Protecting Texas Seniors from Government Impersonation Scams
Government impersonation scams are surging nationwide, and Texas seniors are not immune. In 2025, 955 older adults in Texas reported government impersonation fraud to the FBI. Scammers pose as officials from the IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare, or law enforcement to frighten seniors into sending money or revealing personal information.
Why Texas Seniors Are Targeted
Texas’s population and culture create specific vulnerabilities that government impersonation scammers exploit:
- Massive senior population: Texas has over 3.8 million residents 65+, the second-largest senior population in the U.S., creating an enormous target pool
- Oil and energy wealth: Texas retirees from the oil, gas, and energy sectors often have substantial retirement savings that attract investment scammers
- Border community targeting: Seniors along the Texas-Mexico border face bilingual scams exploiting immigration fears and cross-border family ties
- Rural isolation: Much of West and Central Texas is deeply rural, with seniors hours from the nearest consumer protection office or tech support
- Military retiree concentration: Major bases like Fort Cavazos and Joint Base San Antonio bring military retirees targeted by VA and benefits impersonation scams
5-Year Trend: Government Impersonation Scam Losses in Texas (2021–2025)
| Year | Victims (60+) | Losses | YoY Change |
| 2021 | 275 | $6.0M | — |
| 2022 | 248 | $6.9M | +15% |
| 2023 | 248 | $7.8M | +13% |
| 2024 | 560 | $12.3M | +58% |
| 2025 | 955 | $42.9M | +249% |
| 5-Year Total | 2,286 | $76.0M | +613% |
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Annual Reports, 2021–2025. Victims and losses for Texas residents aged 60 and older.
Texas ranks #2 nationally in government impersonation scam losses targeting seniors, with $42.9 million lost in 2025 across 955 reported victims. That represents 10.0% of all U.S. government impersonation scam losses against older adults. Year over year, losses surged +249% — significantly faster than the national average of +95%. Over the full five-year period, government impersonation scam losses in Texas grew +613%.
Complete guide: For detailed warning signs, protection strategies, and what to do if you’ve been targeted, read our comprehensive Government Impersonation Scam Prevention Guide. You can also take our free Online Training courses to test your knowledge.
Report Government Impersonation Scams in Texas
- Office of the Texas Attorney General: (512) 463-2100 | texasattorneygeneral.gov
- Social Security OIG: oig.ssa.gov
- IRS: irs.gov/report-phishing
- FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
- FBI IC3: ic3.gov
- Texas Adult Protective Services: (800) 458-9858
Free Training Available
Take our free online course to learn more about protecting yourself from government impersonation scams:
→ Start Government Impersonation Scam Awareness Training (Module 5)