Scams & Fraud

Across the United States, scam robo-calls make the way into voice mail boxes and emails of people all ages. People aged 50+ tend to fall for such scams far more than others. In 2019, it is estimated that 44.6% of cell phone calls will be robo or scam calls, which is nearly every other call. These scams tend to cover a range of different topics, from zero interest down on loans, deals on credit cards and warrants to trying to sell medical devices or insurance. While these scams can seem very real, there are a few key characteristics that can be used to easily identify scams.

Learn How to Avoid Their Scams at AARP’s Free, Two-Part Webinar

The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting colder and you could swear you paid that last gas and electric bill. But the caller from the power company is adamant that you’re overdue and says if you don’t pay up now, the power goes out. That’s the last thing you want in the chilly dead of winter (or the long, hot summer, as the case may be). Best not to risk it.

These days, travel starts on the internet. More than 140 million Americans do trip research online, and 83 percent of travelers use websites to make bookings, according to an industry analysis by advertising agency MDG. But as you search for savings on lodging and flights, keep a sharp eye out for deceptive offers and outright scams that could cost you a bundle.

As we enter the holiday season, once again it pays to be vigilant to avoid scams or slip-ups that could put a damper on your celebrations. Here are some ways to keep your holidays happy:

Lately, scammers have been spoofing phone numbers of banks, doctor's offices and other official agencies. Spoofing means that a scammer's phone number will show up on your caller ID as an official number. Scammers have been doing this with the 1-800 number for the Social Security Administration (SSA) to try and collect vital personal information from people in order to steal their identities.

AARP Iowa has a team of trained volunteers who are eager to protect older state residents from scams and fraud.

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Scammers have come up with tactics that specifically target Veterans. AARP wants to make sure you and the loved ones in your life have the resources to protect yourselves from the following scams.

Few things can be more annoying than answering the phone when you’re in the middle of something and then having the “person” on the line be another robot telemarketer telling you that someone has "stolen your credit card information." Unfortunately, these illegal telemarketing calls have our phones ringing more than ever and they’re costing victims of scammers millions of dollars each year.