Scams & Fraud

Join our series of online Q&A sessions to learn how to avoid them.

As tax time approaches, AARP’s Fraud Watch Network is redoubling its efforts to help taxpayers avoid criminal imposters who aim to defraud them.

Mark your calendar – SATURDAY, JUNE 2. That is the date of the FREE annual document shredding event sponsored by AARP Foundation ElderWatch and the Black Forest Chapter 1100 of AARP. The shredding will be at the Black Forest Lutheran Church 12455 Black Forest Road. Please enter from Black Forest Road. The time is 9 am to 1 pm. Three boxes or paper bags of paper documents will be accepted per car. Please no plastic or 3-ring binders, as they cannot be recycled. You can FIGHT HUNGER at the same time with a nonperishable food or cash donation to the Black Forest Cares food pantry. Questions? Call Ray at 719.495.6767 or Stan at 719.596.6787.

This April, Medicare will begin to issue new Medicare cards to all beneficiaries. To help protect your identity, these new cards will no longer contain your Social Security number. Instead, Medicare will assign you a unique number that will be used for doctor visits and medical claims. As new cards start to get sent out, scammers might try to take advantage of this transition. The following is some information to help you from getting caught up in a Medicare card scam:

Online dating has become one of the most popular ways for people of all ages to meet friends, significant others and spouses. While most people have good intentions when using online dating websites, scammers also use the same sites to obtain money, gifts or personal information.

Nearly four in ten (39 percent) Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) age 50 and older report that they or their family members have experienced fraud schemes, according to the recent fraud survey from AARP. Additionally, one-third (33 percent) of victims lost $15,000 on average. Non-financial costs are even more widespread, with most fraud victims (72 percent) experiencing some sort of emotional, physical or mental health impact, including anger, stress and anxiety, difficulty sleeping and shame.

Friday, February 23, 2018 from 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. at the Fort Collins Senior Center, 1200 Raintree Drive

Are you looking to escape the cold and hit the beach this winter? On a snowy day, soaking up some sun in a tropical location sounds pretty nice!

‘Tis the season for excessive shopping and since many people will purchase their holiday gifts online, this is a good time to brush up on some internet safety tips. Here are a few reminders for protecting your personal and financial information while shopping online:

In recent years, we have dealt with major data breaches at hospitals, retail stores and government offices. In September, we learned Equifax’s data was breached, potentially affecting millions of people. While these breaches are alarming, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you are a victim of identity theft. It does mean that you should take precautionary measures to protect your identity. The following are some steps to consider taking: