Identity Theft Losses Surge 70% for Older Americans

FBI report shows seniors bear brunt of rising fraud, with AI-enabled scams emerging as new threat

Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:05pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shredded credit card or driver's license, the harsh lighting and stark black background creating a gritty, investigative aesthetic that conceptually represents the personal impact of identity theft.As scammers increasingly target seniors' financial accounts, a shredded credit card or ID card serves as a stark reminder of the personal toll of identity theft.Albany Today

A new FBI report reveals a troubling trend: identity theft complaints from Americans aged 60 and older surged 70% in 2025, resulting in $48.5 million in reported losses. This age group now accounts for a disproportionate share of overall fraud, with scammers increasingly targeting retirement accounts and investment portfolios.

Why it matters

As seniors hold larger account balances, identity theft can lead to devastating financial losses that are difficult to recover from. The rise of AI-enabled scams targeting older adults is a particularly alarming new development, highlighting the need for enhanced education and protection measures to safeguard this vulnerable population.

The details

The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received over 1 million complaints in 2025, with losses nearing $20.9 billion. While identity theft complaints make up a smaller portion compared to other fraud types like investment scams and business email compromises, they are a critical enabler, allowing criminals to access existing accounts. Older adults are being hit hardest, with identity theft complaints from those 60 and up totaling $48.5 million in losses - a 70% jump from the prior year.

  • The FBI released its latest annual internet crime report in 2026.
  • Identity theft complaints from Americans 60 and older totaled $48.5 million in losses in 2025, up 70% from 2024.

The players

FBI

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, which operates the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) that collects and analyzes data on internet-enabled criminal activity.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

A federal agency that also tracks identity theft as one of the most frequently reported consumer issues, even as total losses remain lower than other fraud types.

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What’s next

Experts recommend that older Americans take steps to limit personal information sharing, verify contacts independently, monitor accounts closely for unusual activity, and utilize available account protections like two-factor authentication to help catch identity misuse early and minimize potential losses.

The takeaway

This report highlights the growing threat of identity theft and other scams targeting seniors, who hold larger account balances that make them lucrative targets. As fraud tactics evolve, including the emergence of AI-enabled attacks, proactive measures to safeguard personal information and quickly detect suspicious activity are crucial to protecting older Americans' financial security.