Protecting Virginia Seniors from Government Impersonation Scams
Government impersonation scams are surging nationwide, and Virginia seniors are not immune. In 2025, 395 older adults in Virginia 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 Virginia Seniors Are Targeted
Virginia’s population and culture create specific vulnerabilities that government impersonation scammers exploit:
- Federal retirees: Northern Virginia’s massive federal workforce produces retirees specifically targeted by government impersonation scams
- Military communities: Virginia’s major military bases (Norfolk, Quantico, Fort Gregg-Adams) bring retirees targeted by VA impersonation scams
- Extreme wealth disparity: Northern Virginia’s wealthy retirees and Appalachian Virginia’s economically challenged seniors both face different but significant risks
- High losses: With over $220 million in elder fraud losses, Virginia ranks among the top 10 hardest-hit states in the nation
- Southern trust culture: Virginia’s traditional culture of courtesy and respect makes seniors more likely to engage with official-sounding callers
5-Year Trend: Government Impersonation Scam Losses in Virginia (2021–2025)
| Year | Victims (60+) | Losses | YoY Change |
| 2021 | 103 | $1.7M | — |
| 2022 | 89 | $456K | -73% |
| 2023 | 136 | $6.3M | +1277% |
| 2024 | 225 | $6.8M | +8% |
| 2025 | 395 | $14.6M | +116% |
| 5-Year Total | 948 | $29.8M | +771% |
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Annual Reports, 2021–2025. Victims and losses for Virginia residents aged 60 and older.
Virginia ranks #7 nationally in government impersonation scam losses targeting seniors, with $14.6 million lost in 2025 across 395 reported victims. That represents 3.4% of all U.S. government impersonation scam losses against older adults. Year over year, losses surged +116% — significantly faster than the national average of +95%. Over the full five-year period, government impersonation scam losses in Virginia grew +771%.
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 Virginia
- Office of the Virginia Attorney General: (804) 786-2071 | oag.state.va.us
- Social Security OIG: oig.ssa.gov
- IRS: irs.gov/report-phishing
- FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
- FBI IC3: ic3.gov
- Virginia Adult Protective Services: (888) 832-3858
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)