Protect Yourself, Family & Friends from Fraud

It's a startling fact: By the time you read this sentence, 3 people in America will have had their identities stolen.

 

You hear about it almost every day. Financial and personal information falls into the hands of unscrupulous con artists who make a living stealing your money. Here are just a few of the scams we have confirmed:

 

• Your phone rings at night when you are trying to get dinner. A young voice says, “Grandpa, I’m in trouble (in another country). Please send money right away.”
•  You receive an email from that looks like it’s from your bank, requesting personal information.
•  You get a call from someone telling you that you’ve won a lottery, and they need your personal information to send you payment.

 

With these and many more scams, con artists are trying to take what’s yours. It's happening to Alabamians all over our state, costing hundreds of millions of dollars a year. AARP Alabama needs more help to fight against this growing problem. We need your help.

 
Join AARP Alabama’s new Fraud Watch Network volunteer team and help us teach others how to protect themselves. Our goal is to arm people with information to safeguard against scams, identity theft, bogus investments and fake charities. We’ll provide you with training and materials. Plus, you’ll join a great group of volunteers helping to prevent these crimes. And it’s free.

 

Help us spread the word in your area. The time commitment for a Fraud Watch Network volunteer is no more than a couple of hours a month. All AARP volunteers are reimbursed for mileage and expenses authorized by AARP Alabama. To apply for this program or to learn about other AARP Alabama volunteer opportunities, contact Anne Hails at ahails@aarp.org.

 

If you’re in the Mobile area, come see a presentation and learn to protect yourself.  The next scheduled event is February 25, at 10 a.m., at the VIA Health Fitness and Enrichment Center, 1717 Dauphin St. in Mobile. Please register so we’ll know to expect you. To register, call 877-926-8300, or do it online: https://aarp.cvent.com/AARPALFraudMobile0225. We hope to see you there!