Internet Crime in North Carolina

North Carolina

Older adults are frequent victims of fraud for many reasons, including having higher average net worth and being vulnerable due to age-related cognitive decline.

The most common internet scams affecting older adults in 2024 were phishing/spoofing, tech support and extortion. That same year, victims age 60 and older in the United States cumulatively lost nearly $4.9 billion to internet fraud. These numbers are likely an undercount, as only half of internet fraud reports include age data, and older adults may furthermore be less likely to report fraud in the first place. 

Fraudulent activities can not only cause significant financial losses to older adults, but also lead to negative emotional responses like depression, anxiety, self-blame and shame. Fear of being scammed can lead to social isolation as older adults withdraw from online activities that connect them with loved ones.

The prevalence of experiencing internet fraud is higher among:

• Older adults who have difficulty with cognition or other disabilities compared with those without a disability.
• Older adults living in less wealthy households with annual incomes less than $60,000 compared with those in higher-income households.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers consumer advice on how to spot common scams and protect yourself from fraud. For Older Americans Awareness Month, recognized each May, the FTC compiled a helpful collection of informational resources. AARP maintains the Fraud Watch Network Program, which provides information on scams and support for older adult victims, and the National Council on Aging provides cybersecurity tips to help older adults improve internet safety and avoid scams. 

FBI recommendations for protecting yourself from fraud include:

• Not sending personally identifiable information or valuables to unverified people or businesses. 
• Being cautious about unsolicited phone calls, emails, mail and other communications.
• Searching online for more information on offers or communications from unknown sources. Often, others have already posted about their experiences with a scammer and an internet search can help verify contact information or reveal fraudulent activity.
• Resisting the pressure to act quickly. A common scam tactic is creating a sense of urgency or danger to trick people into believing they don’t have time to act carefully or do background research.

The Office for Victims of Crime, a division of the U.S. Department of Justice, provides more information on warning signs and common scams. This office also hosts the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311), which older adults or their loved ones can call to report internet fraud and receive support.

Aladangady, Aditya, Jesse Bricker, Andrew C. Chang, Sarena Goodman, Jacob Krimmel, Kevin B. Moore, Sarah Reber, Alice Henriques Volz, and Richard A. Windle. Changes in U.S. Family Finances from 2019 to 2022: Evidence from the Survey of Consumer Finances. Washington, D.C.: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, October 2023. https://www.federalreserve.gov/publications/files/scf23.pdf.

Internet Crime Complaint Center. 2023 Elder Fraud Report. U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, April 30, 2024. https://www.ic3.gov/AnnualReport/Reports/2023_IC3ElderFraudReport.pdf.

Internet Crime Complaint Center. 2024 IC3 Annual Report. U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, April 30, 2025. https://www.ic3.gov/AnnualReport/Reports/2024_IC3Report.pdf.

Shang, Yuxi, Zhongxian Wu, Xiaoyu Du, Yanbin Jiang, Beibei Ma, and Meihong Chi. “The Psychology of the Internet Fraud Victimization of Older Adults: A Systematic Review.” Frontiers in Psychology 13 (September 5, 2022): 912242. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.912242.

Spreng, R. Nathan, Natalie C. Ebner, Bonnie E. Levin, and Gary R. Turner. “Aging and Financial Exploitation Risk.” In Aging and Money, edited by Ronan M. Factora, 2nd ed., 55–73. Cham: Springer Press, 2021.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67565-3_5.