Protecting North Carolina Seniors from Government Impersonation Scams
Government impersonation scams are surging nationwide, and North Carolina seniors are not immune. In 2025, 374 older adults in North Carolina 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 North Carolina Seniors Are Targeted
North Carolina’s population and culture create specific vulnerabilities that government impersonation scammers exploit:
- Top retirement destination: North Carolina is one of the fastest-growing retirement states, concentrating seniors that scammers target
- Mountain and coastal isolation: Seniors in the western mountains and rural eastern counties face limited access to services and tech support
- Military communities: Fort Liberty (formerly Bragg), Camp Lejeune, and other bases bring retirees targeted by military impersonation scams
- Southern trust culture: North Carolina’s culture of hospitality makes seniors more receptive to callers who sound friendly and helpful
- Research Triangle wealth: The Triangle area’s affluent retirees are prime targets for sophisticated investment scams
5-Year Trend: Government Impersonation Scam Losses in North Carolina (2021–2025)
| Year | Victims (60+) | Losses | YoY Change |
| 2021 | 74 | $2.0M | — |
| 2022 | 71 | $1.8M | -12% |
| 2023 | 106 | $6.9M | +289% |
| 2024 | 204 | $5.0M | -27% |
| 2025 | 374 | $8.2M | +62% |
| 5-Year Total | 829 | $23.9M | +304% |
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Annual Reports, 2021–2025. Victims and losses for North Carolina residents aged 60 and older.
North Carolina ranks #13 nationally in government impersonation scam losses targeting seniors, with $8.2 million lost in 2025 across 374 reported victims. That represents 1.9% of all U.S. government impersonation scam losses against older adults. Year over year, losses changed +62%, outperforming the national average of +95%. Over the full five-year period, government impersonation scam losses in North Carolina grew +304%.
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 North Carolina
- Office of the North Carolina Attorney General: (919) 716-6400 | ncdoj.gov
- Social Security OIG: oig.ssa.gov
- IRS: irs.gov/report-phishing
- FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
- FBI IC3: ic3.gov
- North Carolina Adult Protective Services: (800) 662-7030
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)