Scams & Fraud

Tax season is here and it is the time of the year when many tax payers choose a preparer to help them file their returns.

By Aliya King

Every 2 seconds someone’s identity is stolen. But you

Statistics from the National Council on Aging show that 1 in 10 Americans 60 and older have experienced elder abuse, and there is broad consensus that the crime is significantly underreported.

In order to help hardworking Americans protect their money AARP created the Fraud Watch Network; a free community resource for people of all ages to learn how to protect themselves against fraud and scams. Every two seconds someone’s identity is stolen across the US. In the past six years scammers have stolen roughly $112 billion dollars from hardworking Americans, that’s about $35,600 a second! Identity theft is a crime that can wreak havoc on an individual’s or a family’s personal finances, their financial security, and peace of mind. That’s why AARP NJ wants to help consumers fight back! With tools like our online nationwide scam tracking map; The Fraud Watch Network provides communities with up to date information about scams in your area and what to look out for.

Frank Abagnale, a security consultant to the FBI for more than 40 years, will offer tips on how to avoid scams at an AARP Fraud Watch Network event at the Ellora in Edison on Tuesday, Dec. 6.