AARP Pennsylvania

A new 2023 AARP Fraud Watch NetworkTM report is highlighting the ways criminals target consumers during the holiday season. A majority (80%) of U.S. consumers say they have experienced some type of fraud this year – many of which ramp up over the holiday shopping season. These holiday shopping scams have increased from last year’s report, from receiving fake notifications about shipments, to online ad scams, and more. 

For the first time since AARP began publishing the Scorecard in 2011, more than half of Medicaid long-term care dollars nationwide for older adults and people with physical disabilities went to home- and community-based services instead of nursing homes and other institutions.

One of the most nefarious scams today is bank impersonation. Money stolen through these schemes is rarely recoverable, so it’s particularly important to be aware of this scam and share what you know with others.

Jim Palmquist has been selected by AARP, the nonprofit organization for people 50 and older, to receive the 2023 AARP Pennsylvania Andrus Award for Community Service, the Association’s most prestigious and visible state volunteer award for community service.

The holiday deals have already begun, but buyer beware – not all of those great deals you see online are legit. Because if the online shopping season has started it means that online scam season has officially begun too.

It’s the holiday season – a time for togetherness and celebration. For many of us, it’s a season of giving. Unfortunately, the gift-giving process also brings opportunities for scammers to enrich themselves. Our goal isn’t to take the joy out the holiday season or take the fun out of gift-giving, rather, it’s to help you be aware so you can protect yourself and your loved ones.

In August of 2022 the Veterans Administration (VA) began the largest expansion of benefits in its history with the enactment of the PACT Act. The Act, which compensates military personnel and veterans for exposure to toxic chemicals has led to 4.5 million toxic screenings and the expansion of benefits to more than 400,000 individuals. It has also created an opportunity for criminal scammers.

Social media has become a dangerous marketplace. Scammers are great at creating slick ads and professional looking websites and for minimal cost they can force them into your feed.

Scammers are like viruses: they continually evolve in response to the latest news and trends. Here are two scam variations that experts have seen trending so far in 2023.

AARP Pennsylvania strongly urges Medicare beneficiaries to exercise extra caution during this year's Medicare Open Enrollment period, which runs from October 15 to December 7. A recent data breach involving a government contractor put an alarming number of Medicare beneficiaries at risk, heightening the importance of vigilance during a time already susceptible to fraudulent activities.