AARP Florida Fraud Resource Center

Protecting consumers is one of AARP’s founding principles.  At AARP Florida, we’re providing Florida-specific fraud resources, education, and updates to help keep Floridians safe. 

If you or a loved one has been targeted by a scam or fraud, you are not alone. Call the AARP Fraud Helpline at 877-908-3360, where AARP’s fraud specialists provide free support and guidance on what to do next. Our toll-free service is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. 

Get regular updates on the latest scams by signing up for biweekly Watchdog Alerts or text FWN to 50757 to receive text alerts. 

The AARP Scam-Tracking Map shows scams reported in your area in real time. 

Scams At a Glance, is a resource provided by the Florida Office of the Attorney General to make Floridians aware of common scams in Florida by providing downloadable educational materials on fraudulent schemes. 

Florida’s Attorney General also offers frequent Consumer Alerts to keep the public informed about emerging scams and trends in consumer complaints. 

The AARP Florida Speakers Bureau is a group of statewide AARP volunteers who can match your organization with a dynamic, enthusiastic speaker with background and insights into fraud awareness (at no cost to you) for your local club, church, or other community engagement. To learn more about the AARP Florida Speakers Bureau, send an email to flaarp@aarp.org. 

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is committed to providing consumer education through educational brochures (available in English and Spanish), as well as by offering free consumer protection speaker presentations at events and meetings in the state. The department’s Communications and Outreach Center can be reached at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832). 

Visit the AARP Fraud Resource Center to learn the Do’s and Don’ts of how to spot more than 70 common types of scams. Our tip sheets will help you protect yourself and your loved ones. 

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) offers resources for consumers, caregivers and services providers, as well as for financial institutions about protecting older adults from fraud and financial exploitation. 

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative is committed to strengthening awareness about elder abuse through education. The department also offers a virtual list of Common Scams and Warning Signs for older adults. 

Hear stories of real scams on our award-winning podcast, The Perfect Scam. Explore fraud from the viewpoint of victims, law enforcement and the con artists themselves. 

Become a fraud fighter volunteer and protect people 50-plus by helping them identify and avoid scams that could harm them financially. 

If you’re 50+ and have been personally impacted by a Florida scam, we want to hear from you. Contact flaarp@aarp.org to tell us your story. 

Download the AARP post-disaster checklist to protect yourself from scams and price gouging. English | Spanish 

Student Loan Scams: Article / Handout (Last Updated: Oct. 2023)

Online Shopping Scams: Article / Handout (Last Updated: Nov. 2023)

Employment Fraud: Article / Handout (Last Updated: Jan. 2024)

Romance/Relationship Scams: Article / Handout (Last Updated: Feb. 2024)

Malvertising: Article / Handout (Last Updated: March 2024)

Moving Scams: Article / Handout (Last Updated: April 2024)

If you or someone you know has been a victim of fraud, please first contact your local law enforcement agency.  For a complete listing of all municipal and county law enforcement agencies in Florida, as well as contact information, please click here.  

Abuse Hotline – Florida law requires that any person who knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a vulnerable adult has been or is being abused, neglected, or exploited, must report such information to the Florida Abuse Hotline.  If you believe an adult is in immediate danger, call 911. 

• Report Vulnerable Adult Abuse Online  
• To report by phone – call Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873).  
  
  
  • Press 2 to report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable adult. This toll-free number is available 24/7. TTY (Telephone Device for the Deaf): 1-800-955-8771. To report via fax, please print and complete the DCF fax reporting form with details and fax to 1-800-914- 0004. 

The Florida Attorney General's Office of Citizen Services operates a toll-free Fraud Hotline at 1-866-NO-SCAM (966-7226). The Hotline serves as the initial point-of-contact for senior protection reporting, consumer complaints, Medicaid-provider fraud reporting, Lemon law complaints, and general inquiries. To print and mail a complaint form, or to submit your complaint online, please see the online complaint submission tools. 

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is the state's clearinghouse for consumer complaints. The agency regulates a variety of businesses, including motor vehicle repair shops, charitable organizations, pawnbrokers, and more. Consumer complaints may be submitted online or by calling the department's consumer protection and information hotline at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352). 

The Florida Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) oversees the financial services industry and is authorized to investigate cases impacting financial consumers and/or the financial services industry.The office accepts consumer complaints and tips from concerned citizens about potential fraud or misconduct involving a financial service under OFR’s jurisdiction (see below for some examples of relevant financial services).

