Protecting Virginia Seniors from Tech Support Scams
In 2025, 707 Virginia seniors reported tech support scam complaints to the FBI, contributing to total elder fraud losses of $220.9 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 Virginia Seniors Are Especially Vulnerable
Virginia has unique characteristics that put its senior population at heightened risk:
- 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: Tech Support Scam Losses in Virginia (2021–2025)
| Year | Victims (60+) | Losses | YoY Change |
| 2021 | 416 | $16.0M | — |
| 2022 | 610 | $20.7M | +30% |
| 2023 | 610 | $22.3M | +7% |
| 2024 | 583 | $20.5M | -8% |
| 2025 | 707 | $27.4M | +34% |
| 5-Year Total | 2,926 | $107.0M | +71% |
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Annual Reports, 2021–2025. Victims and losses for Virginia residents aged 60 and older.
Virginia ranks #11 nationally in tech support scam losses targeting seniors, with $27.4 million lost in 2025 across 707 reported victims. That represents 2.6% of all U.S. tech support scam losses against older adults. Year over year, losses surged +34% — significantly faster than the national average of +5%. Over the full five-year period, tech support scam losses in Virginia grew +71%.
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 Virginia
- Office of the Virginia Attorney General: (804) 786-2071 | oag.state.va.us
- 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)