Reprinted with permission from AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.
To protect yourself, protect your Medicare number. Don’t share it with anyone who contacts you out of the blue. Be wary of offers for free medical equipment or services that you are told Medicare will cover. The only equipment or services Medicare will cover are those that are prescribed by your doctor.
Review your Medicare statements regularly and report anything suspicious to your medical provider. If your concern persists, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE.
Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.
Reprinted with permission from AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.
The impact of elder financial abuse is profound. While abuse can come from known perpetrators like caregivers or family members, scams carried out by strangers are also a major threat. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission estimated that criminals stole as much as $61.5 billion from adults age 60 and over in 2023 alone. With World Elder Abuse Awareness Day coming up on June 15, it’s a timely reminder that we can take steps to prevent the financial exploitation of older adults.
Encourage older adults in your life to add a trusted contact to their financial accounts. This person won’t have access to make transactions but can be notified if there’s suspicious activity or if the account holder can’t be reached.
Freezing credit is an important way to prevent unauthorized accounts from being opened in their name. Additionally, help reduce exposure to phone-based scams by setting up robocall and text message blockers through their mobile carriers or reputable apps.
Small actions like these can go a long way to protecting the financial well-being of older adults and ourselves.
Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.
Reprinted with permission from AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.
If your phone’s been lighting up with messages saying you owe a road toll, you’re not alone. Criminals are blasting out fake texts pretending to be from government agencies or toll services. Their goal? To scare or rush you into clicking a link, handing over personal info or making a payment.
Here’s what you need to know: legitimate toll agencies don’t collect payment via text message, and they won’t threaten you over a missed toll.
If you get a message about unpaid tolls, do not respond or click on any links—even if it looks legit. Instead, check your account using the state tolling agency or transponder company’s legitimate website or phone number—not information from the message.
Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.
Reprinted with permission from AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.
QR codes are everywhere – from restaurant menus to package tracking. But where there is innovation, there are criminals exploiting them for fraud. QR codes are now being used by scammers to lead you to phishing websites, where they may steal sensitive details like banking info, login credentials and more.
Before acting on a QR code in the real world, check for signs of manipulation (a sticker over the original QR, for example). And you don’t have to use a QR code – if you’re at a restaurant, ask for the printed menu. Also, look at emailed or texted QR codes with suspicion; the point of them is to link you to a website when you’re not otherwise online.
Just like when clicking links, it is important to use caution when scanning QR codes to ensure the source is trustworthy.
Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.
Reprinted with permission from AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.
Criminals are always looking for ways to get your personal information to use in criminal activities. The good news is that there are many steps you can take to help protect your data and minimize its value to criminals. Here are three:
Create stronger passwords: Better protect yourself by using strong and unique passwords or passphrases or consider using a password manager to store and generate strong passwords securely.
Use multi-factor authentication: A second layer of defense to your accounts makes it harder for cybercriminals to gain access. Check account settings for two-factor authentication, two-step verification, or multi-factor authentication, and follow the setup instructions.
Keep your operating system updated: Sometimes those updates are to patch a known vulnerability; set yours – and your antivirus protection – to update automatically.
Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.
Reprinted with permission from AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.
Checks might seem like something from the past, but scammers often use fake checks in their crimes so they can exploit the time it takes for them to bounce. During that waiting period, scammers will ask you to act on those funds. But once the check bounces, any amount you acted on is gone. This tactic shows up in several scam types from fake job and work-from-home scams (the fake check is to purchase equipment from the “employer” or for you to wire or otherwise send funds to “vendors”), to a seemingly innocent overpayment you received where you’re asked to send part of the money back.
It’s important to know that, just because the check looks like it cleared, it doesn’t mean it has – it can take time for a bank to validate a check, but the federal rules are to make the amount available, usually within 24-48 hours. Use caution when accepting a check: ensure it is validated by your bank and reject seeming overpayments where you’re asked to pay back the overage to the sender.
Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.
Reprinted with permission from AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.
Who wouldn’t want to win thousands or even millions of dollars, or the chance to go on a luxury vacation? There are many legitimate sweepstakes and contests out there, and the idea of winning some fabulous prize can be mighty alluring. Criminals get that, and they exploit our excitement to score that big check or dream trip.
When a sweepstakes or a contest is fraudulent, there is often a big red flag: you must first pay upfront fees or taxes to get your prize. No legitimate sweepstakes or contest requires upfront payment. Another clue is if you are asked to share sensitive information to receive your prize, such as your Social Security number or bank account information. Again, this is something perpetrators do, not legitimate entities.
If you find yourself reacting to an out-of-the-blue communication with a heightened emotion, and it comes to you with great urgency, let that be an indicator or a fraud attempt. Take an “active pause” – consider what you are being confronted with, what you might know about it, and then react with intention. That moment of deliberation could be what keeps you safe.
Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.
Reprinted with permission from AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.
Several scams rely on convincing the target to deposit a check as a first step of the crime. They then convince the target to use the money in a specific way. For example, in some work-from-home scams, the “Company” will send a check for deposit, and then once it “clears,” they direct the target to purchase needed office equipment from the company’s “catalog.”
The catch? The check was fake and it bounced, and the equipment catalogue was fake, too. The money the target spent on “equipment” came from their own money. And, the equipment never comes.
Even though a check deposit may appear to be cleared on your banking app or website, the process can take several weeks. The criminals rely on most of us not knowing this, so they get us to deposit and then quickly transact against the deposit. When the check is determined to be fake, the target is out that money. Be suspicious anytime someone wants to send a check that you then must act on with some immediacy – making purchases, paying a fee or sending funds to a third party for example.
Be suspicious anytime someone wants to send a check that you then must act on with some immediacy – making purchases, paying a fee or sending funds to a third party for example.
Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.
Reprinted with permission from AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.
The deadline is coming – in fact, it’s almost here. Beginning May 7, 2025, airline passengers need an enhanced driver’s license, known as Real ID, or a passport to board a plane. This change is based on a recommendation of the 9/11 Commission as a way to improve airline safety. Beware — anytime there is a deadline there will also be scams.
Most Real ID scams will likely be phishing attempts that appear to be from a legitimate source, such as your state DMV or the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Be wary of emails, texts or phone calls claiming to be from these agencies — or another state agency — and never click on links. These government offices will not contact you about Real ID. It is an optional license and is up to each individual to obtain it on their own.
For more information about obtaining a Real ID, contact your state or local DMV office or visit dhs.gov/real-id.
Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.
Reprinted with permission from AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.
April 15 is almost here, and many Americans are realizing that their plans to do their own taxes this year didn’t work out. If you’re one of them and looking for some last-minute help, here’s what to look out for to avoid fraudulent tax preparers.
Pay attention to payment and promises. Tax scammers may ask for payment in cash up-front or ask to be paid a percentage of your return. Some might also promise a large return before they even see your paperwork. These are all red flags. No one can guarantee you a return nor should anyone be paid in advance or more than a standard fee.
Another warning sign is someone who avoids filling out their tax preparer ID or refuses to sign your return. Anyone who isn’t willing to identify themselves on your tax forms or asks you to sign your tax return before it’s completed shouldn’t be trusted.
Tax season can be stressful, but resources are available at IRS.gov to help you find a reliable and safe professional to help you through it.
Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.
