Arming Consumers Against the Latest Scams

At AARP, we constantly track the latest fraud scams to stay one step ahead of scammers. Every year, one in five adults over the age of 50 are victims of financial exploitation, with each losing an average of $120,000. Financial institutions lose more than a billion dollars a year in deposits due to the exploitation of Americans over 50.

• In 2023, consumers reported losing more than $10 billion to fraud, marking a 14% increase over the previous year.
• The most commonly reported scam category was imposter scams, with losses of nearly $2.7 billion.
• Investment scams led to the highest reported losses, totaling more than $4.6 billion in 2023.
• The median loss for scam victims in their 70s was over $800, while those in their 80s reported a median loss of $1,450.

Understanding gift card scams

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.

Also of interest:

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.


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