Scams & Fraud

AARP members and guests are invited to join us for free paper shredding events at select locations around New York state. Connect with AARP New York to combat fraud and safeguard yourself from identity theft by shredding sensitive personal documents after tax season.

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.

Fraud can also be a family affair. And victims are often reluctant to report the crimes committed by their loved ones.

Elder financial exploitation is a serious and growing concern nationwide.

Consumers can prevent scams by shredding sensitive documents

New York reported more than 51,000 incidents of identity theft in 2023, according to Federal Trade Commission data.

AARP Long Island is hosting two events to help residents safely dispose of unneeded medications and to shred sensitive documents.

Free shredding events and tips to securely destroy sensitive documents to help consumers protect themselves

Securely disposing of documents that contain your personal information—such as bank statements, canceled checks, receipts and credit-card junk mail—is one way to avoid becoming a fraud victim.

Deep within the internet is the Dark Web, a space where criminals can anonymously buy and sell illegal goods and private information. Known as the “Internet Godfather,” Brett Johnson created one of the dark web’s first online stores where criminals and scammers can anonymously sell illegal goods and private information. Eventually, he was caught and convicted. Now, after serving seven years in prison, Brett works to stop criminal enterprise and consults for the Secret Service and the cybersecurity industry.