AARP Fraud Report: Scams Surge for Fifth Consecutive Year

A report from the AARP Fraud Watch Network underscores the growing concern of fraud among American consumers, as criminals continue to take advantage of widespread security vulnerabilities. The study examines emerging fraud trends and outlines essential protective measures consumers can adopt in an increasingly digital landscape.

According to the report, more than 276 million adults were exposed to cyber threats by downloading unverified apps or taking online quizzes on social media from unreliable sources. Additionally, an estimated 203 million adults have not enabled multifactor authentication across all their online accounts, leaving them more susceptible to hacking and identity theft. Overall, the research stresses the importance of taking small actions to stay protected from major losses.

AARP Elder Fraud expert Paul Greenwood, a former deputy district attorney, came to Hawai`i May 12 through May 16 to educate consumers about steps they can take to fight fraud. He gave free “Fight Fraud Together” presentations on Hawai`i island, Oahu, Maui and Kaua`i.

"We all have a responsibility to share information with friends, family and neighbors about how we can better protect ourselves from becoming victims of all types of fraud; and we must make reporting of such crimes more accessible to everyone,” Greenwood said.

Additional findings from the AARP fraud report:

• Americans are becoming more fraud-aware: 90% of respondents recognize that anyone can fall victim to fraud, marking a continued shift away from the misconception that scams primarily target older adults.
•  False confidence on detecting AI-driven fraud is a concern: More than half of consumers are somewhat or very confident they could detect a fraud attempt involving AI; by its nature, AI is capable of making fraud attempts imperceptible.
• Password security remains weak: Three in five (64%) adults do not use distinctively unique passwords for all their online accounts, making them easier targets for cybercriminals.
• 35% of respondents use their social media account to log in to other platforms. 18–49-year-olds (48%) are much more likely to do this compared to older adults 50-plus (20%). This practice is risky because if one account is compromised others can easily be hacked as well.
• VPNs are critical to protecting your online data when using public Wi-Fi, however, 64% of adults, both younger and older, don’t use one when utilizing public internet.

AARP is committed to combatting fraud on many levels. In addition to education and supporting victims and their families, AARP is leading an effort to change the narrative on fraud victims. For too long, victims have been blamed for these crimes, rather than the criminals who commit them. This has served to deprioritize fraud as a crime, which has played a role in fraud’s exponential growth. Shifting the focus to the criminals behind these crimes can lead to more reporting to law enforcement and more victims seeking the support they need. Learn more here.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network is a free resource that equips consumers with up-to-date knowledge to spot and avoid scams and connects those targeted by scams with our fraud helpline specialists who provide support and guidance on what to do next. Anyone can call the helpline at 877-908-3360. The Fraud Watch Network also offers free, facilitated peer discussion groups that seek to provide emotional support for those experiencing fraud; and advocates at the federal, state, and local levels to enact policy changes that protect consumers and enforce laws.