Fighting Fraud & Stopping Scams in the Bay State

Knowledge gives you power over scams. The AARP Fraud Watch Network equips you with reliable, up-to-date insights, and connects you to our free fraud helpline so you can better protect yourself and loved ones.

Coming in October:
Fraud Busters & Brewmasters in Boston
Wednesday, October 8 at 6:00 PM | Dorchester Brewing Company
You’re invited to AARP Massachusetts Fraud Busters & Brewmasters at Dorchester Brewing Company in Boston, MA. We'll have food, trivia, music, lots of free giveaways, and if you join us - we'll be in great company! This is a Fraud themed, private event and you can RSVP for your team of 4. Each attendee receives 2 free drinks on us. We understand that knowledge gives you power over scams so together we are going to test our fraud trivia, enjoy music, and learn some facts, while having fun! So come be a fraud buster and brewmaster for an evening. Sign you and your party up today!
Click Here to Attend


Fraud Talk Tuesdays

On the second Tuesday of every month, take just 30 minutes to tune in online to our Fraud Talk Tuesday to stay up to date on the latest scams plaguing the Bay State. All recordings of past information sessions are posted on our YouTube Page here.



Upcoming Fraud Talk Tuesdays
Fraud Talk Tuesday: Protect Your Home Equity From Misleading Lenders
Tuesday, October 14 at Noon

Home Equity "Investment" (HEI) loans are aggressively being targeted at older homeowners and endangering their hard-earned equity with promises of large up-front cash in exchange for no monthly payments. These complex, high-cost mortgage loans are often mislabeled as "option contracts" and not as loans to circumvent consumer protection laws, leaving homeowners vulnerable to significant financial loss. We'll discuss the threats posed by HEI loans, including hidden effective interest rates and unaffordable lump-sum balloon payments.

Click Here to Register


Grant Scams
Tuesday, November 11 at Noon
Scammers often pose as government agencies offering fake grants, asking for fees or personal info. An FBI expert will explain how these scams work, warning signs to watch for, and real-life examples. You’ll learn how to spot fraud, protect yourself and others, and report suspicious activity.
Click Here to Register

Deed Scams and Illegal Debt Collection
Tuesday, December 9  at Noon
Scammers ramp up during the holidays, targeting consumers with deed scams and illegal debt collection. Learn how to spot fake property transfers, understand your rights under debt collection laws, and protect yourself from harassment. You’ll also get holiday-themed fraud tips, a downloadable guide, and expert Q&A—all designed to help you stay safe while enjoying the season
Click Here to Register

In Person Workshops
Spotting Scams & Staying Safe
Friday, October 3 at 11:00 AM | Worcester
Tuesday, October 7 at 12:00 PM | Malden
Scams can happen to anyone — but you can learn to stop them in their tracks. Join us for a free, workshop where you'll hear about the latest scams and how they work, learn simple steps to protect yourself and your loved ones and explore AARP’s tools and resources to stay informed. Take charge of your safety!
Worcester | Friday, October 3 at 11:00 AM
Click Here to Attend
Malden | Tuesday ,October 7 at 12:00 PM
Click Here to Attend

Scam Alerts
Getting Help After a Scam
Dealing with fraud in the aftermath can be fraught – not knowing where or if you should report (you should – it’s a crime), feelings of shame (even though it’s not your fault – blame the perpetrator), and an often-overwhelming emotional toll – let alone the financial impact.

One resource is the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline. Every weekday from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. EST, trained AARP volunteer fraud fighters are helping victims and their families understand what happened, report the crime, and plan next steps to put their lives back together. That number is 1-877-908-3360.

AARP also offers an online small group victim support program to help address the emotional harm fraud victimization causes. These conversations are completely confidential and are a wonderful way to receive support from others. Sign up for a session today at aarp.org/fraudsupport.

Experiencing a scam can be devastating, but it doesn't have to define you. If you or someone you know has been the victim of fraud, make sure to file a report with local police; among other things, this may be useful in the event restitution becomes possible down the line.

Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network^TM is a free resource for all. With AARP as your partner, you’ll learn how to proactively spot scams, get guidance from our fraud specialists if you’ve been targeted, and feel more secure knowing that we advocate at the federal, state, and local levels to protect consumers and enforce the law. If you are in need of immediate assistance- call the toll-free AARP Fraud Watch Helpline: 877-908-3360. Click here to learn more about the AARP Fraud Watch Network^TM.

The AARP Fraud Watch Network Scam-Tracking Map shows scams reported in your area in real time. Report your scam to warn your neighbors and see what else has been reported near you. Click here to access the map.

Find Support If you've been targeted by scams or fraud, you are not alone. Our trained fraud specialists provide support and guidance on what to do next and how to avoid scams in the future. The AARP fraud helpline, 877-908-3360, is free and available to anyone. We also offer online support sessions for further emotional support.

Additional Resources:

• The Attorney General's Consumer Hotline: (617) 727-8400
• The Attorney General's Elder Hotline: 1-888-243-5337
• How/When to freeze your credit - https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2023/check-credit.html
• IdentityTheft.gov
• AnnualCreditReport.com or call 1-877-322-8228)
• Federal Trade Commission to report fraud- https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
• FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): www.IC3.gov/complaint

Get Regular Updates on The Latest Scams 
 Sign up for free, biweekly Watchdog Alerts to have information on the latest scams delivered right to your email and phone.

Trained AARP Massachusetts volunteers may be able to assist you by providing a dynamic speaker to help fight fraud for your next event. Speakers are all AARP volunteers. Presentations are a free community service offered by AARP, they range from 30 to 60 minutes in length, and can be either virtual or in person.
Please click this link to submit our presentation request form with a minimum of 6-8 weeks notice prior to your request date(s). Then a volunteer scheduler will be in touch with you about the next steps