Scams & Fraud

WILMINGTON -- Every two seconds someone’s identity is stolen. Shredding confidential documents you no longer need is one good way to protect yourself, and the AARP Fraud Watch Network wants to help.

RALEIGH — The AARP Fraud Watch Network is launching an education effort to help people protect themselves from tax scams, releasing a new digital advertising campaign, featuring a and a tip sheet. The Association is also encouraging people to take advantage of AARP’s free tax preparation services.

With the kids returning to school, you’ve earned a sigh of relief. But don’t breathe too easy just yet.

Have you thought about how you can protect yourself from identity theft and fraud? Every two second someone’s identity is stolen. Last year, there were 13.1 million victims of identity theft in the United States. Identity theft, investment fraud and other scams cost Americans $18 billion last year alone. How can you outsmart con artists before the con you?

Have you received an unsolicited call for tech support lately? Beware, it probably is a fraud. Companies like Microsoft or Apple will never call you. Today’s con artists are getting sneakier. So how do you identify or recognize fraud? Where do you report it? This week on Real Life, learn more about the newest types of fraud targeting Americans of all ages. You will also learn how you can protect yourself with AARP’s Fraud Watch Network. With the free Fraud Watch Network, members and non-members alike can get the con-artists’ playbook, receive fraud alerts, learn about local events and more. Real Life will look at AARP’s efforts to fight fraud in North Carolina and across the nation with this week’s guest Rosa Maymi, AARP project advisor. Listen to Real Life on the audio link or on your local Real Life station.

WASHINGTON, D.C . – With romance scammers using the Internet to rob Americans of an estimated $81 million per year, AARP’s Fraud Watch Network today called on the online dating industry to institute new safeguards to better protect their users. AARP North Carolina is inviting its members and the general public to become involved in the national campaign by signing an online petition.