Scams & Fraud

Medicare Annual Enrollment runs through December 7, and it’s a banner time for Medicare fraud. Beware of ads that promise medical equipment covered 100% by Medicare. Like the one that might appear in the newspaper offering a free back brace, or the TV infomercial claiming you can get anything to ease your pain with no money out of pocket. Medicare only covers durable medical equipment that is medically necessary with a doctor’s prescription. Scammers hope you don’t know this. They want your Medicare number to fraudulently bill Medicare. Plus, your Medicare number is also your Social Security number so be especially cautious about giving it out.

Millions of Americans lose billions of dollars to scams and fraud each day. Every day criminals become more sophisticated in how they separate you from your hard earned savings, using fear, greed, and urgency to push the “right” buttons in people to get them to open their wallets. Unfortunately, Kansas is among those whose citizens’ lives have been turned upside down because of fraud. AARP Kansas is providing information about how to safeguard against identity theft and other forms of fraud and scams through the AARP Fraud Watch Network. The Fraud Watch Network has a number of tools and activities to help protect you and your family from con artists. The information is free to everyone, members, non-members and people of all ages.

Outsmarting investment fraud and learning how to be a part of the AARP Fraud Watch Network and all it has to offer are just two of the topics that will be discussed at the 18th Annual Western Summit in Hays on Thursday, October 6, 2016. Other topics include activities for seniors at the Hays Recreation Center, athletics at Fort Hays State University (FHSU), fraudulent practices in acquiring antiques, a presentation on relationships with China by Dr. Ed Hammond, education professor at FHSU, and information about Hays airport services.

Kansans can learn how to protect themselves from digital scams by attending a cybersecurity seminar on Wednesday, Oct. 12, in Wichita.

Join AARP and the Better Business Bureau, Inc. for a cyber security workshop and learn how to protect yourself online both at home and at work. The event will be on October 12, 2106 at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex, 50515 East 29th Street N., Wichita, 67220.

AARP Kansas staff, and volunteers from across the state, were joined by members of the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors for a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new state office location on Friday, May 20th. The new office is located at 6220 SW 29 th Street, Suite 300 in Topeka. It's near the corner of 29th and Wanamaker and shares the building with the Community Blood Bank.

Mother’s day is almost here! If you are thinking about scheduling last minute flower deliveries beware! With thousands of online flowers being ordered, crooks have hit a new low of setting up fake online flower shops, and then promoting then all over the internet. They attract buyers by claiming to have cheap prices, but in reality are just taking your credit card info and, you guessed it, not delivering flowers. Make sure to research the seller. Do your homework and don’t get lured by cheap prices. Make sure every mom has the chance to be celebrated this mother’s day!

Volunteers are a critical resource for AARP and the work we do to make a positive impact on the lives of others right here in Kansas. The AARP Kansas office is looking for volunteers who are interested in working on a variety of issues that are important to Kansans and their families.

AARP Kansas is pleased to once again to be part of the Financial Freedom Expo, set for Saturday, April 16, in Wichita. The Expo will provide participants with a wide variety of information and resources to promote financial literacy. This free event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Urban Preparatory Academy located at 2821 E. 24th Street.

Every 2 seconds, someone’s identity gets stolen. That’s why AARP launched the Fraud Watch Network – to arm people of all ages with the tools they need to spot and avoid scams.