Avoid Scams in 2022

The start of a new year often means creating resolutions. Why not make your resolution to stay scam free this year? While scams can take various forms, there are often “red flags” that are common to many scams. Recognizing red flags will help you avoid new and old scams alike. The following are some common red flags that are indicative of many current scams out there today:

• You are asked to send payment in a non-traditional way, such as via pre-paid gift card, peer-to-peer payment app or crypto-currency
• You receive an unsolicited phone call or text message from a government agency, business or other entity that is unexpected and unprofessional often asking you to provide payment or other information 
• You are requested to provide or verify critical information such as a bank account number, Medicare number or your Social Security number
• The request is urgent in nature, often with a timeline to ensure there is not time to verify its legitimacy
• The offer seems “too good to be true” or not in line with market value for the product or service
• There is little or no contact information for the organization and third-party reviews are limited or don’t exist
  

Aside from recognizing red flags, one of the best ways to stay scam free this year is to “trust your gut.” If something doesn’t sound right, don’t go along with it. If you have a question about a fraud or scam contact an AARP ElderWatch volunteer specialist for information and assistance. Stay Scam Free in 2022!
For assistance please call 800-222-4444 (Denver Metro Area call 303-222-4444) or visit online.

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