AARP Hawai`i Webinars Help Fight Fraud

Hawai`i consumers lost $61.6 million to scams last year with the top reported scams involving imposters, identity theft, and credit bureau and information furnisher scams, according to the latest Federal Trade Commission Consumer Sentinel Network report.

The 2024 fraud losses are up 32 percent in Hawai`i compared to the $46.6 million lost the year prior. Nationally, the FTC reported consumers lost $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25 percent increase. Consumers reported losing the most money when paying with bank transfers and cryptocurrency.

To help people fight fraud and protect themselves and family members from scams, AARP Hawai`i will be holding a series of webinars in April. The webinars feature an FBI agent answering questions about fraud targeting kupuna; an in-depth look at how scammers take advantage of consumers; tips about digital scams including scams involving artificial intelligence and how to recognize and report Medicare fraud.

Top subcategories of fraud reported in Hawai`i were business imposter scams, online shopping and government imposter scams. Hawai`i ranked second worst in the country in per capita reports of investment-related scams. Those scams mostly involved contact via social media and payment with cryptocurrency.

“Kupuna work hard all their lives to save money. AARP wants to do its part to help kupuna keep their money. That’s why we hold webinars and in-person events to fight fraud,” said Keali`i Lopez, AARP Hawai`i state director. “The frauds reported to the FTC are only a fraction of what is actually lost. Too many people don’t report fraud because of embarrassment. But scammers are clever and experienced in taking people’s money. They are criminals. Consumers who lose money to fraud should blame the scammers not themselves.”

To sign up for the fraud-fighting webinars go to events.aarp.org/hifraud25, aarp.org/local or the AARP Hawai`i Facebook page and click on the events tab. Consumers can also call 877-926-8300.