Scams & Fraud

Spooky season is officially upon us! While we usually associate October with things like Jack-o-Lanterns on doorsteps and pumpkin spice goodies, you may want to pay attention to a truly scary topic – scams. With the restart of student loan payments this month, scammers are interested in more tricks than treats to fool you out of your hard-earned money.

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

On May 24, AARP celebrated the signing of SB 770, Residential Loan Alternative Agreements, into law. This will protect homeowners from the predatory practice of filing unfair real estate fee agreements in property records, known as Non-Title Record Agreements for Personal Service (NTRAPS). The purchase of a home is often the most important investment a person will make, and this new law will provide additional safeguards to ensure this investment is protected against predatory business practices like NTRAPS.

Florida is no stranger to hurricane and scam artists. Natural disasters often bring an influx of con artists ready to take advantage of suffering and confusion.

Although hackers have many of methods at their disposal to invade our privacy and steal our personal information, there are various actions that we can take to protect ourselves when we access and use the internet.

Please share this information with any friends and family in the Sunshine State!

Florida property owners, listen up: The rules have changed on how you can get your home repaired after a hurricane or other natural disaster by letting a contractor deal directly with your insurance company.

Florida lawmakers adopted a slew of healthcare bills that will help Florida consumers save on prescription drugs and gain easier access to their doctors. For ratepayers who get their electrical power from investor-owned utilities (FPL, Duke, TECO, Gulf Power, FPUC), lawmakers ignored calls from consumer groups, AARP Florida included, and pushed through legislation that will increase consumers’ monthly bills. We breakdown the top issues AARP Florida tracked.

AARP Florida's primary concerns are that bill allows the increasing rates from what is already allowed and lacks sufficient underwriting protections. Additionally, there is no restriction against add-ons fees, which inevitably will be attached and significantly increase the cost to consumers.

Homeowners beware! Unscrupulous contractors are conning residents into surrendering their home insurance policy claim rights and benefits. In the wake of Hurricane Michael, these instances are sure to grow.