Senior Scam Prevention & Fraud Resources in Ohio
Ohio seniors reported $164 million in elder fraud losses to the FBI in 2025, with 6,948 victims aged 60 and older. This page provides Ohio-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: Ohio’s Senior Population & Key Cities
Ohio has a population of approximately 11.8 million as of 2024, with more than 2.1 million residents aged 65 and older — accounting for about 17.8% of the state’s total population. This growing senior population is increasingly being targeted by online scammers using tactics such as tech support fraud, fake investment schemes, and Medicare phishing attacks.
The largest cities in Ohio — each with substantial elder populations — are:
- Columbus (approx. 920,000 people)
- Cleveland (approx. 370,000 people)
- Cincinnati (approx. 310,000 people)
These urban areas are aging rapidly and represent key zones for elder fraud. In 2025, investment scams were Ohio’s biggest threat at $81 million (+154%), followed by tech support fraud ($22 million) and romance scams ($12 million). Notably, Ohio is one of few states where government impersonation actually decreased (-18%), while extortion surged 893% to $5.2 million.
II. 2025 Victim Report: How Scammers Targeted Ohio’s Seniors
In 2025, Ohio had 6,948 victims aged 60+ who reported losses totaling $163,748,647 — up 29% in victims and 72% in losses compared to 2024 (5,389 victims / $95M).
Loss by Crime Type
| Crime Type | 2025 Loss | 2024 Loss | Change |
| Investment | $81,130,382 | $31,963,744 | +154% |
| Tech Support | $22,019,506 | $10,931,422 | +101% |
| Romance | $12,122,050 | $11,589,540 | +5% |
| Lottery/Sweepstakes | $4,409,447 | $7,068,711 | -38% |
| Extortion | $5,187,773 | $522,429 | +893% |
| Government Impersonation | $7,877,082 | $9,558,840 | -18% |
Elder Fraud Loss Trajectory — Ohio
5-Year Elder Fraud Trend — Ohio (2021—2025)
| Year | Victims (60+) | Total Loss | YoY Change | Nat’l Rank |
| 2021 | 3,703 | $36,468,312 | — | #12 |
| 2022 | 3,099 | $51,041,223 | +40% | #17 |
| 2023 | 3,296 | $64,024,384 | +25% | #14 |
| 2024 | 5,389 | $95,445,773 | +49% | #14 |
| 2025 | 6,948 | $163,748,647 | +72% | #15 |
| 5-Year Total | 22,435 | $410,728,339 | +349% (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: $1.7B (2021), $3.1B (2022), $3.4B (2023), $4.9B (2024), $7.7B (2025) — $20.8 billion stolen from American seniors over five years.
Top Crime Types Targeting Ohio Seniors (2025 vs. 5-Year)
| Crime Type | 2025 Victims | 2025 Loss | 5-Year Total | Growth (2021—25) |
| Investment | 408 | $81,130,382 | $146,314,198 | +2,632% |
| Tech Support | 716 | $22,019,506 | $61,706,242 | +346% |
| Romance | 383 | $12,122,050 | $54,751,598 | +49% |
| BEC | 116 | $8,582,205 | $37,095,103 | +0% |
| Gov. Impersonation | 293 | $7,877,082 | $24,591,047 | +920% |
| Personal Data Breach | 408 | $6,410,371 | $17,272,413 | +337% |
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: Ohio’s elder fraud losses reached $164 million in 2025, up 72% from $95 million in 2024. Nearly 7,000 seniors were victimized. Investment fraud more than doubled to $81 million, now representing half of all losses. The government impersonation decline (-18%) stands out as a rare piece of good news, though extortion losses jumped nearly tenfold. Statewide, that comes to roughly one senior victim for every 1,710 Ohio residents.
National context: Ohio ranks #15 in total losses and #24 in per-capita victim rate (58.47 per 100,000). While Ohio’s rate is close to the national midpoint, its 72% year-over-year increase exceeds the national average of 57%, indicating an accelerating problem. With 2.1 million residents over 65 — one of the largest senior populations in the country — the absolute numbers are significant.
For the full national picture, including how Ohio compares to every other state, visit our national hub page with interactive data and rankings.
III. Emergency & Official Contacts
Local Police Departments – Elder Fraud & Financial Crimes
1. Columbus Division of Police – Economic Crimes Unit
- Phone: (614) 645-4545 (non-emergency)
- Website: www.columbus.gov/police
- Tip: Ask to speak with Financial Crimes or Elder Services officer.
2. Cleveland Division of Police – Financial Crimes Unit
- Phone: (216) 621-1234 (non-emergency)
- Website: www.clevelandohio.gov/city-hall/departments/public-safety/divisions/police
- Tip: Request a report for elder fraud or scam-related financial loss.
3. Cincinnati Police Department – Fraud Investigations
- Phone: (513) 765-1212 (non-emergency)
- Website: www.cincinnati-oh.gov/police
- Ask for white collar or financial crimes division to report elder scams.
FBI & Federal Reporting Tools
FBI Cincinnati Field Office
- Phone: (513) 421-4310
- Website: www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/cincinnati
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
- Website: www.ic3.gov
- Use to file reports on scams, online fraud, phishing, and impersonation crimes.
