They say Indiana is known for basketball, cornfields, and the Indy 500—but now it’s racing up the fraud charts too. Unfortunately, this isn’t the kind of “top 10” list anyone wants to be on.
A new report from Caring.com shows Indiana has the second-highest fraud rate against seniors in the U.S., with cases skyrocketing 240% in just three years. Seniors in the state are losing thousands to scams ranging from fake tech support calls to cryptocurrency cons.
How It Works
Scammers usually follow a simple playbook:
- Pressure & Panic – They create urgency (“act now, or your account will be frozen!”).
- Impersonation – Fake IT workers, bank staff, or even government officials trick seniors into handing over access.
- Payment Traps – Increasingly, scammers demand cryptocurrency payments, which are nearly impossible to trace or recover.
Who’s Targeted
Older adults—especially those over 60—are the prime targets. Indiana’s aging population means scammers see opportunity, and with seniors projected to make up over 20% of the state’s population by 2030, the problem could get worse.
Real-Life Example
In 2023, over 17,000 seniors nationwide reported tech support scams, making it the top fraud type. And when crypto is involved, the losses are staggering—averaging $108,000 per case.
Why You Should Care
Fraud isn’t just about money. Victims lose their life savings, independence, and trust. Families are left scrambling to provide financial and emotional support. If you’re in Indiana—or have older loved ones there—this surge in scams could hit very close to home.
How to Protect Yourself
- Pause Before Acting: Never rush when pressured—scammers thrive on panic.
- Verify Sources: If “tech support” calls, hang up and contact the company directly.
- Be Skeptical of Crypto: No legitimate agency asks for cryptocurrency payments.
- Talk About It: Families should normalize conversations about scams so seniors feel safe reporting suspicions early.
- Report Quickly: The faster fraud is reported, the greater the chance of recovering funds.
Quick Tips
- Did you know? Indiana’s fraud complaint rate is 76.9 per 100,000 seniors, second only to Arizona.
- Pro Tip: Add your phone number to the National Do Not Call Registry and remind seniors never to give remote access to their devices unless they initiated the request.
Stay safe, stay informed.
Keyword Definitions
- Fraud: Deceptive practices intended to secure unfair or unlawful financial gain.
- Tech Support Scam: A fraud where criminals pose as IT professionals to gain access to devices or money.
- Cryptocurrency Scam: A scheme that tricks people into sending digital currency under false pretenses.
- Complaint Rate: The number of fraud reports filed per 100,000 people in a population.
- Aging Population: A demographic trend where a larger portion of society is made up of older adults.
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