LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A new report from the FBI shows the number of scams targeting elderly people was up by 14% last year.

The FBI Elder Fraud Report said the Internet Crime Complaint Center receives thousands of scam reports a day.

Kentuckians reported 908 instances of elderly scams last year leading to $12.8 million in losses.

“It is very common in Kentucky, but that’s nationally as well, and if you were to look at the statistics, it really shows that our elderly population is the most abused, not only financially but also physically too,” said Kentucky State Police Trooper Corey King.

He said that scammers are targeting older adults because it’s easy.

King said, “A handshake meant everything to that generation, but also they do trust and they don’t quite understand technology as well as what may be our younger generations understand it.”

According to the FBI, there were over a 101,068 national scam complaints in 2023 and more than $3.4 billon was lost. That’s an 11% increase in losses from the year before.

“So we know that COVID was one issue and that led to the gaps in digital literacy, but on the other end, it really is about the fact that these scam organizations have scammers that are doing this work full time…. So having those two factors really compounded is part of the reason why more people are being scammed,” said Genevieve Waterman, Director of Corporate Partnerships and Engagement for the National Council on Aging.

KSP said educate, communicate, and monitor seniors in your life to prevent them from being scammed.

“I think really, by giving that information to them, give them the tools and resources, but also make sure that our caregivers or family members taking care of our elderly loved ones or of trusted people,” said King.

Fraud complaints can be submitted to the FBI’s Internet Crime Compliant Center online.

AARP is helping prevent scams in Louisville. It will provide scam fighting tips at its Summer Scam Jam on June 5, 2024 at the Jeffersonian in Louisville.