Protect Yourself From Fraud and Scams

AARP Fraud Watch Network
If you or a loved one suspect a scam, call the AARP Fraud Watch Network helpline at 877-908-3360.

Visit aarp.org/fraudwatch for more information and resources on scams and fraud.

Fraud Fridays on Facebook
Join AARP's Fraud Friday conversations! On the first Friday of each month, we'll be sharing tips on how to protect yourself and your loved ones from fraud. Follow us on Facebook here.

Friday Facebook Live: Medicare Scams
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Friday Facebook Live: Stay Safe from Holiday Scams
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Facebook Live on Romance Scams
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Facebook Live on Gift Card Scams
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Facebook Live on "Do Me a Favor" Scams
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Facebook Live on Fraud after Disaster Scams
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Facebook Live on Tax Security Scams
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Facebook Live on Investment Scams
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Facebook Live on Summer Scams
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The COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect us all, and scammers continue to do all they can to take advantage of it.

How these scams work:

• Scammers lure in targets with an offer to “skip the line” for quick access to the COVID-19 vaccine – for a fee.
• They claim to be selling in-demand supplies, like face masks, test kits, and household cleaners.
• They hack into people’s social media accounts and send the user’s contacts a message saying they can get you a “COVID relief grant.”
• Scammers send text messages impersonating contact tracers warning you’ve been exposed to the virus and to click a link for more info.

What you can do:

• Ignore any offer to skip the vaccine line – it’s a lie.
• Engage your inner skeptic when you see ads offering in-demand, hard-to-obtain supplies.
• Be suspicious of messages or posts from people in your social media circle with a special offer – contact them via other means to warn them their account may have been hacked (and tell them to change their password right away).
• Real contact tracers will not send you a link to click, and they will not ask for money or sensitive personal information.
• Be warned that links in texts and emails can download software that steals your usernames,
• passwords and other sensitive info.

To share this information with your loved ones, download our one-pager here.

AARP New Jersey held a free webinar with nationally recognized fraud-fighting authority, Paul Greenwood, on Thursday, Oct. 1.

Greenwood, a recently retired deputy district attorney from San Diego, drew upon his 22 years of prosecuting elder financial exploitation crimes to provide tips on how we can all reduce the risk of becoming a victim of this growing crime. He gave examples of cases that he personally prosecuted and offered practical advice on how to try to stay safe from in-person and online predators looking to steal our hard-earned money.

Participants learned:

• The definition of elder abuse and financial exploitation
• Types of financial exploitation
• Likely victims and perpetrators
• What you can do to recognize and report it

Later that night, Greenwood discussed frequently asked questions from the webinar on Facebook Live. WATCH HERE.

Brett Johnson built and ran the first organized cybercrime community and has even been coined, the “Original Internet Godfather,” by the United States Secret Service. Now, Johnson speaks across the world as a fraud expert, educating consumers on how to protect themselves and their loved ones from scams.

Brett Johnson was responsible for refining modern financial cybercrime as we know it today. After being placed on the United States Most Wanted List, captured and convicted of 39 felonies, Brett promptly escaped prison. Captured again, Brett served his time, accepted responsibility, and found redemption through his loved ones and the help of the FBI. Today, he is considered a leading authority on internet crime, identity theft, and cybersecurity. Brett speaks and consults across the planet to help protect people and organizations from the type of person he used to be.

On August 6, AARP hosted an event with Johnson where he revealed how he became a con-man, why he changed his ways and how you can protect yourself from cybercriminals. You can watch AARP's Facebook Live with Johnson here.

AARP New Jersey hosted a toll-free Telephone Town Hall on ways to protect yourself and your loved ones from coronavirus scams and identity theft. Listen to the recording here to get the latest information about scams from AARP New Jersey and Karin Price Mueller, fraud expert, and columnist for the Star-Ledger.

March is the middle of tax season, which means scammers are turning to tax schemes to target consumers. And with March kicking off with National Consumer Protection Week (March 1 - March 7) – now is an especially good time to review tips on how to protect yourself from fraud.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provides these reminders:

1. Communication Channels: The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages, or social media channels. Generally, the IRS will first mail you a bill if you owe any taxes.

2. Payment: The IRS does not demand that you use a specific payment method, such as prepaid debit card, gift card, or wire transfer. The IRS will not ask for your debit or credit card numbers over the phone.

3. Threats: The IRS will not threaten to bring in local police, immigration officers, or law enforcement to have you arrested for not paying.

4. Social Security Number: Scammers may pretend to be from the Social Security Administration and mention overdue taxes. The Social Security Administration will never call and ask for your Social Security number, and they won’t ask you to pay anything. Hang up if you receive a call threatening to suspend your Social Security number for an unpaid tax bill.

To learn more about tax scams and how to report a scam, visit the IRS page here.

For even more information on tax fraud, listen here to a recording from our Telephone Townhall discussion with the IRS. You’ll hear from two IRS experts who discuss how to avoid becoming a victim of tax fraud.

And remember: you’re not done once your taxes are filed and your return is received. It’s important that you protect your personal data and shred unneeded bank statements and information. This Kiplinger article details what you should shred, and what you should hold onto.

For more information on fraud, visit aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork. Through the Fraud Watch Network, you can sign up to receive free biweekly Fraud Watch Alerts delivered right to your email inbox.