AARP Virginia

At the start of World War II, German U-boats were inflicting heavy losses on Allied ships. The Nazis coordinated their attacks by sending coded messages using an encryption system that “seemed to be unbreakable,” said Dan Sherman, an AARP Community Ambassador and expert on the subject.

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.

It’s a blessing to care for loved ones, but you also have to take care of yourself. That means financially, too.

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.

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.

In honor of National Family Caregivers Month in November, AARP Virginia is working to help nearly 1 million family caregivers in the state, who in 2021 provided $14.3 billion in unpaid care for loved ones. Go to events.aarp.org/VACare.

New Data Show 23% of Adults in Virginia Provide Care, Spotlighting Urgent Need for Action to Support Family Caregivers

In August, AARP testified before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging to spotlight a growing threat to Americans: fraud carried out by translational 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.

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 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.