Category: Community Service

The holiday season usually means fun with friends and family, goodwill and giving. Unfortunately, it’s also a prime time for cybercriminals to perpetrate fraud. Here are some common holiday scams to look out for this holiday season:

Online shopping scams. Criminals create professional-looking websites and ads promoting popular items at steep discounts, but what you receive may be different than advertised—if you receive anything. Be cautious of unusually low prices and avoid clicking on ads in emails, texts, or social media. For safer shopping, go directly to a trusted retailer’s website or app and pay with a credit card for stronger protections.

Delivery scams. As holiday packages crisscross the country, scammers send out phishing emails and texts that appear to be from UPS, FedEx, or the U.S. Postal Service, notifying recipients about incoming or missed deliveries. Links lead to fake sign-in pages that request personal information, or to sites that may be infected with malware.

Gift card scams. Criminals steal gift cards in bulk from store racks, collect the information from the card, and return them to the  rack for unsuspecting buyers. When the gift card is bought, criminals immediately drain the money. It is safer to buy cards that are kept behind the counter, or directly from the retailer’s site.

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Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.

The holiday deals are already rolling in, but not every offer you see online is the real deal.

Fraud criminals often create websites that look professional and offer big discounts on popular items.  But after you pay for the item, the product you receive might be of poor quality, not what was advertised, or it never arrives at all.

Be cautious of any online offer that’s priced way below what other retailers are charging. The safest way to shop is by using trusted retailers’ apps or typing their website directly into your browser — not by clicking links from texts, emails, or ads.

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Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.

Social media can make it feel like we’re closer than ever to our favorite celebrities. But if a musician, actor, or athlete you admire suddenly sends you a private message, don’t get starstruck—get skeptical. It’s almost certainly a scam.

That personal attention isn’t coming from the celebrity. It’s from a criminal impersonating them or someone close to them. These scammers build trust through private messages, tailoring their approach based on your responses, sometimes turning it into a romance scam or a charity scam. The story may change, but the goal is always the same – to steal money and personal information. 

Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are making these scams even harder to spot. Criminals can now mimic voices, alter photos and craft polished messages without the spelling or grammar mistakes that once were red flags. Some even create fake ads or livestreams featuring celebrities who appear to endorse products or causes.

Enjoy following celebrities online, just remember that engaging with their posts can make you more visible to scammers. If an unexpected message sparks high emotion (like excitement) and involves urgency, let that be your signal to disengage because it’s likely a scam.

Report fake celebrity accounts or impostors directly to the social media platform. If you’re the victim of a scam, report it to law enforcement and insist on a record in case of possible future restitution.  

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Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, more money is reported stolen through fraud originating on social media than by any other method of contact. Reports to the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline show a rise in scams on TikTok. Many are recycled fraud tactics with a social media twist. Here are three ways to help protect yourself.

Check your privacy settings. Limit who can see your posts and which apps can access your information.

Be skeptical of direct messages. Scammers often pose as celebrities, influencers, or even friends to request money, solicit “donations,” or promote fake investments. Red flags should go up if a friendly conversation turns into mentorship or romance that offers “investment” advice involving cryptocurrency.

Shop carefully on social platforms. TikTok Shop, Facebook Marketplace, and similar sites can host scams where products are misrepresented, poor quality, or never delivered. Review seller ratings, be wary of prices that seem far below market value, and use a credit card for the best protection.

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Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.

Veterans Day, celebrated each year November 11, is a time to honor the service and sacrifice of those who have served in the U.S. armed forces. It’s also a reminder of the need to protect veterans beyond their time in uniform.

Earlier this year, AARP surveyed veterans and active-duty military service members to learn more about their experiences and concerns around fraud. The findings reveal that veterans face a higher risk of fraud and are often targeted with tactics related to their military background, benefits, or deep sense of trust.

Nearly four in ten veterans, representing more than 7.5 million people, say they’ve received solicitations from someone pretending to be from the Department of Veterans Affairs or another government agency. About 28%, an estimated 5.5 million veterans, believe their veteran status made them a target.

While many veterans are already taking steps to stay safe online, more than one in three say there aren’t enough resources available to help protect them. That’s where the AARP Veterans Fraud Center comes in. This online education and resource hub helps veterans, service members, and their families learn how to spot and avoid scams.

Learn more about this research and the work AARP is doing to support America’s veterans at aarp.org/vetsfraudcenter.

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Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.