Don’t Let Your Holiday Magic Turn Tragic; AARP Holds Tele Town Hall to Help Montanans Spot Scams and Avoid Fraud During Holiday Season

With the holidays right around the corner, the traditional season for giving has become a peak time for taking among con-artists targeting Montana consumers. While most of us focus on shopping, family and friends during the holidays, scammers are zeroing in on wallets and bank accounts. 

AARP Montana is hosting a live event designed to empower individuals to recognize the signs and red flags of holiday scams, ensuring they stay safe this season. 

In a live tele town hall, retired deputy district attorney Paul Greenwood will share lessons learned over 22 years leading an elder abuse prevention unit in California. Now serving as AARP Fraud Ambassador, Paul Greenwood will take questions live on the call. 

The call will be hosted by AARP Montana State Director, Tim Summers. Marcus Meyer, AARP Montana Director of Outreach will serve as the call's moderator. 

“We know from surveys that fraud is one of the top concerns of Montanans 50-plus,” said Tim Summers, AARP Montana State Director. “We also know that information is a consumer’s best defense against becoming a victim. AARP is here to serve as a resource on all sorts of scams and fraud. A big part of what we do is education and training on how to outsmart the con artists. I would urge anyone interested in protecting themselves to participate in this live event”

On Tuesday, November 18, shortly before 10:00 AM, AARP Montana will begin calling out to members across the state for this live event. Those interested in participating only need to stay on the line to join.

There are additional ways to participate in the live event:

• Dialing toll-free 855-962-1531 at the time of the call, which is 10 a.m. on Tuesday, November 18, 2025.
• Streaming live at facebook.com/AARPMontana

Those unable to join the live event on November 18, can listen to the recorded call on AARP Montana’s Facebook page.

“Scams have become a part of our everyday lives, unfortunately,” said Summers. “Between the phishing emails and texts from people pretending to be government officials or online retailers needing your personal information and robocalls warning of money owed, it can be exhausting. And these criminals don’t rest during the season of goodwill. In fact, they seem to work even harder to perpetrate fraud according to a recent AARP Fraud Watch Network report.”

 The AARP survey detailed in the report, “Holiday Fraud: Scammers Continue to Steal Holiday Cheer,” found that in the past year 82 percent of U.S. consumers have experienced or been targeted by at least one form of the fraud that is rampant during the holidays, including requests from (often fake) charities, online shopping scams and fraudulent communications about delivery problems.

 “Participants are encouraged to join the call and hear from our subject matter expert, Paul Greenwood. Folks can also pose their questions directly to Mr. Greenwood,” said Marcus Meyer, AARP Montana Director of Outreach. “This important call is available for anyone regardless of whether they're an AARP member or not. Because this virtual town hall is live and interactive, we encourage people to come prepared with questions that they might have.”

More Resources:

• Important Montana Consumer Protection Contact Information >>
  AARP collaborates with several Montana State Agencies to combat fraud and financial exploitation.
  
  • Click here for a downloadable resource sheet of important Montana consumer protection phone numbers and web sites.
• The AARP Fraud Watch Network
  The AARP Fraud Watch Network 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. Protecting consumers goes back to AARP’s founding. Learn more about our history.
  
• The AARP BankSafe Initiative