Ohio Attorney General – Elder Protection & Consumer Fraud
Office of the Ohio Attorney General – Elder Justice Unit
- Elder Fraud Hotline: (800) 282-0515
- Website: www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov
- Offers assistance in reporting scams, investigating financial abuse, and accessing local resources.
Additional Elder Protection & Support Services
Ohio Adult Protective Services (APS)
- To report elder abuse or financial exploitation: Call your County Department of Job and Family Services, or
- State APS Helpline: (855) 644-6277
- Website: jfs.ohio.gov (search APS by county)
Ohio Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
- Phone: (800) 293-4767
- Website: www.proseniors.org
- Helps seniors detect and prevent Medicare and health fraud.
Ohio Department of Aging – Senior Support Hotline
- Phone: (866) 243-5678
- Website: www.aging.ohio.gov
- Connects you with local agencies on aging and protective services.
City of Columbus – Senior Services Coordination
- Phone: (614) 645-3111 (Call 311 from local number)
- Website: www.columbus.gov
Stay Vigilant, Stay Connected
- Save and share these contacts with neighbors, family, and community groups.
- Don’t hesitate to report suspicious calls, emails, or financial activity.
- Visit our Learning Center to understand the latest scams targeting Ohio seniors — and how to stop them.
- Remember: early action prevents loss. You are never alone in this fight.
Recent Ohio scam news
Recent news coverage of scams affecting Ohio seniors, updated from our alerts desk. Each item links to the original outlet; victims and defendants are kept anonymous.
Wood County, Ohio officials share a simple test for spotting a scam: 'don't tell anyone' is the giveaway
At a senior center in Walbridge, Ohio, the Wood County sheriff and county prosecutor continued their 'Frauds and Scams: Spot Them and Stop Them' tour, walking residents through common tactics: fake Microsoft security warnings, 'grandchild in jail' calls, callers posing as FBI agents demanding a bank withdrawal, and romance scammers who 'love bomb' a new partner before asking for rent or relocation money. Their clearest red flag: if a caller ever tells you not to tell anyone what's happening, it is a scam, since real institutions never ask you to keep a call secret. Their advice: never click an unknown link, give remote access to your computer, or share personal information with someone who called you; slow down, hang up, and verify by contacting the bank or agency directly using a number you look up yourself.
Read at Sentinel Tribune →Ohio experts share practical steps to help seniors and families spot scams
On Ohio public radio, a consumer-law professor and a state consumer-affairs director walked through the scams most likely to reach older adults: fake emergency calls from a 'grandchild,' romance schemes that now use voice cloning and deepfakes, callers posing as Medicare or the IRS, and fake QR codes placed over real ones on parking meters and payment signs. Their advice: set a family code word that is never posted online, let unknown calls go to voicemail, and verify anyone claiming to be a company or agency using a number you look up yourself, not one they give you. Slow down before sending money, cash, gift cards, or cryptocurrency to anyone you have not independently verified.
Read at WOSU Public Media →Opinion: Elder abuse demands the attention of Ohio's next attorney general
In a Cincinnati Enquirer opinion piece, Ohio's state auditor argues that elder abuse, from financial exploitation and cyber fraud to neglect and family-member manipulation, deserves serious, sustained attention from the state's next attorney general. The piece describes scammers who impersonate government agencies, banks, charities, tech companies, romantic partners, or even a distressed grandchild, using fear, urgency, and secrecy to steal money and personal information. It calls for stronger coordination among sheriffs, prosecutors, Adult Protective Services, victim advocates, and financial institutions, and for making it easier for every Ohioan to report suspected abuse and have it taken seriously. The message for families: recognize these tactics early, slow down before acting on an urgent or secretive request for money, and report suspected exploitation rather than staying silent out of embarrassment.
Read at Cincinnati Enquirer →Ohio's Wood County brings 'Spot Them and Stop Them' scam talks to senior centers
Through July and August, Wood County's sheriff and prosecutor are presenting 'Frauds and Scams: Spot Them and Stop Them' at senior centers across the county, starting with more than 20 residents in Rossford. Free, local sessions like these are a practical way for older adults and caregivers to keep up with current scams.
Read at Sentinel Tribune →Helping Columbus seniors avoid costly scams in a digital world
A local effort focuses on helping older adults in Ohio avoid costly scams in an increasingly digital world.
Read at Axios →Financial scams on the rise as state officials warn of growing dangers
State officials are urging residents to stay alert as financial scams targeting older adults continue to rise.
Read at Review Times →IV. Learn More: Ohio Scam Prevention Guides
Explore Ohio-specific guides on the most common scams targeting seniors in your state:
- Tech Support Scams in Ohio — Learn to recognize fake pop-ups, phone calls, and remote access schemes.
- Investment Scams in Ohio — Protect your retirement savings from fraudulent advisors and crypto scams.
- Romance Scams in Ohio — Spot the warning signs of fake online relationships designed to steal money.
- Government Impersonation Scams in Ohio — Know what real government agencies will never ask you to do.
- How to Report Scams in Ohio — 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.
See how Ohio compares. Curious where Ohio ranks in the national picture? Stolen Trust, our 2026 special study, ranks every state and territory using five years of FBI data and lays out one practical plan to fix elder fraud.