Senior Scam Prevention & Fraud Resources in Pennsylvania
I. Overview: Pennsylvania’s Senior Population & Key Cities
Pennsylvania is home to one of the largest and oldest populations in the United States. As of 2024, the state has an estimated 12.9 million residents, with 2.5 million aged 65 and older — representing approximately 19.4% of the total population. This makes Pennsylvania one of the top five states by senior population size and percentage.
Older adults in Pennsylvania are frequently targeted by scammers through Medicare fraud, fake tech support calls, romance scams, and phishing attacks. The risk is especially high in the state’s largest cities:
- Philadelphia (approx. 1.6 million people)
- Pittsburgh (approx. 300,000 city population; ~2.4 million metro area)
- Allentown (approx. 130,000 people)
Each of these cities has a significant aging population and has seen a rise in cyber-related complaints from seniors. Local law enforcement and state agencies are working to respond — but public awareness and community action are key to prevention.
II. 2024 Victim Report: How Scammers Targeted Pennsylvania’s Seniors
In 2024, Pennsylvania had 6,353 victims aged 60+ who reported losses totaling $151,096,514.
Loss by Crime Type
| Crime Type | Loss Amount |
| Investment | $56,227,739 |
| Tech Support | $30,806,443 |
| Government Impersonation | $8,733,820 |
| Romance | $19,302,412 |
III. Emergency & Official Contacts
Local Police Departments – Elder Fraud & Financial Crimes
1. Philadelphia Police Department – Economic Crimes Unit
- Phone: (215) 686-8477 (non-emergency tip line)
- Website: www.phillypolice.com
- Tip: Ask for Economic Crimes Division when reporting elder scams.
2. Pittsburgh Bureau of Police – Financial Crimes
- Phone: (412) 323-7800 (non-emergency)
- Website: pittsburghpa.gov/police
- Ask for “Financial & Elder Exploitation Unit” if available.
3. Allentown Police Department
- Phone: (610) 437-7753 (non-emergency)
- Website: www.allentownpa.gov
- Tip: Ask for referral to white collar crimes or fraud investigators.
FBI & Federal Reporting Tools
FBI Philadelphia Field Office
- Phone: (215) 418-4000
- Website: www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/philadelphia
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
- Website: www.ic3.gov
- Use to report cybercrimes targeting you or a loved one.
Pennsylvania Attorney General – Elder Protection Unit
Office of the PA Attorney General – Elder Protection Unit
- Elder Abuse Hotline: (866) 623-2137
- General Consumer Hotline: (800) 441-2555
- Website: www.attorneygeneral.gov
- This unit helps investigate financial exploitation, fraud, and scams targeting older adults.
Other Statewide Elder Support Services
Pennsylvania Department of Aging – Protective Services
- Helpline: (800) 490-8505
- Website: www.aging.pa.gov
Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) – Local Assistance
- Find local contacts via: www.aging.pa.gov/AAA
- Tip: They can help report abuse, locate services, and offer counseling.
Pennsylvania Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
- Phone: (800) 356-3606
- Website: www.carie.org/smp
- Helps identify and stop Medicare fraud and billing scams.
Philadelphia Corporation for Aging – Elder Abuse Reporting
- Phone: (215) 765-9040
- Website: www.pcacares.org
Don’t Stay Silent
- Pennsylvania seniors report millions in financial losses every year due to online fraud — but most cases go unreported.
- Save these numbers. Share them with friends, neighbors, and caregivers.
- Visit our Learning Center to learn how scams work and how to fight back.
- Early action can stop crime and save lives — even one phone call can make a difference.
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.
Share Your Story