
- Website: www.nmag.gov
- Offers scam alerts, complaint forms, and consumer fraud education in English and Spanish.
Statewide Elder Services & Medicare Fraud Support
New Mexico Adult Protective Services (APS)
- Report elder abuse or financial exploitation:
Statewide APS Intake: (866) 654-3219 - Website: www.nmaging.state.nm.us
New Mexico Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
- Phone: (800) 432-2080
- Website: www.nmaging.state.nm.us
- Helps seniors identify and report Medicare fraud or deceptive healthcare practices.
New Mexico Aging & Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD)
- Toll-Free Line: (800) 432-2080
- Website: www.nmaging.state.nm.us
- Offers services for legal support, scam prevention, benefits access, and caregiver help.
Speak Up. Report Early. Stay Informed.
- New Mexico seniors lose millions of dollars every year to scams — often in silence.
- Share these contacts with family, caregivers, senior centers, or church groups.
- Visit our Education Center to learn how to recognize scams, avoid traps, and report incidents safely.
- If you feel pressured, confused, or suspicious — stop and talk to someone you trust. You’re not alone.
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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