Protecting Tennessee Seniors from Romance Scams
Romance scams are among the most emotionally devastating forms of fraud targeting older adults. In 2025, 227 Tennessee 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 Tennessee Seniors Are Especially Vulnerable
Tennessee’s demographics and culture create specific risk factors for romance scams:
- Growing retiree population: Tennessee is one of the top retirement destinations in the South, attracting seniors with no state income tax
- Appalachian isolation: East Tennessee’s Appalachian communities face extreme rural isolation with limited broadband and services
- Southern trust culture: Tennessee’s warm, hospitable culture makes seniors more likely to engage with callers who sound polite and helpful
- Music City scams: Nashville’s entertainment industry creates opportunities for scammers to push fake investment and talent-related schemes
- Military communities: Fort Campbell brings military retirees who are targeted by VA and military benefits impersonation scams
5-Year Trend: Romance Scam Losses in Tennessee (2021–2025)
| Year | Victims (60+) | Losses | YoY Change |
| 2021 | 151 | $8.9M | — |
| 2022 | 137 | $4.6M | -48% |
| 2023 | 131 | $4.3M | -8% |
| 2024 | 208 | $11.0M | +157% |
| 2025 | 227 | $12.1M | +10% |
| 5-Year Total | 854 | $41.0M | +36% |
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Annual Reports, 2021–2025. Victims and losses for Tennessee residents aged 60 and older.
Tennessee ranks #17 nationally in romance scam losses targeting seniors, with $12.1 million lost in 2025 across 227 reported victims. That represents 2.0% of all U.S. romance scam losses against older adults. Year over year, losses changed +10%, outperforming the national average of +46%. Over the full five-year period, romance scam losses in Tennessee grew +36%.
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 Tennessee
- Office of the Tennessee Attorney General: (615) 741-3491 | tn.gov/attorneygeneral
- Tennessee Adult Protective Services: (888) 277-8366
- 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)