Category: Resources for Granges and Grangers

Understanding the ways criminals seek to steal money can help you stay a step ahead of scams.

While scams take many forms, scammers may seek payment through a few hard-to-trace methods with few or no protections, including gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, peer-to-peer apps and, more recently, gold bars.

Criminals impersonating law enforcement or bank employees may convince targets to protect their bank accounts from an active hack by withdrawing their savings and purchasing gold bars as a way to keep their money safe. Then they send a courier to pick up the gold bars for ‘safekeeping.’ This scheme is happening across the country and victims are having their entire life savings stolen in this way. If your bank calls about an urgent matter, hang up and call them back at a number you know to be legitimate.

Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.

Winter is still here and many of us would do just about anything to find some warm weather. Enter the cruise scam. Many of these trips to nowhere literally pop up online as a “free” incentive or a can’t-miss deal. What they really are is an attempt to steal your information or your money.
Here are three tips for avoiding a cruise scam when shopping for your spring getaway.

1. Beware of starting with a search engine: Scammers buy ads and use fake websites to appear at the top of results. Consider starting your search on trusted cruise line websites instead.
2. Check the source: If you receive unsolicited cruise offers, investigate the company to verify its legitimacy, ask questions and study the fine print before booking.
3. Pay with a credit card: If you’ve done your homework and are ready to make the investment, credit cards offer the strongest and most immediate fraud protection.

Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.

It’s National Consumer Protection Week—and while AARP is focused on protecting consumers year-round—this is a good time to highlight some key consumer protection tips.

Make certain to use strong and unique passwords on all online accounts – look into password managers as an easier way to tackle this challenge. Where offered, use multi-factor authentication, where you receive a code by text, phone, or installed app, to add a layer of protection beyond your username and password. Rather than clicking links from texts and emails from your bank or from businesses you have accounts with, go to your app if you have one, or to a web browser and type the address in yourself—that way you know you are going to the legitimate site. Also, freeze your credit with the three main credit reporting agencies – TransUnion, Experian and Equifax – to block attempts to use any of your sensitive personal information that may have been exposed to open accounts in your name. Learn how at annualcreditreport.com/securityFreezeBasics.action.

Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.

Dealing with fraud in the aftermath can be fraught – not knowing where or if you should report (you should – it’s a crime), feelings of shame (even though it’s not your fault – blame the perpetrator), and an often-overwhelming emotional toll – let alone the financial impact.

One resource is the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline. Every weekday from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. EST, trained AARP volunteer fraud fighters are helping victims and their families understand what happened, report the crime, and plan next steps to put their lives back together. That number is 1-877-908-3360.

AARP also offers an online small group victim support program to help address the emotional harm fraud victimization causes. These conversations are completely confidential and are a wonderful way to receive support from others. Sign up for a session today at aarp.org/fraudsupport.

Experiencing a scam can be devastating, but it doesn’t have to define you. If you or someone you know has been the victim of fraud, make sure to file a report with local police; among other things, this may be useful in the event restitution becomes possible down the line.

Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.