Senior Scam Prevention & Fraud Resources in Washington
I. Overview: Washington State’s Senior Population & Key Cities
Washington State has a 2024 estimated population of 7.9 million, with approximately 1.4 million residents aged 65 and older, representing around 17.7% of the total population. As the state’s population ages, cyber-enabled elder fraud is becoming a serious concern — especially in urban and tech-heavy areas where scammers target seniors through phishing, fake support calls, online impersonation, and investment frauds.
The largest cities in Washington — all with large senior communities and high volumes of fraud reports — are:
- Seattle (approx. 770,000 people)
- Spokane (approx. 230,000 people)
- Tacoma (approx. 220,000 people)
Washington’s tech-savvy reputation can ironically increase risk, as digital scams blend realism with sophistication. Seniors must be empowered with prevention knowledge and direct access to trusted local support.
II. 2024 Victim Report: How Scammers Targeted Washington’s Seniors
In 2024, Washington had 3,692 victims aged 60+ who reported losses totaling $107,052,160.
Loss by Crime Type
| Crime Type | Loss Amount |
| Investment | $44,340,684 |
| Tech Support | $16,722,142 |
| Government Impersonation | $5,900,010 |
| Romance | $10,806,861 |
III. Emergency & Official Contacts
Local Police Departments – Financial Crimes & Senior Services
1. Seattle Police Department – Fraud & Financial Crimes Unit
- Phone: (206) 625-5011 (non-emergency)
- Website: www.seattle.gov/police
- Tip: Ask to be directed to the Fraud Unit or Economic Crimes Team.
2. Spokane Police Department – Investigations Division
- Phone: (509) 456-2233 (non-emergency)
- Website: my.spokanecity.org/police
- Ask for financial crimes or elder services assistance.
3. Tacoma Police Department – Fraud and Elder Services
- Phone: (253) 798-4721 (non-emergency)
- Website: www.cityoftacoma.org
- Request to report elder-targeted financial scams or suspicious activity.
FBI & Federal Fraud Reporting
FBI Seattle Field Office
- Phone: (206) 622-0460
- Website: www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/seattle
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
- Website: www.ic3.gov
- Report elder-targeted cybercrime including email scams, online impersonation, or fraudulent billing.
Washington State Attorney General – Senior Fraud & Protection
Washington Attorney General’s Office – Consumer Protection Division
- Consumer Resource Center: (800) 551-4636
- Website: www.atg.wa.gov/senior-fraud
- Offers legal help, scam alerts, and assistance in reporting fraud or financial exploitation involving seniors.
Additional Statewide Elder Protection Services
Washington Adult Protective Services (APS)
- 24/7 Abuse & Exploitation Hotline: (877) 734-6277
- Website: www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa
Washington Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
- Phone: (800) 562-6900
- Website: www.washingtonsmp.org
- Helps detect Medicare fraud, suspicious health billing, and benefits-related scams.
Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA)
- Main Info Line: (800) 422-3263
- Website: www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa
- Connects seniors to services, protective agencies, and elder rights resources.
King County Elder Abuse & Fraud Unit (Seattle area)
- Phone: (206) 263-9064
- Website: www.kingcounty.gov
Protect Yourself, Empower Others
- Washington seniors lose tens of millions of dollars annually to scams — but most incidents go unreported.
- Save these numbers or print this page and keep it nearby.
- Visit our Education Center to explore scam red flags, protection guides, and real-life examples.
- If you suspect fraud, act early — and don’t stay silent.
Share Your Story
Have you or a loved one experienced a scam, or stopped one just in time? Your story could help protect someone else.
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