Arizona has long been a favorite destination for retirees. But a new study brings some troubling news for seniors living there.
According to research from the firm Protect My Data, Arizona ranked number one in the country for online scams targeting seniors. The firm analyzed FBI data from 2024 and 2025, measuring reported cybercrimes per 100,000 residents in each state. More than 500 seniors per 100,000 in Arizona reported being victimized.
In 2025 alone, reported financial losses in Arizona came to $4,549,665.
Other States Are Seeing Big Losses Too
Arizona topped the rankings, but several other states also reported significant losses among seniors:
- Utah: $17,531,120 in losses
- Colorado: $15,813,357 in losses
- Maryland: $10,797,631 in losses
- Nevada: $4,846,707 in losses
The study did not point to a single reason why some states rank higher than others. But the data does suggest that seniors in high-retirement areas should be on extra alert.
Peter Nguyen, a privacy expert at Protect My Data, explained what the firm is seeing. “Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting seniors because they often rely on trust, urgency-based communication, and digital tools that can feel unfamiliar or overwhelming,” he said. “What we are seeing in the data is not just a rise in attacks, but a rise in sophistication. Scams are becoming harder to spot, even for cautious users.”
How to Keep Your Money Safe
Most of these criminals get in through phishing, which is when a scammer sends you a link inside an email or text message that looks like it came from a real company or person. Click on it, and they can gain access to your computer and your bank accounts.
The most important thing you can do is simple: never click on a link that comes to you out of the blue. It does not matter if it looks official. If you did not ask for it, do not click it.
If you think a message might actually be from a real company, do not use the link in the message. Go directly to the company’s main website yourself, or call their official phone number to check.
And if something does happen, report it right away. But alerting the police is often the only way to have any chance of recovering lost money. You have nothing to be ashamed of; these scams are sophisticated and designed to fool smart people.
The sooner you report it, the better your chances of getting help.