Tag: Fraud Alert

Gift cards are popular and convenient for consumers—and for criminals who favor them as easy and hard-to-trace forms of payment.

They may claim the fastest way to fix an urgent financial problem is to go to a store, load a specific amount of money onto one or more gift cards (sometimes called electronic vouchers), and then share the activation numbers from the back of the card. No legitimate government agency or business will ever accept payment this way.

If you or someone you love has experienced this financial crime, turn the card over and call the issuer at the number provided; they may be able to freeze the card before some or all of the funds are drained. You should also report this crime to law enforcement to document what happened should there be a means of restitution down the road.

Fraud affects every generation, and AARP Fraud Watch Network is helping people fight back—one community at a time. By learning together and sharing information, we can better protect one another.

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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.

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Reports of sweepstakes scams to the AARP Fraud Watch Network™ Helpline are on the rise. The prospect of a big financial windfall or amazing vacation plays on our emotions. Criminals count on our excitement to deceive us into paying a fee or divulging sensitive information.

Know that no legitimate sweepstakes or contest requires payment in advance or sharing your Social Security number or bank account details.

If an unexpected message sparks strong emotions and demands urgency, treat it as a potential fraud attempt. Take an “active pause”—an intentional step back to consider the scenario and reflect on what you might know about it. That moment could lead you to recognize the scam and protect yourself and your assets.

Fraud affects every generation, and AARP Fraud Watch Network is helping people fight back—one community at a time. By learning together and sharing information, we can better protect one another.

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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.

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After the loss of a loved one, families deserve support—not scams. Unfortunately, criminals comb through obituaries, funeral home websites, and online memorials to find names and personal details they can use to target families.

The schemes include impersonating the funeral home or cemetery about payment issues, appearing as a “long-lost” relative, promising healing through “spiritual advisers,” and identity fraud against the deceased loved one.

In the wake of a loved one’s death, consider the public nature of an obituary and online memorials, and limit information that could be used to deceive you. If the funeral home calls demanding money, hang up and call them back at a number you know to be legitimate. And if a “long-lost” relative or friend reaches out, ask other family members or longtime friends if they know the person.

Fraud affects every generation, and AARP Fraud Watch Network is helping people fight back—one community at a time. By learning together and sharing information, we can better protect one another.

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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.

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The AARP Fraud Watch Network™ Helpline (877-908-3360) is hearing from more people about misleading “free trial” offers. These schemes make cancellation difficult, if not impossible.

In many cases, someone signs up for what appears to be a free trial and then cancels before having to pay for the subscription. However, the charges continue to appear each month, and the companies make it hard to cancel them. Before you sign up for a free trial offer, review all the terms and conditions to understand exactly what you’re agreeing to, how and when to cancel, and what happens if you don’t.

Also, review your bank and credit card statements carefully and watch for recurring charges you didn’t authorize—even after you’ve canceled.

Fraud affects every generation, and AARP Fraud Watch Network is helping people fight back—one community at a time. By learning together and sharing information, we can better protect one another.

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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.

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Take an active pause!

You receive an unexpected communication from the Social Security Administration (SSA). It might warn that your Social Security number has been linked to criminal activity and suspended, or it could offer good news, such as a supposed benefit increase. Regardless of the story, the goal is the same: to steal sensitive information or money.

Most scams come to us with three common red flags: a contact from out of the blue that heightens our emotions and contains urgency. When you notice these three red flags together, take what AARP calls an “active pause.” Take an intentional step back and reflect on what you might know about the scenario – “Does this make sense? Have I heard something about this before?” This pause gives you time to apply logic—something the criminal playbook is written to avoid—and protect yourself and your assets.

If someone contacts you saying they represent the SSA, call the agency directly at 800‑772‑1213 or visit ssa.gov/myaccount instead of responding directly to the communication. If you shared your Social Security number and believe it was part of a scam, go to IDtheft.gov for step-by-step guidance.

Fraud affects every generation, and AARP Fraud Watch Network is helping people fight back—one community at a time. By learning together and sharing information, we can better protect one another.

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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.

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The AARP Fraud Watch Network™ Helpline (877-908-3360) has seen a spike in “recall scams.” In these schemes, perpetrators send a message claiming that a product you purchased has been recalled because of a safety issue.

