Vital Voices: Fraud Issues That Impact Adults Ages 45 and Older

Older adults in the United States are growing increasingly concerned about being targeted by a scam or fraud. Concerns regarding fraud, as well as who is falling victim to scams, varies by demographic subgroup, household income, and educational attainment.

Key findings

In 2023, half (51%) of U.S. adults 45-plus said they are extremely or very concerned about being personally targeted by a scam or fraud, up 15 percentage points since last year (36%) and the highest it’s been since 2019. Additionally, nearly two in five (39%) U.S. adults 45-plus know a family member or close friend who may have lost money to a scam or fraud, up significantly since last year (31%) and the highest since 2019.

While concern about being targeted by a scam or fraud is increasing among the general population, certain demographic subgroups are more anxious than others. Three in five adults who identify as African American/Black (66%), Asian American or Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (65%), Hispanic/Latino (65%), and American Indian/Alaska Native (61%) all expressed being extremely or very concerned about being personally targeted by a scam in 2023, significantly higher than white adults (45%). This difference between demographic subgroups has been observed year after year among Vital Voices respondents.

Nearly two-thirds (64%) of U.S. adults 45-plus making less than $25,000 annually are extremely or very concerned about becoming a victim of fraud, significantly higher than those with higher incomes. There are significant differences by education as well: Three in five (60%) adults with a high school education or less are concerned about becoming a victim or fraud, and nearly one in five (19%) were a victim in the last 12 months. This is substantially higher than those with at least some college education (48% and 11%, respectively).

Methodology

In October 2023, AARP engaged ANR Market Research Consultants to conduct a quantitative research study among U.S. residents 45 and older. Topics included health care, prescription drugs, the economy, financial issues, retirement, Social Security, fraud, independent living, long-term care, caregiving, livable communities and opinions of AARP. Interviews were conducted with 4,664 U.S. residents age 45+ by landline (16%), cell phone (14%), online (69%), and utilizing text-to-web (1%) between October 17, 2023 and November 16, 2023.

For more information, please contact Aisha Bonner Cozad at abonner@aarp.org. For media inquiries, please contact External Relations at media@aarp.org.