Scams & Fraud

When your personal information has been put in jeopardy, one of the first steps you want to take is freezing your credit report. In the past, this process has been costly and tedious but soon it will be much smoother.

On an almost daily basis, there is a headline in the news about yet another data breach. While these events have become almost routine, it is still important to be sure to protect your identity from scammers. You can ensure your information stays safe by following these three steps that can make all the difference when a data breach happens.

In an Era of Continuous Data Breaches, AARP/Iowa Seeks to Empower Public with Simple Tips to Protect Sensitive Personal Information

The Iowa State Fair in Des Moines is the largest event in the state and one of the oldest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country. The 2018 fair runs Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 9-19, and about a million people are expected to attend.

AARP Iowa and Attorney General Tom Miller hosted a statewide teletown hall, “Don’t Be Fooled by Imposter Scams,” on Monday, May 14. This program highlighted the growing problem of impostor scams, ways you can identify and avoid being scammed by them, addressed caller questions and concerns, and providing helpful resources, tips and websites.

With scammers busy thinking up new ways to steal your money, how can you protect yourself, your family and your neighbors? Join us for a discussion about how to safeguard against identity theft and fraud. Learn how scammers think, so you can build up your defenses against the kinds of tricks con artists use, and about keeping more of your hard-earned money where it belongs - in your pocket.

Join our series of online Q&A sessions to learn how to avoid them.

AARP Iowa invites community groups across the state to schedule a free presentation to help their members guard against fraud. AARP Iowa has a team of trained volunteers ready to give Fraud Watch Network presentations to church groups, civic clubs, veterans organizations, senior centers and libraries across the state.

AARP Iowa announced on Nov. 10 that it is joining forces with the AARP Fraud Watch Network and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for Operation Protect Veterans -- a campaign to warn those who have served in the military about scams and fraud schemes that target veterans. The major educational campaign will reach out to veterans in communities across Iowa and nationwide.

For over four decades, Frank W. Abagnale has advised the FBI on how to outsmart con artists. On October 3, Abagnale joined forces with AARP Iowa and the AARP Fraud Watch Network for a telephone town hall in Des Moines to help Iowans learn how to spot and avoid scams in order to protect themselves and their family members.