Protecting North Carolina Seniors from Romance Scams
Romance scams are among the most emotionally devastating forms of fraud targeting older adults. In 2025, 312 North Carolina seniors reported romance scam complaints to the FBI. These scams exploit loneliness and the desire for connection, draining victims of their savings while leaving deep emotional wounds.
Why North Carolina Seniors Are Especially Vulnerable
North Carolina’s demographics and culture create specific risk factors for romance scams:
- 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: Romance Scam Losses in North Carolina (2021–2025)
| Year | Victims (60+) | Losses | YoY Change |
| 2021 | 185 | $10.7M | — |
| 2022 | 176 | $10.9M | +2% |
| 2023 | 193 | $10.8M | -1% |
| 2024 | 232 | $12.8M | +18% |
| 2025 | 312 | $14.3M | +12% |
| 5-Year Total | 1,098 | $59.5M | +33% |
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 #12 nationally in romance scam losses targeting seniors, with $14.3 million lost in 2025 across 312 reported victims. That represents 2.3% of all U.S. romance scam losses against older adults. Year over year, losses changed +12%, outperforming the national average of +46%. Over the full five-year period, romance scam losses in North Carolina grew +33%.
Complete guide: For detailed warning signs, protection strategies, and what to do if you’ve been targeted, read our comprehensive Romance Scam Prevention Guide. You can also take our free Online Training courses to test your knowledge.
Report Romance Scams in North Carolina
- Office of the North Carolina Attorney General: (919) 716-6400 | ncdoj.gov
- North Carolina Adult Protective Services: (800) 662-7030
- FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
- FBI IC3: ic3.gov
- Dating platform: Report the profile on the platform where you were contacted
Free Training Available
Take our free online course to learn more about protecting yourself from romance scams:
→ Start Romance Scam Awareness Training (Module 4)