Empowering Consumers Against the Latest Scams

At AARP, we constantly track the latest fraud scams to stay one step ahead of scammers. According to the FBI’s most recent Elder Fraud Report, elder fraud complaints to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center increased by 46%, and associated losses increased by 43% in 2024. New York had the fourth highest number of complaints filed by people over the age of 60, and is the fourth highest in monetary losses in this age group, according to the FBI data.

• In 2024, consumers of all ages reported losing more than $16.6 billion to fraud, marking a 33% increase over the previous year.
• The most commonly reported scam category was phishing/spoofing scams, with losses of nearly $70 million.
• Investment scams led to the highest reported losses once more, totaling more than $6.6 billion in 2024.
• The median loss for scam victims over the age of 60 was more than $83,000.
• New Yorkers age 60 and over reported a loss of $257,704,709, compared to $203,437,635 in 2023.

Learn more about financial exploitation:

• AARP Report Finds Nearly Half of U.S. Adults Targeted for Financial Exploitation
• Stop Elder Financial Exploitation AARP
• 30 Groups Urge Legislative Leaders to Back Governor’s Effort to Block Financial Exploitation of older NYers

Scam Awareness: Weekly Tips to Stay Safe

December is a season of celebration, generosity, and connection—but it’s also a prime time for scammers. Each week this month, AARP New York will share tips to help you protect yourself and your loved ones from fraud. Bookmark this page and check back weekly for new insights.

Why It Matters:
The holiday season is prime time for scammers. From fake shopping sites to phishing texts, criminals exploit the rush and generosity of the season.

How to Stay Safe:

• Online Shopping Scams: Avoid clicking links in emails, texts, or ads. Shop directly on trusted retailer websites or apps and pay with a credit card for added protection. 
  
• Delivery Scams: Ignore suspicious texts or emails claiming missed packages. Go to the carrier’s official site to check delivery status. 
  
• Gift Card Scams: Buy gift cards kept behind the counter or from official retailer websites—not from store racks. 

Learn more safety tips here.

Why It Matters:
“Porch Pirates” steal millions of packages every year, totaling billions in losses. Here’s how to protect your deliveries:

Steps To Take:

• Opt into delivery alerts so you know when packages arrive. 
• Request a signature or use secure pickup options like ship-to-store. 
• Hold mail if you’re away—USPS, FedEx, and UPS offer vacation holds.
• Work with neighbors to watch out for each other’s deliveries. 

Community resources like Nextdoor.com and local law enforcement updates can also help you stay informed.

Learn more here.

Why It Matters:
Holiday travel means more flight changes—and scammers are ready to exploit that. Fake airline customer service numbers often appear at the top of search results.

Stay Safe:

• Download your airline’s official app for verified contact info and real-time updates. 
• Don’t pay to rebook canceled flights—legitimate airlines rarely charge for this.
• Watch for pressure tactics like “buy now or price goes up.”

Learn more here.

Why It Matters:

The season of giving is prime time for charity scams. Criminals mimic trusted organizations and pressure you to donate fast.

Protect Your Generosity:

• Avoid payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. 
• Verify charities on give.org, CharityNavigator.org, or CharityWatch.org. 
• Check names and web addresses carefully—criminals often use lookalike names. 
• Use a credit card for safer transactions. 

Consider making a list of charities you support so you can give confidently and on your own terms.

Learn more here.


Stay informed and stay safe. Call 877-908-3360 for more tips and tools from AARP Fraud Watch Network™.

One of the most common scams involves gift cards. There are generally two types of gift card scams:

1. Payment by gift card: Scammers may pose as a relative—usually a child or grandchild—claiming they are in an emergency. Alternatively, someone may contact you as a debt collector or tech support requesting a payment. Be wary if they tell you to purchase gift cards to send them money or make any type of payment.

2. Stealing the value of gift cards: This involves stealing the value of gift cards you purchase. Make sure to buy gift cards directly from the business that issued them and double-check the value on the card. If you are buying several gift cards, watch that each one is scanned at the register.

Since fraudsters often ask to be paid via cash, gift cards, or money transfers, older adults may go to the bank to withdraw cash to help their relatives. Legitimate businesses do not seek payment by gift cards.

Tips to avoid gift card scams

• Recognize common signs of a gift card scam:
  Scammers often ask for payment via gift cards. They may pose as a relative in an emergency or as a debt collector. Be cautious if someone pressures you to buy gift cards to resolve an issue.
• Purchase gift cards safely:
  Buy gift cards directly from the business that issued them. Double-check the value on the card before purchasing. Ensure each card is scanned at the register if buying multiple cards.
• Protect Your Gift Cards:
  Keep your gift cards in a safe place. Treat them like cash and avoid sharing the card numbers with anyone. Use the cards promptly to reduce the risk of theft.
• Staying informed about the latest scams:
  Keep up with the latest scam alerts from reliable sources like the FTC and AARP Fraud Watch Network. Sign up for fraud alerts and updates to stay aware of new scam tactics.

Here are five common scams to watch for in 2025

• Employment scams - Fraudulent job offers that steal personal information or money.
• Cryptocurrency scams - Scams involving fake investment opportunities in cryptocurrencies.
• Celebrity impostor scams - Scammers posing as celebrities to solicit money or personal information.
• Tech support scams - Fake tech support messages that trick people into giving remote access to their computers.
• Card-declined scams - Fraudulent websites that falsely claim credit card transactions have been declined to steal money.
  

Resources

AARP’s BankSafe program can help financial institutions—and retailers offering gift cards—play a crucial role in preventing gift card scams and other types of fraud. BankSafe helps tellers and other bank employees recognize when a scam might be happening. The training is available at no cost to banks, credit unions, financial advisors, and retailers offering gift cards and wire transfers. More information at aarp.org/banksafe.

AARP's weekly podcast, The Perfect ScamSM, shares the experiences of individuals who have been targeted by scams. The series also shares tips on how you can better protect yourself and those you love from fraud.

Click here to listen to the latest episode.


Also of interest:

• Helping Victims of Financial Abuse
• Protect Loved Ones With Cognitive Decline From Scams
• How to Manage Relationships With Chronic Scam Victims
• Elder Financial Exploitation: Caregivers Are Victims, Too

Stay Connected with AARP New York on
Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | TikTok

Discover more events and opportunities to engage with AARP New York and your community by visiting aarp.org/local.