Tag: Scam Alert

As rising summer temperatures cause energy demands to increase, criminals exploit fears of losing power and air conditioning by posing as local utility companies.

Scammers place threatening phone calls, phishing emails, or urgent text messages aimed at convincing consumers to supply personal data or to click on unverified links to resolve a past-due balance. Oftentimes these schemes are accompanied by a push to receive instant payment through unconventional payment methods like gift cards, or cryptocurrency.  

If you receive an unexpected threat to terminate your service, take an active pause and contact the utility company’s customer service department using the number from your physical bill or the company’s website (don’t search – go directly to the site) to check your account status. Chances are it’s a scam.

---

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.

---

Share this news!

• Mail
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Pinterest
• Threads
• Print

With fuel pumps and ATM’s as frequent targets, a surge of skimming devices is threatening consumers. Criminals attach sophisticated skimmers directly over legitimate card slots or splice them into internal wiring to secretly record your financial data.

Many modern skimming devices closely resemble real hardware, making them difficult to detect at first glance. Vulnerable targets include standalone ATM’s, unattended retail checkout lines, and card terminals located in busy tourist areas.

The next time you fill your tank or use a card terminal, inspect the machine closely for loose, bent, crooked, or scratched components. Pull firmly on the card slot or wiggle the keypad before inserting your card. If anything feels loose or altered, do not use it and notify an employee immediately. To help stay safe, choose tap-to-pay options or digital wallets over physical insertion. Use credit cards for stronger fraud protections.

---

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.

---

Share this news!

• Mail
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Pinterest
• Threads
• Print

Summer is peak moving season, and who you hire matters. Criminals often advertise low prices and provide unusually cheap estimates—sometimes without even seeing your belongings.

Once hired, they may demand a cash deposit or full payment up front, raise the price at the last minute, or hold your belongings hostage until you pay more. In some cases, they never show up at all.

To help avoid scams and find a reputable mover, get written estimates from multiple companies and research each one carefully. Check reviews and verify credentials before hiring. With so much to manage during a move, choosing the right moving company is one detail worth sweating.

---

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.

---

Share this news!

• Mail
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Pinterest
• Threads
• Print

Criminals often impersonate major brands with large audiences—and Amazon is one of them.

The impact of elder financial abuse is significant. While it can involve trusted individuals like caregivers or family members, scams by strangers are also a major threat. In 2024 alone, the Federal Trade Commission estimated that criminals stole as much as $81.5 billion from adults age 60 and over. With World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, it’s a reminder that small steps can help prevent financial exploitation.

Encourage older adults in your life to add a trusted contact to their financial accounts. This person can’t make transactions but can be alerted to suspicious activity or if the account holder can’t be reached.

Freezing credit can help prevent unauthorized accounts from being opened in their name. You can also reduce exposure to phone-based scams by setting up robocall and text blockers through mobile carriers or trusted apps. Small actions like these can make a big difference in protecting financial well-being.

---

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.

---

Share this news!

• Mail
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Pinterest
• Threads
• Print

Criminals often impersonate major brands with large audiences—and Amazon is one of them.

In two newer tactics, scammers send text messages claiming a recent order was recalled, with a link to a fake Amazon website designed to steal account information. Or you get an email saying your Amazon Prime subscription is renewing at an unusually high price, prompting you to click a “cancel subscription” button that leads to a fake sign-in page.

If you have an Amazon account and get a communication seemingly from Amazon, sign into your account with the Amazon app or online at Amazon.com to see if there is a problem. You can report suspicious messages at amazon.com/reportascam or by emailing reportascam@amazon.com.

---

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.

---

Share this news!

• Mail
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Pinterest
• Threads
• Print

After toll road scams spread last summer, a new version is surging—texts claiming you owe money for a traffic or parking violation.

These messages often include an official-looking notice offering a court date or a small fine (around $6), with a QR code for immediate payment to avoid penalties. They may mention your location or use fake case numbers to appear legitimate and create a sense of urgency.

If an unexpected message like this sparks strong emotions and demands urgency, treat it as a potential scam. Report the message as spam and avoid responding, clicking links or scanning QR codes. If you think the claim may be real, contact the court or agency directly using trusted contact information.

---

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.

---

Share this news!

• Mail
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Pinterest
• Threads
• Print

Chances are you’ve signed up for a rewards or loyalty program at some point—even if you rarely check your account. These are popular targets for this very reason—loyalty account owners don’t tend to monitor their balances the way they might monitor financial accounts.  

Criminals hack into loyalty and rewards accounts through phishing messages, malware-infected sites that collect your data, and stealing username and password combinations. Once inside, they transfer the points or redeem them.

Protect your rewards by protecting your accounts with strong, unique passwords and turn on multi-factor authentication whenever possible. Sign up for account alerts so you’re notified of any changes or suspicious activity. And if something looks off, contact the loyalty program directly through your account or a phone number you know is legitimate.

---

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.

---

Share this news!

• Mail
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Pinterest
• Threads
• Print

Home repairs are inevitable—whether from everyday wear and tear or unexpected damage. But when you’re looking for help, the wrong contractor can make matters worse. Some promise quick, low-cost fixes, then deliver poor work, damage your property, or disappear before the job is done.

Be cautious of contractors who show up uninvited and say they can start work right away, pressure you to make quick decisions, or ask for cash up front. After severe weather, shady contractors may also push you to sign over insurance payments or take out loans for payment.

Always take time to review your options before agreeing to any work. Get at least three bids, check references and reviews, and read contracts carefully before signing. Don’t agree to pay the full cost upfront. While a deposit may be required, it should not exceed a third of the total estimate.

---

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.

---

Share this news!

• Mail
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Pinterest
• Threads
• Print

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.

---

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.

---

Share this news!

• Mail
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Pinterest
• Threads
• Print

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.

---

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.

---

Share this news!

• Mail
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Pinterest
• Threads
• Print