AARP Hearing Center
For many adults age 50 and older, online spaces have become an important place to form new relationships, stay socially connected and explore companionship. Yet the same digital platforms offering these meaningful interactions have also opened a troubling door to deception. New AARP research shows that romance scams — schemes in which criminals build trust only to exploit it to steal money and sensitive information — are affecting older adults at significant rates.
The national survey reveals that nearly one in ten adults over 50 has experienced an online romantic approach that ultimately led to a request for money or encouragement to invest in cryptocurrency. Adults ages 50 to 64 face this risk at more than twice the rate of those 65 and older — likely in part because they tend to be more active and engaged online, increasing their exposure to potential scammers.
Even more alarming: One in six (16%) adults report that they or someone they know has actually lost money to a romance scam. Yet more than half (55%) of these incidents are never reported — leaving victims without support and allowing criminals to continue their exploitation unchecked.
The digital spaces where older adults connect most — dating apps (63%), social media platforms (42%) and messaging apps (21%) — are also where these scams most often begin. Many (45%) adults 50-plus say they do not feel knowledgeable about the tactics scammers use, a gap that scammers exploit through emotional manipulation, fabricated stories and increasingly sophisticated personas. Social stigma adds another layer of harm. While most people view victims as targets of crime (62%), many still assume they were naïve or too trusting (60%). These attitudes can deepen a victim’s shame, discourage reporting and ultimately reinforce a cycle of under-reported fraud.
The results shine a spotlight not only on how romance scams occur, but on the broader context in which older adults are navigating trust, technology and emotional connection online.
As romance scams grow more sophisticated, awareness and education remain important tools for protection. It is also critical that industry strengthens safeguards across online platforms so adults can seek connection without fear of exploitation. Further, these findings underscore the importance of reducing stigma and encouraging reporting.
Methodology
This study is part of AARP’s effort to better understand the experiences and perceptions of adults 50 and over. The findings come from questions AARP fielded on the Foresight 50+ Omnibus survey conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, a nationally representative study of 1,008 adults fielded in mid-November 2025.
For more information, please contact Alicia R. Williams at arwilliams@aarp.org. For media inquiries, contact External Relations at media@aarp.org.
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