• Mortgages and Lending
• Title Loans
• Consumer Financing
• Money Services (e.g., Check Cashing, Money Transmitters, etc.)
• Retail Installment Sales
• Financial Technology
• Debt Collection

Please note that the above reflects a partial list, please visit OFR’s website to learn more about services OFR regulates and offers for Floridians.

To submit a compliant or tip, please fill out OFR’s online complaint form.

To report Insurance Fraud, please contact the Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Investigative and Forensic Services.  Reports may be submitted through the online complaint tool, by emailing Consumer.Services@myfloridacfo.com, or by contacting a specialist on the hotline at: 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236). 

If you or someone you know has been a victim of fraud, please first contact your local law enforcement agency.  For a complete listing of all municipal and county law enforcement agencies in Florida, as well as contact information, please click here. 

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is a federal government website where you can report fraud, scams, and bad business practices. When you report a scam, a company, or an unwanted call that you received, you will find out what additional steps you can take to protect yourself, and the FTC will use and share your reported information with law enforcement partners to aid in their investigations. 

The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is a national online reporting tool provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for reporting Internet Crimes, which are crimes involving illegal activity perpetrated through use of the Internet (for example: websites, chat rooms, email). While the FBI is unable to respond directly to every report made through the IC3, the FBI reviews all reports and uses the collective reported information to take down cyber criminals.  

The U.S. Department of Justice’s National Elder Fraud Hotline (833–FRAUD–11 or 833–372–8311) or Línea Nacional Fraude a Personas de Edad Avanzada is managed by the Office for Victims of Crime to help adults aged 60 and older who may be victims of financial fraud. While the hotline does not serve in an investigatory capacity, the hotline’s case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, and provide information to callers to assist them in reporting and connecting with the appropriate investigatory agency. 

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) handles complaints about financial products and services, including issues related to debt collection, credit card companies, credit reporting, and banking. The CFPB works directly with the reported business to resolve consumer issues and, if another agency would be better suited to assist you, will send it to that agency on your behalf. 

The AARP Fraud Helpline, 877-908-3360, is free and available to anyone. We also offer online support sessions for further emotional support. 

The AARP Veterans Fraud Center, is a specific resource for Veterans and their families to stay abreast and receive support against fraud. A printable handbook is also available for download listing common scams.

The Attorney General’s Division of Victim Services and Criminal Justice Programs serves as a strong national leader in grant administration, compensation, advocacy services for victims and victims’ rights, appellate notification services, and offers referrals and information. 

Elder Helpline – 1-800-963-5337 – The Dept of Elder Affairs provides a statewide helpline for information regarding elder services, such as health and wellness, long-term care, community-based care and caregiver support available in each Florida County. 

Elder Abuse Prevention Program - The Department of Elder Affairs works in conjunction with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Adult Protective Services and the Aging Network to protect disabled adults or elderly persons from further occurrences of abuse, neglect or exploitation. 

Seniors vs Crime is a special project of the Florida Attorney General. The Seniors vs Crime Project Senior Sleuths assist people involved in civil disputes with contractors and other businesses or individuals who may have defrauded or otherwise taken advantage of them financially. There is no charge for the services.  Contact Information: 1-800-203-3099 

The U.S. Department of Justice’s National Elder Fraud Hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, provides services to all adults ages 60 and older, who may be victims of financial fraud. While the hotline does not serve in an investigatory capacity, case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, and provide information to callers to assist them in reporting or connect callers directly with the appropriate agency. Call 833–FRAUD–11 or 833–372–8311. 

988 Lifeline: If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally, the 988 lifeline is available 24/7 to provide free, confidential support and resources. Call or text 9-8-8 or visit their website.
 

Watch out for these three scams. Natural disasters often bring an influx of con artists ready to take advantage of suffering and confusion.  

Download the AARP post-disaster checklist to protect yourself from scams and price gouging. English | Spanish 

FEMA keeps a running list of disaster-related rumors and scams and ways to report scammers. If you suspect you’re being scammed, call FEMA’s fraud hotline at 1-866-223-0814. 

Report price gouging on the Florida Attorney General’s website, or call 1-866-966-7266. It’s illegal to charge grossly inflated prices for essentials like food, gas and supplies during declared emergencies.