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Older Mainers are less likely than younger people to fall victim to scams, but when they do, the financial losses are often much greater.According to the FBI, 608 Mainers age 60 and older reported losing money to scams in 2024. Together, they lost $12,980,616 — and officials say the true number is likely higher because many cases go unreported.“The sophistication of the scammers is forever increasing. They’re forever changing things,” said York County Sheriff Bill King.Scammers use a wide range of tactics to steal money and personal information. Some impersonate loved ones, others pretend to be romantic partners and some market fake products or services.“With technology these days — AI, video, voice interpretation — it makes it even harder for our senior population to know what’s real and what’s not real,” said Christopher Blackmore, senior manager of customer education at TD Bank.In Maine, romance scams are behind some of the most difficult fraud cases investigators encounter. Scammers often seek out vulnerable people and exploit their emotions — sometimes even searching obituary pages to find potential targets.“We have found victims that are lonely and that they’re willing to keep paying the money, especially in the romance scams, just to keep that connection, knowing that they’re going to get that telephone call,” King said.Federal Trade Commission data shows the problem is widespread. In the first three quarters of 2025, Mainers lost $15,894,554 to scams. People ages 60 and older accounted for 64% of those losses.The typical financial hit is also larger for older victims. The median loss for older adults was $750, compared with $187 for people under 60.King says for every report filed, there are likely two or three other cases that go unreported. “There’s a big factor when it comes to seniors because of embarrassment and not reporting scams,” Blackmore said.Even when no money is lost, scams can still take a toll.Adrien Bernier said he has been receiving constant telemarketing calls since the summer, often from people trying to sell medical products. In the fall, the calls shifted to Medicare plans.“It’s making me nervous. Upsets my stomach,” Bernier said.Bernier said the calls are sometimes relentless.“When I didn’t answer that phone for about a week or so — for six days — I got a call every 10 minutes, all day long,” he said.It’s unclear whether the products being marketed are legitimate. Bernier told the callers he does not make purchases over the phone, asked them to stop calling, signed up for the national Do Not Call Registry, and reported the issue to police and the Federal Communications Commission.The calls have continued.“Now I have to hide it so I don’t hear it,” Bernier said. “If I have company, sometimes I take the phone off the hook. I’m at the end of my rope.”The FCC has not responded to a request for comment. Experts say one of the best ways to protect yourself is to freeze your credit. That allows you to continue using credit cards while preventing scammers from opening new lines of credit or making major purchases in your name.They also urge people to talk openly with friends and family about potential scams.Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and experts say anyone can become a target.
Older Mainers are less likely than younger people to fall victim to scams, but when they do, the financial losses are often much greater.
According to the FBI, 608 Mainers age 60 and older reported losing money to scams in 2024. Together, they lost $12,980,616 — and officials say the true number is likely higher because many cases go unreported.
“The sophistication of the scammers is forever increasing. They’re forever changing things,” said York County Sheriff Bill King.
Scammers use a wide range of tactics to steal money and personal information. Some impersonate loved ones, others pretend to be romantic partners and some market fake products or services.
“With technology these days — AI, video, voice interpretation — it makes it even harder for our senior population to know what’s real and what’s not real,” said Christopher Blackmore, senior manager of customer education at TD Bank.
In Maine, romance scams are behind some of the most difficult fraud cases investigators encounter. Scammers often seek out vulnerable people and exploit their emotions — sometimes even searching obituary pages to find potential targets.
“We have found victims that are lonely and that they’re willing to keep paying the money, especially in the romance scams, just to keep that connection, knowing that they’re going to get that telephone call,” King said.
Federal Trade Commission data shows the problem is widespread. In the first three quarters of 2025, Mainers lost $15,894,554 to scams. People ages 60 and older accounted for 64% of those losses.
The typical financial hit is also larger for older victims. The median loss for older adults was $750, compared with $187 for people under 60.
King says for every report filed, there are likely two or three other cases that go unreported.
“There’s a big factor when it comes to seniors because of embarrassment and not reporting scams,” Blackmore said.
Even when no money is lost, scams can still take a toll.
Adrien Bernier said he has been receiving constant telemarketing calls since the summer, often from people trying to sell medical products. In the fall, the calls shifted to Medicare plans.
“It’s making me nervous. Upsets my stomach,” Bernier said.
Bernier said the calls are sometimes relentless.
“When I didn’t answer that phone for about a week or so — for six days — I got a call every 10 minutes, all day long,” he said.
It’s unclear whether the products being marketed are legitimate. Bernier told the callers he does not make purchases over the phone, asked them to stop calling, signed up for the national Do Not Call Registry, and reported the issue to police and the Federal Communications Commission.
The calls have continued.
“Now I have to hide it so I don’t hear it,” Bernier said. “If I have company, sometimes I take the phone off the hook. I’m at the end of my rope.”
The FCC has not responded to a request for comment.
Experts say one of the best ways to protect yourself is to freeze your credit. That allows you to continue using credit cards while preventing scammers from opening new lines of credit or making major purchases in your name.
They also urge people to talk openly with friends and family about potential scams.
Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and experts say anyone can become a target.
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