Protecting Pennsylvania Seniors from Tech Support Scams
In 2025, 825 Pennsylvania seniors reported tech support scam complaints to the FBI, contributing to total elder fraud losses of $215.9 million statewide. Tech support scams are among the most common and devastating forms of fraud targeting older adults. This guide will help you recognize, avoid, and report tech support scams.
Why Pennsylvania Seniors Are Especially Vulnerable
Pennsylvania has unique characteristics that put its senior population at heightened risk:
- 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: Tech Support Scam Losses in Pennsylvania (2021–2025)
| Year | Victims (60+) | Losses | YoY Change |
| 2021 | 557 | $12.9M | — |
| 2022 | 686 | $16.3M | +27% |
| 2023 | 667 | $21.7M | +33% |
| 2024 | 750 | $30.8M | +42% |
| 2025 | 825 | $35.5M | +15% |
| 5-Year Total | 3,485 | $117.2M | +176% |
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Annual Reports, 2021–2025. Victims and losses for Pennsylvania residents aged 60 and older.
Pennsylvania ranks #7 nationally in tech support scam losses targeting seniors, with $35.5 million lost in 2025 across 825 reported victims. That represents 3.3% of all U.S. tech support scam losses against older adults. Year over year, losses changed +15% (national average: +5%). Over the full five-year period, tech support scam losses in Pennsylvania grew +176%.
Complete guide: For detailed warning signs, protection strategies, and what to do if you’ve been targeted, read our comprehensive Tech Support Scam Prevention Guide. You can also take our free Online Training courses to test your knowledge.
Report Tech Support Scams in Pennsylvania
- Office of the Pennsylvania Attorney General: (717) 787-3391 | attorneygeneral.gov
- FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
- FBI IC3: ic3.gov
- Microsoft: microsoft.com/reportascam
Free Training Available
Take our free online course to learn more about protecting yourself from tech support scams:
→ Start Tech Support Scam Awareness Training (Module 2)