Category: Community Service

As the year winds down and the season of giving sets in, many people look to support causes they care about—but telling a legitimate charity from a fake one can be tough. While reputable organizations make their year-end push for donations, criminals also take advantage of this opportunity to line their own pockets.

Common signs of a charity scam include requests for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, as well as high-pressure demands to donate immediately. Legitimate charities may also encourage timely giving, but they will welcome your support at any time.

To help ensure your donation reaches those who truly need it, do your research. Check organizations on sites such as give.org, CharityNavigator.org or CharityWatch.org to confirm legitimacy and find out how much of the funds are used to serve its stated mission versus overhead and fundraising.

Pay close attention to the charity’s name and web address, as criminals often mimic the names of familiar, trusted organizations to deceive donors. Also, be cautious of links in unsolicited emails, texts, or social media messages, which can lead to fake donation websites and expose your device to malware.

When you do donate, use a credit card. It’s easier to track your contribution, and if your card is misused, you have protection against loss. To avoid feeling pressured by unexpected solicitations, consider having a set list of charities you support. That way, you can give confidently and on your own terms.

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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.

With the holiday travel season fast approaching, scammers are poised to capitalize on travelers needing help with last-minute flight changes and cancellations. Don’t let  fake customer service  derail your trip – or drain your wallet. Here’s a few things you should know to stay ahead of airline call center scams.

Just because an airline customer service helpline number appears at the top of internet search results doesn’t mean it’s legitimate. Fraudulent numbers often surface in search results, and scammers constantly find new ways to make their numbers appear first. To avoid this risk, download your airline’s official app. In addition to providing the airline’s verified 800 number, the app delivers real-time flight notifications and other important updates.

Be on the lookout for red flags, such as aggressive tactics pushing you to buy a ticket immediately because “the price will go up.” And if your flight is canceled, you usually do not need to pay to be rebooked. Any “agent” requesting a credit card to do so is likely after your money, not your flight.

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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.

With holiday shopping—and shipping—comes the risk of package theft. Thieves — often called “Porch Pirates” — steal millions of packages from American doorsteps each year, totaling billions of dollars in merchandise. You can help protect your deliveries with a few simple steps.

Opt into delivery alerts, allowing you to track your package and know exactly when items arrive. If you won’t be home, ask a trusted person to pick it up, or instruct the delivery person to place it out of sight.

Consider requesting a signature upon delivery to ensure your package is handed to someone directly. You can also use alternative pickup options, such as ship-to-store or secure locations offered by major retailers and delivery services.

If you’re going out of town, ask USPS, FedEx, or UPS to hold your mail and packages until you return. USPS can hold mail for up to 30 days, and FedEx and UPS offer similar vacation hold options.

Stay informed and work with your neighbors. Agree to watch out for each other’s deliveries and offer to take in mail when needed. Community resources like Nextdoor.com, Crime Stoppers, and social media updates from local law enforcement can also alert you to porch piracy in your area.

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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 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.