AARP Pennsylvania

If there is one thing everyone should understand, it is that “scammers” are career criminals skilled at the art of manipulation, and no one is immune. These crooks target people of any age; in fact, 41% of those who reported a fraud loss to the Federal Trade Commission in 2023 were under the age of 30. So, what can a person do if they experience fraud?

AARP Pennsylvania has again partnered with PCN to bring you a monthly series of programs throughout 2024 centered on issues important to Pennsylvanians 50-plus. The series - "Focus on Aging Adults" - will feature guest experts joining with AARP leaders to discuss legislative and policy issues that impact older Pennsylvanians and their families.

AARP Pennsylvania is teaming up with the Allegheny Land Trust this spring to offer a 50+ FREE walking series to explore the beautiful outdoors of Allegheny County. Geared for those ages 50+, an Allegheny Land Trust educator will lead participants in hiking Land Trust properties over moderate terrain and distances. We’ll take plenty of breaks to stop and learn about local flora and fauna.

Step into the past with AARP and celebrate America’s rich history through our exclusive series of free virtual events in partnership with the Museum of the American Revolution. Engage with stories of liberty, equality, and self-government, and discover the diverse narratives that shaped our nation. These events are perfect for history enthusiasts of all ages and should not be missed.

One of the oldest scams around involves a criminal getting hold of one of your checks and forging the payee and the amount. Usually this is done by “washing” the check with chemicals to remove the real information you have written on it. Today, with access to new technologies, criminals are “cooking” checks by creating fake versions of real checks using computer programs. These “cooked” checks can be manipulated digitally and either printed or deposited electronically, saving the crook a lot of mess and hassle.

The Fresh Eats Cooking Series is in collaboration with Phipps’ Culinary Arts education program. Chef Emily Larsen will lead each demo-style class that will expand your culinary skills as she demonstrates how to use familiar favorites from the garden in bold new ways. The series will include menus and downloadable ingredient lists so you can prepare your entrée along with Chef Larsen or simply watch her techniques and create your meal at another time.

This February, AARP Pennsylvania proudly participates in Cupid Crew, a heartwarming campaign to spread love and joy to older adults within our communities. With dedicated events planned in York, Pittsburgh, Lancaster, Philadelphia, and Lehigh Valley, our volunteers will deliver roses to older adults as a symbol of our appreciation and respect for their invaluable contributions to society.

The past two years have seen an explosion of crypto currency scams which has led many people to ask the same question - how? After all, crypto currency is something most people don’t understand, and those who do follow it know that it is very volatile, completely unregulated, and has no protection for investors. So, given all of that, how are people losing billions a year to crypto scams? If we had to pick someone to blame (besides the criminals), it might be Cupid.

AARP Pennsylvania State Director Bill Johnston-Walsh provided a statement in response to Governor Josh Shapiro's 2024-2025 budget address.

If we really want to keep ourselves - and our money - safe from fraud, we must all come to terms with one thing: our personal information is likely already out there. Many entities have our personal information – credit card and bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, and health-related information – and data breaches have most likely exposed it. So, what can we do to protect ourselves after the fact?