Teaching Older Residents How to Avoid Evolving Scams

During his long career in international banking, Jerry Watterworth learned how to anticipate what was coming next in some of the globe’s most sophisticated financial markets.

Now retired, the AARP volunteer gives anti-fraud presentations aimed at teaching people that same, basic lesson: expect the unexpected.

“Just like in banking, the technology changes — and then the methodology changes in the way people are committing these frauds,” says Watterworth, 68, of Scottsdale. People can’t afford to get comfortable thinking all the scams have been identified, he adds, “because there will be a next thing that comes along.”

Watterworth is part of AARP Arizona’s efforts to help prevent fraud targeting older people in the state — everything from identity theft, to fake investments, to tech-support schemes, to romance and grandparent scams.

It’s a big target: The FBI says that fraud and scam losses nationwide reported by those 60 and over topped $3.4 billion in 2023 — including $128 million in Arizona. And federal officials note that due to underreporting, the true numbers are far higher.

“We’ve got to help people understand that this is a crisis, and we have to be acting as a whole society to respond to it,” says Kathy Stokes, director of fraud prevention programs for AARP.

Law enforcement is also warning about fraud — something that Attorney General Kris Mayes (D) called a “significant and growing concern” in the state.

“Arizona’s seniors are unfortunately a prime target for fraudsters,” she said in a statement to the Bulletin. The state is popular with retirees, and it has a large and aging older population.

In the last year, she’s warned Arizonans about two of the most damaging frauds targeting older people: romance scams and high-tech Bitcoin ones.

A Bitcoin scam might start when criminals — sometimes already in possession of personal information such as Social Security numbers and addresses — contact someone and say their financial accounts have been compromised. They urge quick action, guiding their target through the process of transferring money through the hard-to-trace Bitcoin system in an effort to “protect” those funds.

Bitcoin is a digital currency not issued by any government. It is relatively new, so many people are unfamiliar with it. The FBI says that nationwide in 2023, it received more than 15,000 complaints — representing $1.1 billion in losses — from people over 60 due to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency scams.

Mayes is also warning people to be aware of romance scams. Arizonans responding to fake online profiles on dating and social media sites get caught up in the desire for love and companionship. Only after they are asked to send money for some seemingly legitimate purpose do they realize their love interest isn’t real.

When human nature backfires

Through town hall events and other educational efforts, Mayes is hoping to help older Arizonans recognize red flags — unsolicited calls, high-pressure tactics, requests for personal or financial information — and stop scams before they start. “Prevention is the key,” she said.

That’s what Watterworth preaches as well. What makes it tough is that people want to connect — want to believe. “It’s just human nature,” he says. “We are not naturally suspicious — and we want to trust people.”

Consider romance scams: There are so many ways to connect these days that people need to always have their antennas up.

“You can’t trust email, because people can pose as anybody over email,” he says. “You can’t trust Facebook because that could be anybody. Text, the same thing. Your phone, the same thing. You never know who’s on the other end of that line.”

For a range of fraud-prevention videos by AARP Arizona — including ones by Watterworth — go to youtube.com/@AARPArizona, click on the search tool and look for “scams.”

To find information on upcoming fraud presentations, go to aarp.org/az and click on Events.

Also of interest:

• How to Avoid Disaster Relief Scams Following Fires, Hurricanes, and More
• 25 Great Ways to Avoid Scams
• 10 Red Flags Your Tax Preparer is a Fraud