The message looks official and urgent, often appearing to come from a trusted retailer like Amazon, Costco, or Walmart. It may include language such as, “To ensure your safety and process your full refund without delay, please sign in to your account through the official website and review your order below.” The link provided, however, is fake and designed to steal your personal information.

If you receive a message like this, don’t click. Instead, go directly to the company’s official website or app and check your account there. You can also confirm real recall information through the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission at cpsc.gov/Recalls.

Most legitimate recalls advise consumers to stop using the product rather than asking them to take immediate action.

Fraud affects every generation, and AARP Fraud Watch Network is helping people fight back—one community at a time. By learning together and sharing information, we can better protect one another.

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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.

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Scams are everywhere today—from fake texts and emails to nonstop phone calls—and the damage is devastating. According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lost as much as $196 billion to financial fraud in 2024, with older adults losing as much as $81.5 billion.

This April, AARP is mounting a nationwide Fraud Prevention Month, through which volunteers across the country will host hundreds of free local events that offer practical ways to stay informed, safe, and connected. Many sites will also offer free, safe document shredding to help prevent identity theft.

You can also join us from the comfort of your home on April 15 for a special fraud prevention broadcast on RFD‑TV and online, or pick up the phone for a nationwide Tele‑Town Hall with AARP fraud experts on April 30. Learn more at aarp.org/fraudsafety.

Fraud affects every generation, and AARP Fraud Watch Network is helping people fight back—one community at a time. By learning together and sharing information, we can better protect one another.

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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.

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If you own a home, you’ve probably received a solicitation saying, “We want to buy your house.” The offer may sound appealing, but it’s often not in your best interest.

These sell‑your‑home schemes often target older homeowners who are likely to have significant home equity. The bad actors search public records for foreclosure filings, divorces, or recent deaths to identify homeowners who may be under financial or emotional stress.

They frequently rely on high‑pressure sales tactics and misleading claims—including misrepresenting the value of your home, exaggerating market conditions to create a false sense of urgency, or even suggesting you may owe back taxes.

Even promises to buy homes “as is” can be misleading. In some cases, buyers later back out of that pledge and demand repairs before completing the sale, leaving the seller responsible for costly fixes after all.

If you’re thinking about working with a “We Buy Homes” company, know the true value of your home, understand what you’re signing, and get legal advice before moving forward.

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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.

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IRS impostor scams tend to spike during tax season, and a new change in how refunds are issued could create added confusion and opportunities for scammers.

Starting this year, the IRS will only issue tax refunds electronically as the federal government moves away from paper checks. Changes like this are often used by scammers to make their messages sound more believable.

Scammers impersonating the IRS may contact you claiming they need your banking information to “update your refund details” because of the new rule. Know that the IRS generally will not call, text, or email you. Rather, the agency will send a letter to the taxpayer’s last known address explaining next steps or requesting additional information.

If you’re unsure whether a message is legitimate, don’t engage. Instead, confirm your tax refund or payment status by contacting the IRS directly using a trusted phone number from an official IRS letter, or by logging in to your IRS Online Account if you have one.

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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.

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It’s National Consumer Protection Week, and while AARP works year‑round to help protect people from fraud, this is a good time to talk about how and why to report fraud.

Fraud is widely underreported in this country. Sometimes, people don’t realize that fraud is a crime. Other times, victims don’t report because of undeserved feelings of shame or embarrassment. The lack of a single, centralized reporting system may also deter reporting. Here is some guidance on where you can report.  

Your bank: If you recognize a scam right away and it involves your financial institution, contact them immediately. They may be able to stop or reverse transactions, or freeze your account to help prevent additional payments or withdrawals by scammers.

Local law enforcement: Filing a report creates an official record, which may be helpful for future restitution. Reporting also matters because the more people who come forward, the more information law enforcement has to identify patterns and catch criminals.

The feds: You can also report scams to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. While federal agencies don’t typically follow up on individual cases, these reports help them track trends and better understand the scope of the problem.

Lawmakers: Consider sharing your experience with lawmakers — including local legislators, your state attorney general and Members of Congress. The more they hear directly from constituents about fraud, the more likely they are to take action to address it.

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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.

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