Protecting Pennsylvania Seniors from Romance Scams
Romance scams are among the most emotionally devastating forms of fraud targeting older adults. In 2025, 466 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania Seniors Are Especially Vulnerable
Pennsylvania’s demographics and culture create specific risk factors for romance scams:
- Large aging population: Pennsylvania has the 5th-largest 65+ population in the nation, with over 2.4 million seniors
- Steel and coal retirees: Pennsylvania’s legacy industrial workforce created a generation of retirees with pensions and 401(k)s that attract investment scammers
- Rural Appalachian isolation: Central and western Pennsylvania include remote Appalachian communities with limited broadband and few local fraud resources
- Cold winters: Long Pennsylvania winters keep seniors homebound for months, increasing exposure to phone calls, emails, and online scams
- Urban-rural divide: While Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have resources, most of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties are rural with limited consumer protection access
5-Year Trend: Romance Scam Losses in Pennsylvania (2021–2025)
| Year | Victims (60+) | Losses | YoY Change |
| 2021 | 255 | $15.7M | — |
| 2022 | 236 | $9.5M | -40% |
| 2023 | 218 | $9.6M | +0% |
| 2024 | 382 | $19.3M | +102% |
| 2025 | 466 | $20.2M | +5% |
| 5-Year Total | 1,557 | $74.3M | +28% |
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Annual Reports, 2021–2025. Victims and losses for Pennsylvania residents aged 60 and older.
Pennsylvania ranks #6 nationally in romance scam losses targeting seniors, with $20.2 million lost in 2025 across 466 reported victims. That represents 3.3% of all U.S. romance scam losses against older adults. Year over year, losses changed +5%, outperforming the national average of +46%. Over the full five-year period, romance scam losses in Pennsylvania grew +28%.
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 Pennsylvania
- Office of the Pennsylvania Attorney General: (717) 787-3391 | attorneygeneral.gov
- Pennsylvania Adult Protective Services: (800) 490-8505
- 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)