Scams & Fraud

An AARP Arizona volunteer teaches older residents how to be alert to prevent ever-evolving scams.

Who doesn’t want to give their loved ones that perfect postcard moment? You know, the big box with a bow that has a furry new member of the family inside. Unfortunately, that desire to create a cherished memory of a pet leads many to a scam they won’t soon forget.

Tax season isn't just about filing returns; it's also prime time for IRS impostor scams. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers reported theft of $5.8 million via these scams in 2023 alone. Here is what you need to know about IRS impostors so you can stay one step ahead of these crooks.

As con artists ratchet up schemes to get your money, AARP Arizona is working with the state attorney general’s office to help you thwart them.

Summer is officially here which means door-to-door sales crews are too

It’s the Summer holiday season and many of us are out looking for vacation homes, but not everyone is in a buying mood. Across the country thousands of people are looking to get rid of a time share property, a process that can be difficult. Enter criminal scammers who set up slick looking, but fraudulent businesses that promise to help desperate families for a fee.

Fighting back against fraud and scams requires understanding how con artists think and operate.

One way to protect yourself from identity thieves is by opting into two-factor authentication. This means that to log in to a given site, you enter your password, and then are prompted to enter an authentication code. You either receive the code via text, phone, or email, or you use an app that generates the code. Once you enter that code, you are able to log in. This additional layer of security is meant to protect you in case a criminal has your login information. But like other protections, scammers have found a way around it.

Winter is upon us and with temperatures plummeting in many areas, keeping the heat on is critical — a fact that criminals try to take advantage of. They impersonate utility companies, threatening to cut off service if an immediate payment isn’t made. The goal of these crooks is to create a sense of urgency so the target acts quickly to pay the alleged past-due balance.

Avoiding scams when dealing with cryptocurrency.