Tag: AARP Fraud Watch

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.

In August, AARP testified before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging to spotlight a growing threat to Americans: fraud carried out by transnational organized crime groups. Operating openly abroad, these networks are draining billions of dollars from victims, local communities and economies every year. Older adults are navigating a minefield of increasingly sophisticated scams that threaten not only their lifetime savings but even their homes, independence, and health. Money that was saved for retirement is instead supporting illicit activity around the world.

AARP is urging lawmakers to step up and strengthen fraud prevention through legislation. With AARP’s support, several states have taken action, drafting or passing laws that target real estate and romance scams, cryptocurrency kiosk fraud, suspicious financial transactions and gift card theft.

But it’s not just about changing laws – it’s about changing the culture around fraud. AARP continues its work to change how we talk about and think about fraud victims; see aarp.org/saythis. Across the country, our state offices and volunteers are leading or joining local efforts to create task forces bringing together law enforcement, attorneys general, regulatory agencies, bank tellers and nonprofits to work together on addressing fraud. If you’re interested in joining over 1,000 AARP fraud fighter volunteers engaged in these and other activities to fight fraud, email us at fwn@aarp.org.

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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.

Nearly all of us use social media to stay connected with friends and family. Unfortunately, scammers use social media to connect with us, too. Before accepting a friend request on your social media platforms, keep these tips in mind to protect yourself from scams.

Fraud criminals are adept at copying people’s social media profiles to impersonate them. Indeed, Facebook reportedly shut down more than one billion fake accounts in the third quarter of 2024 alone. Criminals use cloned accounts to reach out to the actual person’s friend list for nefarious reasons: to fake a problem they need help with, to access sensitive information, or send out malicious links to the real person’s friends. To make sure you are hearing from the person and not a clone of that person’s profile, double-check that you are not already friends with them. If not, reach out if you can to the person by phone, email, or text to confirm that the request is real.

Finally, adjust the privacy settings of your account to limit who can see your posts and your profile details. Information like your workplace, school, or hometown can all be used by scammers to build convincing cloned accounts and target your network.

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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.

Fraud today is largely run by sophisticated, large-scale operations led by transnational crime groups, stealing an estimated $158 billion from Americans in a single year. This is not just a consumer education issue — it’s a national security threat that demands urgent attention.

That’s why AARP has joined the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program’s National Task Force on Fraud and Scam Prevention. Alongside more than 80 organizations — including financial institutions, technology companies, law enforcement, federal agencies and consumer advocates — we helped launch a proposal for the first ever national fraud strategy that lays out a blueprint for stronger, coordinated action to combat fraud.

This strategy marks a shift from fragmented efforts to a coordinated defense and is a critical step forward with clear pathways for government and industry to work together to establish a whole-of-society response to the fraud threat.

AARP is proud to be part of this effort, and we look forward to working with partners and policymakers to improve collaboration, modernize information sharing and reporting, and enhance law enforcement capabilities in the fight against fraud that harm millions of Americans.

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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.

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month – a great time to remind ourselves just how much of our lives take place online and the potential threats that exist in the digital world. Any device that stores information or connects to the internet could become a target for cybercriminals seeking to steal your data. Here are four important ways to help stay safe online.

First, always use strong, unique passwords for each online account you own. Even better, investigate options for getting a free or low-cost password manager such as Bitwarden, Dashlane, LastPass, and others. Newer to the marketplace are passkeys that offer hope that we can move beyond passwords. They verify a user with a biometric (like facial or fingerprint recognition) tied to the device being used to gain access. You can read more about them at aarp.org/personal-technology/passkeys-future.

Second, set up multi-factor authentication when available as added security that goes beyond your username and password to verify that it’s you using your account or device.

Third, turn on automatic software updates to keep your devices up-to-date and secure.

And finally, know that it’s no longer safe to click on links from emails, texts, and online ads. Instead, type web addresses into your browser to ensure you aren’t sent to a copycat site and stick to sites you know and trust.

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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.

October marks the start of Medicare open enrollment, and unfortunately, the peak season for Medicare fraud. From October 15 to December 7, eligible beneficiaries can review options and make changes to their Medicare health and Part D prescription drug plans. But not every offer is what it seems.

Each year, criminals take advantage of open enrollment season by posing as insurance providers. They may call, email or show up offering free gifts or limited-time offers, all designed to steal your money, Medicare information, or even your identity.

At the same time, advances in modern medical technology create new opportunities for fraud criminals. Medicare beneficiaries should be cautious of devices advertised as medical monitors or promoted for uses they weren’t designed for. To stay safe, rely only on equipment prescribed by your doctor.

To protect yourself from Medicare schemes, avoid sharing personal information with anyone who contacts you unexpectedly about Medicare. Legitimate plans can only reach out if you’ve requested information or already have an existing relationship with them. Beneficiaries can safely compare legitimate plans and change enrollment by going to medicare.gov or by calling 800-633-4227.

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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.

Identity fraud and scams are a massive and growing problem, but there are things each of us can do to protect against identity fraud, even if our data has been exposed.

One way to help safeguard your personal information is to enable automatic updates on your device’s operating system and antivirus software. These updates often fix known security vulnerabilities that criminals could exploit.[JP1] 

Another way to stay protected is to be cautious of unsolicited calls, texts, emails and social media messages. Criminals spoof phone numbers and impersonate trusted sources to appear legitimate. Avoid clicking on links in emails, texts or online ads. Rather, type the web address of the company whose site you want to visit directly into you web browser. Let your voicemail or answering machine handle unfamiliar calls. If the call is important, the person will likely leave a message, and you can verify the number and information before calling back.

Despite the rise of online threats, criminals still rely on traditional methods like dumpster diving to steal personal information. Shred anything containing sensitive information that you don’t need to keep for specific purposes. For example, shred credit card statements, sales receipts, medical statements and credit offers that you no longer need. AARP offers free document shredding and other fraud-related events across the country. To see if one is planned near you, visit aarp.org/local

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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.

Peer-to-peer (P2P) payment apps like Venmo, Zelle, and Cash App have made sending money between family and friends easier than ever. But consumers beware: while these apps make exchanging money fast and convenient, they also make it quick and seamless for criminals to steal your money through a variety of tactics.

You might get a message that appears to be from a loved one in trouble who needs you to send money quick through a P2P app. Or you may see a “discount” for an online marketplace product if you make the payment through a P2P app, only to discover the seller is a scammer.

Another common scam involves someone “accidentally” sending you money via a P2P service and then asking you to return it. However, their initial payment will later bounce like a bad check, leaving you responsible for any funds you sent back.

It’s best to use P2P apps to send money to friends, family, and other people you know and trust. These apps do not have the same consumer protections as credit cards. Transactions are like paying cash — instantaneous and usually irreversible. If you receive an unexpected payment, don’t accept it and report it to the app provider.

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.