Officials Share Staggering Update About Scams & Montana Seniors

The holidays are still some time away but scammers are working year round to target would-be victims for their benefit.

Montana officials are specifically issuing a warning to the elderly, warning them of the high success rate of elderly scams.

Elderly Scams in Montana

There's something unsettling to me about someone being okay with taking advantage of the elderly and scamming them out of money. Our seniors come from a different era and I can only imagine the frustration that comes with having to keep up with technology that's evolving at a breakneck pace.

The last thing they need to deal with is someone exploiting them and their inexperience with technology.

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The Montana Department of Justice hosted an Elder Justice Summit in Kalispell last week and State Auditor James Brown spoke about the importance of protecting Montana seniors.

The Montana Department of Justice says they've received 54 fraud complaints this year with around 75% of the victims being over the age of 60.

Protecting Seniors from Scams in 2026

Brown says educating seniors on what to look out for is one of the best ways to combat scammers.

"The best way to stop scams is to know how to spot scams. Victims should report scams and seek assistance from us or another law enforcement agency, because fraud only flourishes in the dark," Auditor Brown said according to the Montana Department of Justice.

"It is my mission to make sure every Montanan, especially the seniors in our state, have the knowledge and resources they need to stay safe from scammers."

ALSO READ: Which Montana County Has The Highest STD Rate?

Brown shared that romance or promises of love, scammers posing as grandparents, and tech scams are among the most common. As for red flags, he says the promise of an unexpected prize or reward, pressure to act quickly, and requesting payments via cryptocurrency or gift cards are all signs things may not be what they seem.

Brown says victims can recover losses and "stabilize" their finances with Montana's security restitution fund which provides up to $50,000 to victims.

You can learn more about that fund/program HERE. If you or someone you know has been a victim of a scam, you can call the agency at 406-444-2040.

Stay safe and aware out there!